swinger 360

If this is truely a tight budget, I would do what you have to do, to get it in, and running reliably. Only look at a running engine to put in, still in the car. Verify the tranny has enough oil, jack up the rear of the car, and while the engine is running, run the trans thru the gears to make sure all 3 work. (manually shift it up, so you know it works in all of them) As fas as the engine's output, a stock 360 will move the car 100% better, even 2bbl. But if it's out, now is the time for some upgrades. the swap meet 4bbl, I'd use a factory iron AVS (68-70 340) and a new Edelbrock 600 cfm. The timing chain has nylon teeth, and no matter what milage, should be replaced. Pull the timing cover, replace the cam with something mild. Summit makes a good cam and lifter kit for this. Add a new timing set. I would also replace the oil pump and pickup with a HV unit, and replace the rear main seal while the pan is off. I'd also add the MP windage tray package. The heads should get new springs (maybe one up from stock) and new valve seals. (these can both be done on a $50 engine stand, no need to pull the heads.) Stick a new filter and gasket in the trans, and new pump and tailshaft seals. Then put it in. I'd get brand new, but cheap headers, regular manifolds will not work int he Dart chassis. You need either V8 dart (273-318 are cheap, but not very good..) or the performance manifolds (340 only, but 2-3 times the cost of cheap headers). You will need the larger radiator from the parts car, and you'll need the Schumacher Creative Services conversion mounts if you are keeping the /6 K frame. The weight of the 2 egnines is similar..The /6 weighs a ton for it's displacement. Save some money for a good set of custom dual exhaust. The rear should hold for a little while, if you drive sanely until you find a 8 3/4. There were several on this site in parts for sale last time I looked, but they dont give them away much anymore...lol. Figure a budget of $1300, and you'll be close with this recipe. above the cost of the parts car of course. It's better to spend a little to get good operating units, then to try and fix them "the right way" after you get them cheap.