Matthan's 1970 Dodge Charger Project

[Matthan]

Here are a few pictures from my new 1970 Dodge Charger Project. I just purchased this car about 2 months ago so I am really excited about getting it started. I found it out of Columbia, South Carolina. Not really sure what direction I am going to go as of yet I have a 440 or 318 that I could use.

[Matthan]

More Pics

[b5blue]

All right! Another 70 getting saved  (I got one too)

[Rallyecharger]

  Awesome project............don't forget to register it with the '70 Charger Registry.

[Brock Samson]

   440 - that makes it easy don't it?.. keep us posted.. 

[Mefirst]

Build the 440, if you go with the 318 youll just end up kicking yourself in the head later on...

Have fun with it...

/Tom

[Dodge Don]

Hard to tell but it looks reasonably solid. What is the deal with all the crud on the rear floor pan? Flood?

Best of luck on your resto. If you need help on your 70 Charger......http://1970chargerregistry.com/

[Matthan]

I may use the 440, but I have my eye on a 1969 Charger that a older man has in my area since 1972 and I was going to use it in that car. His wife already told me that they would sell it to me so I am just waithing until he is ready to part with it...................................................................................How much more money am I looking at speading if I build the 440 instead of the 318?

[b5blue]

It's not so much the 440...it's all the other stuff to change FROM the 318, I did cam- lifters- springs- retainers- heads cleaned up- bearings- .060 pistons, and probably ended up @ 2200.00 back in the car done, that's machine work, Mopar Performance parts, Speed Pro pistons, gaskets, yada-yada-yada, the cool thing with a small block would be using the newer 518 tranny. I would think you could just get a good newer 360 and tranny combo clean it up and go from there.

[Matthan]

The only reason I say I may go with the 318 is that it pretty much ready to drop in. I know the 440 would be awesome to

[charger_cody]

The only reason I say I may go with the 318 is that it pretty much ready to drop in. I know the 440 would be awesome to

Do us all a great favor and dont get in a hurry. Putting the 440 in it will be better if your looking for a nice driver with some power in it. If the car is going to be a daily driver 7 days a week then 318 will save gas. Sometimes taking the extra time to fix the better motor will be worth it.

Cody

[Brock Samson]

the engines ain't exactly interchangeable, exhausts, tranny, mounts and radiators stuff will be an issue to be decided,.. BTW: i do sugest you use the mini starter whatever combo you choose...

[charger_cody]

the engines ain't exactly interchangeable, exhausts, tranny, mounts and radiators stuff will be an issue to be decided,.. BTW: i do sugest you use the mini starter whatever combo you choose...

[Brock Samson]

not to mention driveshaft length... looks like i mentioned it.. 

[Matthan]

yeah, I have the tranny and the other main parts that i would need to get it going. I have had a 1969 charger with a 440 last year until I sold it. I may build this one to sell and keep the 440 that I have and put it in my next project I am really just working on the body right now, so I will have some time to think about it. I may paint it black with a white or silver bubble bee strip on the rear.

[Matthan]

Will post some new pics tonight

[Matthan]

Here are some Pics

[PocketThunder]

Be sure to evict the bee's!!!!!   

[FLG]

Be sure to evict the bee's!!!!!   

Looks like there long gone! Nice eye!

[super_dave]

In regards to the engine, I would say any money spent going to a 440 is money well spent, and spending money on a 318, well not so good.  If you ever wanted to sell the car, I know I'd be looking for the 440, a 318 is a joke in my mind for a charger nowadays if you have the option of going to a 440. 

[Matthan]

Well that's cool if you think that a (318 in a Charger is a Joke) besides a 318 is a great little motor and I am not going to drag it or anything. The 318 I am putting in it is the original motor so that is why I am doing it. I have a 440 and transmission that I got when I bought the Charger, but I have decided t that I am going to save that for my next project.

[magnum]

Nice project love the 70 Chargers....As for the 318 don't blame you they are a good little motor..I had one in my 73 and it worked just fine......Even better its the original ..

[68coronetGLwannabe]

I agree on the 318. I have one in my 68 coronet and its also the org. motor. it has little leaks every were but every time I want to take a cruise I check all the fluids and go. It is far less tempermental than my BB and great on gas (If that matters). Your car is looking good 

[Matthan]

Thanks

[tan top]

got a project going on there   nothing wrong in keeping it a small block !! check out the crate motors that are out there now 402 ci small block & dress it up to look like a stock 318  , keep the pictures coming dude love looking at stuff like this 

[THE STIG]

If I were in your situation where I had the option to choose between a 318 and a 440 I would take the 440, however the 318 is a very under-estimated engine, very reliable. But contrary to popular belief they are capable of very serious power. Check this link out http://www.popularhotrodding.com/tech/0810phr_chrysler_318_engine/index.html I'd like to do this myself sometime, but I would use a Mopar Purple Cam instead of the Crane or Comp they were talking about in the article.

[rt green]

resale on a 440 charger vs 318 should be considered

[Bakerboys]

Do u know of anyone that has a charger for sale and that not at a stupid price?