Opinions please.

I have a 74 Ralley (real ralley car) originally w/ 318 auto air.
I do NOT have the original motor.
This car is a super clean California car.. fully restored.
Question is this...
Should I go thru a 1971 318 that I have to put in it..
OR , Should I install a 440 that I have ?

What would do better on resale when that time comes ?

Most people are going to want a 440.

If it were mine I would build a 408 out of a 360.

gen 3 hemi

Stroked small block.

Depends on what your intention with the car is. Full street car - small block, street/strip - 440. Could use a 318 or 360 and build it very nicely for the road and dress up as a 318 for a "original" look.

4" stroke crank in your 318 with ported factory 360 heads or a set of edelbrocks if you don't care about non-stock look. Tell everybody some 318s just run better than others.

Magnum headed 408 Dress to look like a 318. Can even use LA valve covers.

Well built 408 will make an easy 500 hp and be much lighter than a big block. It'll handle way better than a big block, keeping true to the ralley package

"This car is a super clean California car.. fully restored."

By fully restored are you saying the engine bay still retains its OEM appearance? If so, I would not consider changing to an RB.

Stroked LA all the way.

Stroker 360.

Sheldon

E-bodies handle WAAAAY better with a small block. Gen3 might be a way cool upgrade. Have you seen those engine/trans. running on a pallet deals?

You don't have the original engine so it'll never really be "restored".

GIII Hemi, there's no question. Remove at least 200# of ugly fat off the front end, double the mileage, low maintenance powertrain. What's not to like?

R.

Whatever you choose I'll suggest you build it well so it can be effectively and pleasantly driven. Careful specs, careful machining and preferably quench and decent compression for both fun and fuel mileage on pump gas.

A well built 318, 360, stroker small block or big block or Hemi. What you want.

I went with a BB. 496B, Al heads, manifold and WP. Also Sanden AC compressor. It probably weighs less than the iron 318 I replaced. With suspension upgrades it handles pretty darn well. Pics are from an X country drive - >4000 miles in 9 days - and the road course.

completely stock.. all the way to all A/C components in place.
Fully painted.. looks nicer than showroom new.

Then that answers the question. A completely stock engine bay is very difficult to replace. The fact you are starting with one means it should be retained.

LA all the way.

...and I'm into MODIFIED E bodies!!! Even I wouldn't change it.

318 with aluminum heads/intake/headers, a decent cam and a beefed up 904 or A500. It would be awesome and light.

The important question is; What are your going to do with the car once the motor is in it?

I see so many "restored" or "hot rod" cars that sit in garages and seldom see the light of day, that I'm baffled. Why did they spend all that money and not drive the car?

Put in whatever motor in it that will encourage you to get the car out on the road and enjoy it, and let others enjoy it.

Personally, I'd do a mild performance upgrade on a 318 and drive the wheels off of it. A mild, fun to drive, 318 stands a better chance of getting driven than a bone stock 318, or a monster street brawler motor with bad street manors. Gene

So the original 318 for my 70 Sport Satellite was long gone . . . I built a 360 to live in it's place . . . although it looks like a "stock" 318 (with a 4bbl carb though - and air cleaner from 72 340 with big vac operated flap on right rear side) ... I drive my car, and yes it all works - a/c, and cruise control, etc. . . .

As was said, what are you wanting to do with your car ??? You want to go fast, then build whatever engine you want. You want to look stock/go fast, build small block stroker to look like 318. You want to enjoy your car, drive it all over the place, get decent gas mileage, leave the 318 and just drive and enjoy . . . it all comes down to what you want . . . you gotta build the car for you . . . .

Good Luck,

Cheers,

Mark

I would stroke the 318 or find a 360, small block E-bodies are awesome.

<<<<runs 11's....everyone thinks it's a big block or Hemi until we pop the hood. Full street car.

Being it is a 318 Rallye, it is on the fence as to have a better resale with a 318 vs a 440. If it was a 360 Rallye, the answer would be clear, keep it OEM as possible. If it was a standard Challenger, a 440 would likely have a better resale.

Although there are buyers that would prefer a 440, I think most prefer OEM or at least an OEM look. If you make any changes, make ones that are easily reversed.

If it were mine, I'd pull and save the original drivetrain, pick up another 318, stroke it to 390 and detail under the hood to appear OEM as possible like a12rag's Satellite above.