Opinions on installing A motors in B bodies

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hemichuck

hemichuck

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I picked up a 1966 Plymouth Belvedere II 4 door last year and it has a real weak 400 in it and Im trying to decide if I want to stay big block in it or switch back to a small block I already have. This car was an original 318 car and of course in B bodies dont require a K member swap to install either one. Considered building a 440 that I already have but I would have to buy parts for, or putting in this 408 Magnum small block which is already built. When I was a kid nobody put small blocks in B bodies but in reality they are not much heavier than an E body with a small block. Anybody else have one that would care to share their opinion?
 
I don't know why not. In the early seventies when we had the FIRST gas crunch, I put a low miles 71` 340 into my 70 V code RR. I loved it. Still fun to drive, got 17 1/2 MPG on the highway, and would still tease stock 383 RRs This of course is BEFORE we had the dubya dubya dubya, so I had to figure all this out. Had to turn out the center hole in the bell to fit the 18 spline gearbox retainer, and had to shim the driver side 318 bracket for the 340. I had 318 single exhaust!!! on it until I could afford a set of headers for the car.

Previous owner (a friend of mine) when the RR was nearly new

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A day with friends at our RADAR shop. I didn't know the owner of the shaker hood Cuda, he was a "friend of a friend." The black 426 64, and the limelight RR are mine. In between is a then friend and his 68 RR

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And the 340, an old picture just after it was installed. I was BROKE!!! No money for awhile, for headers, valve covers, or anything else!! Look at that PLASTIC FILTER!!! This was a 20K mile 71 340 from a junkyard, I think I paid 450 for it and he threw in the 318 exhaust. This was because I "figgured" the A body exhaust would not fit the RR

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Nothing wrong with a small block. But, you will need to change the transmission also. Then if it's a 904 trans, you will need a new driveshaft. The exhaust is gonna be different, the kickdown linkage might be. and probably some other stuff too. If you want simple, put another big block in it.
 
The 340 Roadrunners were not uncommon considering I have heard of them and I am no fan of the B body snobbery.
 
pishta said:
The 340 Roadrunners were not uncommon considering I have heard of them and I am no fan of the B body snobbery.
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snobbery!??? not near as bad a E body snobbery!?? ha...... I've had many of both and yes there is a basic difference in the folks! lol kinda funny to me.
I have a 67 i'm working on right now, I have had most every engine combo usually is stock form.... I want a BB in my B bodies, just me..... only exception is a poly in an early B, ( would love a built one!!!!!!!! with the new intakes, etc).....
 
The 440 I have is a .030 over short block with the low compression pistons. Parts I do have for it are a new 499 lift hydraulic cam and a Edelbrock torker 440 intake and a set of sheet metal valve covers. Parts I dont have are Timing chain, heads,headers and a few other nick knacks. The 408 is a magnum style motor with a 525 lift hydraulic roller, Edelbrock heads, Harlan Sharp roller rockers, an Edelbrock Performer RPM air gap, mopar Performance wide valve covers and a holley 750 double pumper or I do have a Hughs RPM air gap port injection intake if I can wire in some kind of computor. I also have a couple of sets of headers and 3 new small block 727 transmissions and everything else to bolt one in so I dont have to buy much for the small block. Being a 4 door the car dont have a lot of value to anyone except me. I bought it because it was the same body that I used to street race back in the 70's with a 426 Hemi and automatic. I dont have any hemis right now so I cant build a replica of what I used to have.
 
I'm a big block guy but the small block with the 4" crank will make good torque and will power that b-body.
 
Here's a couple more, interior is already done, Texas car so it's not rusty. Slap on some paint and wheels.

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hemichuck said:
The 440 I have is a .030 over short block with the low compression pistons. Parts I do have for it are a new 499 lift hydraulic cam and a Edelbrock torker 440 intake and a set of sheet metal valve covers. Parts I dont have are Timing chain, heads,headers and a few other nick knacks. The 408 is a magnum style motor with a 525 lift hydraulic roller, Edelbrock heads, Harlan Sharp roller rockers, an Edelbrock Performer RPM air gap, mopar Performance wide valve covers and a holley 750 double pumper or I do have a Hughs RPM air gap port injection intake if I can wire in some kind of computor. I also have a couple of sets of headers and 3 new small block 727 transmissions and everything else to bolt one in so I dont have to buy much for the small block. Being a 4 door the car dont have a lot of value to anyone except me. I bought it because it was the same body that I used to street race back in the 70's with a 426 Hemi and automatic. I dont have any hemis right now so I cant build a replica of what I used to have.
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Well, if you have most of what you need to put the small block in, it just comes down to personal preference...
 
Nothing wrong with a small block in a b-body, but with the weight, I would recommend sticking with 340 or 360 to get the heavier body going...
 
It probably would be easier to freshen up the 400 that's in it now or the 440 while using up what the 400 has left.
 
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