Small block to big block swap.....?'s

[aris_unlimited]

Hey guys, as the title says. I have some questions lol. My car was originally a 318, but alas I no longer have the motor and had the fortune to pick up a 440 for not too much. So the quest begins lol. Anyways from some research I have done I have heard about the big blocks having different suspension from the small blocks and maybe even using a different k-member.

So what (if anything) do I need to do to the stock suspension so it can handle the added weight of a 440? Also do I need to change the k-member or will it be ok? I am going to turn the 440 into a six pack.....don't know if that will make much of a difference on required height, thus influencing the k-member question. Anyways those are the questions for now, thanks for any help  .

[Chryco Psycho]

you can use the same k frame , the only real difference is the skid plate welded to the bottom of the K frame to protect the deeper 6 qt pan , you will normally require a larger rad & it will have the hose flanges on the opposite side unless you have the 73 later 440 that has the right side lower hose water pump housing. You should use a .96 or 1" torsion bar for the extra weight & there are re-inforcement plates that can be welded to the lower control arms  . The 6 pack will fit under the bulge hood . I would recommend the poly lock style mounts so they cannot be pukked apart & Schumakers has mount kits available if you do not have the correct block adapters .
Welcome BTW

[aris_unlimited]

Ok, didn't have too hard of a time finding that stuff. Is there anything else I need to do? Different shocks or anything like that? Also where can I find the reinforcement plates for the lower control arms? That is the one piece I couldn't find any info on.

you will normally require a larger rad & it will have the hose flanges on the opposite side unless you have the 73 later 440 that has the right side lower hose water pump housing

If you mean a 73 or later 440, I am covered I got one from a 74 lol. If not, please clarify  .
Also thanks tons for the info, this will go a long way toward helping me with my project.

[Chryco Psycho]

I think Roseville or Mancini has the re-inforcement plates , these are not a factory part but are a good idea or you can just make you own if you are good at fabricating .
the early water pumps all had the lower hose on the left side going over the lower rad hose , after 73 they switched to the right side for the lower hose , I still recommend a larger rad unless ytiou have a 26" rad in the car now but the 73 up water pump has the lower hose on the right side the same as the small blocks did .

[aris_unlimited]

Oh yeah I am definitely getting a new radiator lol. I don't even have one right now lol. Like I said the guy was in the beginning stage of his project and the parts he couldn't use were scrapped. I am definitely going to find the best radiator/electric fan combo I can for this........any suggestions would be great lol.

Also I did find those reinforcing plates for the lower control arms. Thanks tons for that info.

[Chryco Psycho]

a 6 or 7 blade clutch fan will do a far better job of keeping things cool over any electric fan
Be Cool makes a good alum rad or you can just have a brass rad built , I prefer he brass rads , depend on the look you want .
Are you going to do a complete build on the 440 ?

[aris_unlimited]

I do like the aluminum radiators and have long been a fan of becool's equipment. You are probably right about the clutch fan doing a better cooling job, I was just looking to free up a couple extra ponies, but don't want to risk it at the expense of overheating.

As for the 440 I am planning on rebuilding it, and having a local performance shop go through it. My goal is 500 hp or up.

[Chryco Psycho]

You may want to look into a 440Source Stroker kit to take it up to 512 CI

[Hopalong]

I have not had much trouble with electric fans as long as they are properly shrouded, like a mech fan.  Those fans that you zip tie to the rad work o.k. but will work much better with a shroud to direct the all (or most) of the air trough the fan(s).

[punisher72]

Im looking into swapping my 318 with a 440 as well Hopalong,so im going through the same process. Im doing the research on parts and slowly but surely finding the $$$ to complete all this.