273 swap to 318/ build, cost, potential, daily driver

barbee6043 said

I understand N.D. countryside is not highly populated!but maybe you are in a city. Try to meet some local Mopar guys and put the word out you are in search of a "fill in the blank" good running stock Mopar engine. Network!!!! It has worked for decades in our hobby. That is the path of less $$$. Find (make) a friend with a car he can take you for a ride in and see if it's drivetrain is something you want.

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Your timing is impeccable! Through networking a friend of mine just found on FBMP a 1997 dodge 5.2 magnum 4 hours away from me for $100. 230k miles, needs complete rebuild. Compared to my already questionable 273… would THIS 97 5.2 be a healthy candidate in having the machine shop do a stock build on. Convert from efi to carburetor with electric fuel pump. Address any transmission or rear end issues and continue with the build?

I feel that maybe I haven’t dug deep enough or researched enough to find someone’s previous build dos-donts on this exact setup. Maybe I’m missing the article and or post. But for that drive and $100 for a magnum 318 seems like a good starting point??? Not in a rush, I don’t need THIS engine RIGHT NOW and I can continue to look for another, possibly better condition or more information, motor. Thanks!