expert help needed (my first post)
I wanted a 440 in my Duster and I ignored all of the don't do it "because of this" posts, and leaned into "this is how I did" it posts
I am 52 but I am only 10 years deep in doing my own stuff, and only 3 years doing Mopar stuff.
It is nowhere near as expensive as people are trying to tell you if you do it right and have patience. Yes Mopar stuff is a premium, however, every city has a Mopar hoarder or two or five that will let stuff go for decent prices from time to time.
The trick is doing as much of it yourself as you can.
Youtube, google, this forum, facebook A body and mopar pages, Brewers, Mancini and of course Schumacher
Getting the 440 to work in my Duster was the coolest thing I have ever done myself, I would have felt like I settled had I gone small block.
The two most terrifying cars near my house growing up was a 73 Mach 1 and a 71 Duster with a 440. I bought and build a 73 Mach 1 but stupidly sold it a few years ago, and now I have my real dream car in my 71 Duster.
Nothing against small blocks, nothing against small block A bodies, I have always wanted a 440 Duster end of story.
OP, whatever you want to end up with there is help here for sure. I don't know much at this point but i can tell you I could swap and A body to a big block in a weekend or less by myself which I am pretty proud of, and I am more than happy to pass on what i have learned and mistakes to avoid.
I really wish all of the salty dogs who at this point in their vast knowledge have forgotten more than I know wanted to do the same....