hello im new to mopar just bought the valiant for 800 bucks. I got the 6 running for about two weeks then it threw a rod out the side of the block. its ugly.

so v8 swap here i go 318,340,0r 360 either will be great.

i know its gonna be a tight fit heigh wise. has anyone done one latly. i want to know what problems im going to run into. i have fabrication skills as my roots are in circle track racing and toyota rock crawling. so i can do any metal and fab work i should need so dont be hesitant.

thanks mitchell  

Mitch, This swap should be fairly easy, as these cars were avaialble with V-8's. First you need an engine and transmission. Putting it in the car means you need mounts. Contact Schumacher Creative Services, they sell the mounts you need, (engine-swaps.com). Don't forget to adress the cooling system, and the rear end, neither are suited for prolonged life in the car with a V-8.

It's a simple swap that's been done many times.  

Dimensionally, the 318, 340, and 360 are externally the same. I'd look for a 360 as it's the biggest displacement, and thus has the best power potential.

If you plan you use exhaust manifolds, you'll need the ones specifically for an early A-body with the V-8.

I'd contact Schumacher for the mounts, and shop around for an economical set of headers.  

ok i got a set of brand new headers at my disposal and some purple hornys. wow i diidnt know that some valiants came with v8s. like i said new to mopar. so i should not have any clearance issuse with the hood.

i have a set of mounts from a dart i am going to fab up. but if that doesnt work ill check out some new ones.  

i got a price 400 cash for a 318 and tranny out of my buddys dart.

i will also probablly go with a hi_po cam and 4 barrel intake and carb because the 318 has a two barrel on it.so the cam needs to upgraded to run a 650.

there is a few on craigs list because this is a very very budget build. as im a college student. so does anyone have any ideas that are cheap?

how is the 318 in a car as light as the valiant should i be able to make a good power to weight ratio?

oh one more thing what rear end should i run a valiant is preety narrow car?

thanks mitchell  

Sounds like you have all you need for a budget build, the 318 should power the lightweight Valiant pretty well.

For a rear end, I'd consider an 8 3/4. They're tough and you can get one from an A-body. be sure it's a 64 to 66 rear so it will fit. You'll find them in 273 4bbl equipped cars, Formula S Barracudas, or try ebay or Moparts.com.

Good luck.  

Sounds like a great project.  I have done this swap a couple of times.  You will need a V8 center link.  It is lower to clear the oil pan.  If you are going auto-trans, you will need one from a V8.  A 904 works best, because of more clearence for exhaust.  If your going 4-speed, I have a bellhousing and flywheel from a 273.  

I'm interested in the bellhousing and flywheel -- respond to: hweinberg1212@comcast.net with pics and prices. I'm building a 273 to swap out a 65 /6 4spd Barracuda.  

what the heck is a purple horny? sounds sexual, seriously? some 273 darts used the 8 3/4 also  

ha ha purple hornies,that does sound pretty sexual.Those are glass pack type mufflers.I dont think Id run the (purple hornies) get you a good set of chambered muffelers like flo-masters. They build a lot more bottom end and thats something you could use in a small block.Iff your lookin to be a lil LOUD.Run you a 2.5 inch pipe off your header collector to your rear and put some turbo mufflers on the end of your pipe.Make it dump down to the ground.I garantee youll set off some car alarms+ youll have some real usable bottom end for interesting things like, smoke shows etc. I baught some real nice rolled seam turbo type muffs.from summit for about 20 bucks ea. they sound great. Just a thought. Remember though no further than the rear-end