440 duster

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DodgeFreak

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NOt sure where to put it...so mods move it to where ever...i've bought a truck with a 440 police motor in it..rebuilt and tranny rebuilt...i'm going to have a special made drive shaft for the long tail 727. also i'm using truck motormoounts going to weld them in the duster but going to lower them...will i have to cut the tunnel out for the bb bell housing or will it clear...will i have to run a hood scoop on this car and cut a hole in the hood to get it to clear the aircleaner??? if you've done this swap could you tell me what problems you ran into and what you didn't..i'm doing this on a budget...i'm 16 and this will be my 4th car\truck that i own and can't spend a bundle on parts..thanks.
 
This is a VERY easy swap. The trans tunnel and hood will be fine. If you use a tall carb spacer and/or a tall air filter you may need a hood scoop though. The 6 pac scoop always looks cool on a Duster.

If you are going to make or modify some motor mounts you might want to get the headers first, just to make sure they still fit right.
Schumacher makes motor mounts for putting a big block into your Duster for $150.00-180.00, here's the link http://www.engine-swaps.com/

As for headers, there's a few different ones for this swap, I like the pro-parts ones because they make good HP, and they don't have tire or ground clearence problems like some of the other ones. There a slip tube setup which makes installing them very easy, but you will have to cut some holes in each of the inner fender wells for a couple of the tubes.

Your radiator will probably need to be beefed up for better cooling and you might want to switch the inlets and outlets to the other sides if you decide to just use a stock small block one, to make routing the lower hose easier. Or you could just go with a good aftermarket aluminum one.
Good luck
 
if your definatley going to make your own mounts make sure you get that motor as colse as possible to the stock location.... i personally would use the shumacher mounts or engine plate or the DC k frame... that way you won't have to touch the hood or trans tunnel.. and like stated above go check out www.bigblockdart.com there is no other site with more info on this swap.... it is pretty straight forward and not too may surprises but some things you will want to know going in....
 
If your Duster is a V8 car 73 or newer all you need are late model spool mounts and make your own DC K frame. Info is at Bigblockdart.com
Years ago I started my project and couldnt afford the K frame, I had a 75 fury with a 360 I was junking so I cut off the spool type K frame tabs. Used the new mounts with the tabs hanging down to locate mine. The trans mount will give you the correct for/aft position. Mark the center position of the current engine and match it up. They are offset to the right side. The heigth of the crank is listed at Schumakers website. This is by far the cheapest way,buy the spool mounts used and replace the rubber with poly inserts. Earlier cars can be fitted with the later K frame but sway bars are different so get that too if needed. Smallblock torsion bars might work if you dont corner too fast. 6 cyl bars ok for Drag race use.
 
Well...looks like i need torsion bars because mines a Slant car and i'm going to be driving on the road..i might break down and buy new torsion bars..also its a 74 duster..i haven't had a chance to look through bigblockdart yet..i'll do that now..thanks
 
If your cars a 74 then Schumacher would be the easiest way to go. Use the link that ProStreetDuster put in his reply. The $150 will be well worth the headache and irratation you'd get trying to make them yourself. JMO :wink:
 
Yeah..i'm reallly thinknig about going that way just breaking down and buying new motor mounts...also........someone i was talking to mention putting a subframe under it...think it needs it??? will i twist the body? also will 8 3\4 axles work??
 
anyone have torsion bars for this that i can buy used??? will small block motor mounts fit on a bigblock engine??
 
I have the torsion bars that came out of my Duster, but shipping from Hawaii would be cost prohibitive. Small block and Big block mounts are different, unless you have a chevy :D
 
dang it...what i thought would be a make motor mounts, drive shaft and hang a rearend easy bigblock swap is turning into a major little stuff can't find used pain in the butt swap...it won't be to bad..i just was wanting this done before prom....nott gonna happen..i'll just run a slant 6 till next summer...or do the swap real quick in the winter...i really just need a V8 K member and bigblock torsion bars and it would make it a ton easier...thanks for the help and info guys...
 
If you really want to do a big block conversion, buy the mounts from Schumacher. For $150 + $12 shipping you'll have the engine sitting right where it needs to be without having to buy and swap out a k member. The tranny mounts will line up, the headers will fit, minimum headache and irritation. You also have to remember the inner fenderwells on Mopars are welded in and a part of the overall structure so trying to get aroung a big block to weld the mounts up in place will be a major pain if at all possible. So unless you have a jig with a k member and tranny crossmember in the proper location, trying to make mounts is a major undertaking. So unless you're making a motor plate or "elephant ears" I'd just buy mounts. You won't even have to change your k member. If you decide to make your own I don't think it will be a real quick swap. But who knows, you might have some ideas that we never tried so take lots of pics. Which ever way you decide to go, a big block a-body is one hell of a ride :thumrigh:
 
Well..i have the duster...but my plans might have changed...my uncle has a demon with a roll cage and fuel cell V8 kmember subframe connectors..springs relocated..the works..its needs the int. put in but its ready for racing..a street\strip car..so i might get it and put the bigblock in it instead since its a V8 car tobegain with..we will see if i can get it then i'll up date you guys..thanks for everything.
 
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