Basically all the Mopar muscle engines were well built. 318, 340, 360, 383, 440, 426, ect. Really none of them better or worse than a SBC or BBC, it's just a matter of opinion.

With the exception of the 318 of course. Everyone knows that while they were no powerhouses, they were hard to beat when it comes to reliabilty.

 

The 318 is fawking bulletproof. It will WRECK a 305. If it weren't for the fact that I cant get shlitz for MOPAR parts in junkyards up here, I would have restored an old Dodge instead. One of the biggest reasons I chose a small block chevy was because every auto store in America carries parts for them.

I drove a 79 Plymouth Volare' for years! Back then (92-97 ish) the world if 'internet parts' didnt really exist. Even finding a store with switches and ignition parts for that car could be a beyotch. Gawd I miss that ugly old car. I tell ya this much though. When I first brought my 305 Camaro home I expected it to drive like that 318 did.....not even close.

 

Honestly I would have chosen an older Mopar for my project. However as you said SBC parts are cheap, and easy to come by, as are the parts for our 3rd gens.

 

The 383 Mopar is basically the same big block used un the 440 wedge and 426 "Elephant" Hemi. It is heavy for its displacement.

 

All i can say is wow! You can get an adapter to bolt a th-350 to any engine, but motor mounts and exhaust would be the hard part!!!

 

I would have done a mopar as well for my project, in fact I ran across my car, after looking at a 440 dart!

 

fail..

 

So much fail lately...

 

fail status: UP

success status: DOWN

 

He he. You guys done failed him.....