engine swap out questions

[TA69]

hey, first time post here
i drive a 1972 dodge dart swinger with a slant six. i want to start building it up. I've told myself before i do anything i need a v8 in there. i was just wondering how much of a project is this? if anyone has links that go into detail, that would be awesome. my friend said it would be super easy if we could use the original transmission. any thoughts? i'm a pretty big newbie at this, and i'm not looking to set any 1/4 mile records, just want a sweet car.
TA69

['67'cuda]

well first how big of a v-8 do you want and the tranny might be alittle tought if you get a different motor because of the power gain and it might not fit the motor (unless most trannys are the same, havent had too many experiences with that) but that car will kick some ass when your done MOPAR OR NO CAR

[BleedDodge]

Try and buy the motor and transmission together, it's simpler. You'll need a V8 k-member with mounts, or a motor with mounts still stuck on it.

In all honesty, you should forget what I just said and keep that slant six in there. If all motors were like that one, nobody would be buying new cars. That's why things are meant to break these days...

[Rollin67GT]

get a 360 or a 318 there are tons and they are easy to build, as for the v-8 k frame just go with schumacher the mounts they have let you keep the /6 k frame

[Danmc77]

It's real easy. Just get an engine, and a bell housing and drop it in. You can go to Year One and buy the appropriate engine wiring harness to make wiring easy. I don't know what trans you have, but you might be able to just use a V8 bell housing without doing anything else. The only thing that might be a problem is the front suspension, unless the Dart has HD suspension. But you can go to any swap meet and get HD torsion bars for a dart.

If you get a used engine, I would recommend a rebuild. It's really not that hard. There are plenty of books out there that walk you through step by step. At least freshen up the top end by replacing gaskets and rebuild the carb. Working at an average speed, a first-time mechanic can rebuild an engine in a few days.

[Danmc77]

Oh yeah, and like Rollin67GT said, you need the right engine mounts. You can change the k member, but that is a pain in the ass. Just get the ones from Shumacher to convert to a V8.