318 what to do,what to do....

[788man]

Hello everybody this is my first post here.

I just got a 72 that was originally a 318/904 car with 2.73 rear end. The motor is missing along with all the the accessories ie: ps pump/ac, etc.Ultimately I will go the 440/727 route but for the immediate future I want some advice. I have about 4 1971 Challenger 318's offered to me to drop in there. The best looking motor is actually just a long block with no accessories and I do not have a torque converter at all.

I have several questions:
Is there any advantage to starting off with a 71 motor ie: higher compression or steel crank?
I keep reading about 302 heads out of an 87-92 truck should I use them with the earlier shortblock or just use the whole later motor?
I intend to use the summit exhaust and hooker header package, edelbrock 1406 carb w/ performer intake and change the cam.
I have a donor 88 Dakota with a 3.9 v6, will the accessories and brackets/pullies transfer over?
What kind of HP and mileage could I expect from these combo's?
The local pick and pull has a virtual sea of the 87-92 318's

Thanks in a advance

[Nacho-RT74]

I am not THE expert on this but I think I have some opinions !!!


-71 are more powerfull than 72. higher compression of course.

-302 are a great heads to install.

-V6 ? having a V8 to mount ? forgett it, beside I THINK is not a plug and play job.

-don't remember HP numbers but I think 71 and earliers are around 240 HP and 72 and laters around 170. Mileage, dunno I never get worried about that LOL ( I fill the tank with US$2.5 ). Sure with a dakota engine will get better mileage!!! but I don't know what you want to get then with full gas pedal pressed LOL...


BTW, WELCOME!!!

[788man]

I don't want to use the Dakota motor in the Charger. What I'm asking is can I swap over the accessories and brackets ie:alternator, ps pump, a/c as a 3.9 v6 is similiar to a 318? Will the bolt holes and pullies line up right?

[Nacho-RT74]

 OH AH!!! 

I don't think, but some ppl will know better

[71ChallengeHer]

I'm not sure of the mileage on my 71 Chally 318. But I went to a show 1 1/2 hrs away. Down and back , I used a 1/4 tank of gas. It gets great mileage as long as I stay ouy of the 4 barrel.

[70charger_boy]

Welcome to the site, first of all.  Secondly, I don't know why people are so quick to drop the 318 and slam in a 440. 318's are really good motors. I have one in my '70 and have no complaints.  I also have a 318 in my 97 dakota and can tell you that is the best motor I ever had.
If you were going to go with a motor I would go with the '71

[Nacho-RT74]

Welcome to the site, first of all.  Secondly, I don't know why people are so quick to drop the 318 and slam in a 440. 318's are really good motors. I have one in my '70 and have no complaints.  I also have a 318 in my 97 dakota and can tell you that is the best motor I ever had.
If you were going to go with a motor I would go with the '71

318 ARE GREAT AND RELIABLE!!!

and FAR AWAY BETTER than fords and chevies SBs