Soon to be getting a /6 72 Dart. KIcking around ideas of an engine swap. Might be able to get a 360 cheap,or use the 400-4bbl I already have in my 78 Doba.

Whats easier as far as swapping? Im assuming the SB?

i thought you sould it already ??

anyway smallblock is the easier swap obviously

I would have to say, the 360 will be an easier fit.
Although a BB Dart is always nice to
putt around in.


Small block
Big Block

Havent even bought it yet,I put some cash down on it today and will pick it up later this week.

Go with the 400. It's an easy bolt-in swap with Schumacher mounts. Low deck BB's fit pretty well.

you likely won't be using the column shifter stuff with a BB. Might get away with it with a SB.

PM Sent about mounts

They both can fit fairly easy. The 360 is even easier to get in and easier to work on once it's in. Also if you are swapping in a factory 360 4bbl motor it will likely make as much hp as a factory 400 4bbl and only a hair less tq. The big block will add a bunch of weight and on top of that you can use a 904 behind the 360 and lose another 50# and they are cheaper to get and build. Mostly I would want to know about how the motors are built before picking one but I would still lean to the SB, that extra weight up front can make an interesting ride going around curves and makes it harder to hook up at the strip. Small blocks fit in A-bodys like a glove.

with the price of gas that slant looks sweeeet!

I've built both and for all round ease and fun factor just build a small block. You will save a bunch of grief and cash. You would be able to keep ac ps and original shifter on the column and exhaust is available at a reasonable price. The big block has an awe factor but it is a load of extra work and extra costs. You won't be able to use a/c. You will have to add a floor shifter and find headers that will need reworking. BB is very hard to work on in an A body. You could always put a cam, headers and 4bbl on the slanty and have some fun.

They're both about as easy. I like the big block.

Like I said,im just kicking the idea around. Sorta like
pipe dreamin". Figured the sb would be easier,since A bodies were optioned with them . Thanks for all the perspectives on the subject.

This question is a joke right? Of course the small block is going to be easier. Everything fits just so much easier with a small block rather than a BB. Everything is just going to be easier and cheaper to do with the small block. Build the 360 to make some power, slap on a 340 pie tin and call it a day.

A 68 340 4spd dart was just as fast (or faster by some acounts) as a 383 dart, 440 wasn't much better.

Headers did tend to level the playing field but they are a nightmare to install and work around on a BB a-body, and the weight still hinders handling and drag race hook up.

Handling isn't hard. It's a myth based on 60s tires.

Quote:

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They were optioned with big blocks, too.

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But the cars were more common with SB engines

I have a 440 Dart!
The small block would be much easier since it could totally stock.
Go to a pull-your-part and get everything needed.
The headers alone for the BB cost more than totally replacing the SM including a JY engine and tranny. Schumacher headers $599.
You could stick with the column shifter and not have to waste $$ on some trashy floor shifter.
And never forget that somehow you have to cool the 440, that will be a challange!
In 2008 I would stick with the /6 if I had it do do all over.
$5000. later and still not a happy camper!