I have a 71 Dart 225. I just found a 74 Dart 318 for sale for $500. I am really new to this, but what would be involved in putting that 318 in my 71 Dart? Also, would I be able to take the front end out of the 74 and put it in my 71 because I would really like disk brakes?

Swap the V8 k-member from the '74 into the '71. You will need to use the '74s radiator also. Everything else is bolt-on between the '74 and '71.

BlindLizard.....get the car. The swap is not a weekend affair, but is well worth it, at least the disc brake swap is). You'll have to do one of two things to drop the 318 into your '71. You can get conversion mounts from a company called Schumaker's, or you'll have to swap over the front crossmember from the '74 to your '71. The xmembers are different between 6's and V-8's. If you do swap the engine over, don't forget to swap the torsion bars, as the slant bars are a bit springy for a daily driver. They are a good trick for drag race weight transfer, though.

The disc swap is pretty straightforward, but the front spindles and upper control arms are different between disc and drum cars. This requires you to swap the upper control arms and everything else down to, (and including) the lower ball joint. You'll also have to swap out the master cylinder and proportioning valve, as well. The wheel lug pattern is on a larger circle, so you'll want to swap the rear end, too, so you won't have to carry two spares. It'll also give you a HUGE selection of aftermarket wheels, too.

The rest of us here would just as soon see you keep the slant in the car, but go ahead and upgrade the rest with discs and large bolt pattern, but all of us will wish you good luck on your A-body. Try to keep us posted, and come back a couple times a week. It's a good site, with lots of good info, not just slant stuff.

Roger

Thanks guys that is a big help!! I think I'll go check out the 74 tonight.

To convert to a V8 you will need lot's of parts, a "donor car" is the way to go on this.
Note that the engine and transmission will have to be swapped, the trans case is different.

As noted, this is all do-able but it is a lot of wrenching work, I would not recommend this as a job for the "beginner mechanic".
DD

I was a heavy equipment mechanic in the Air Force about 6 years ago. I just have never done anything like changing engine types

I did this exact swap ('74 front end into '71 Dart) a few months ago (but kept the slant). I ended up swapping to the later slant K-member to run the factory front sway bar (which passes through a "slot" in the later K-member) and also to get the later "spool" engine mounts (better than the earlier "bisquits"). Also swapped in the 8-1/4" rear end in with the bigger rear drums and BC. Much better stopping power. I miked the rotors and they'd never even been turned (like new for a boneyard price)! I recommed the higher-priced, Raybestos semi-metallic pads and a reman. MC. Also redid all the bushings with PST poly-graphite while I had it apart, and upgraded to MP electronic ignition kit.

Donor car in your driveway is the way to go alright. I had to use parts from 3 cars in 2 different yards.


---sixpuppy