I have a 1975 Plymouth Duster with a slant six. I also have a 1969 440 engine. Is it possible?

Question

I have a 1975 Plymouth Duster with the 225 slant six engine. My car is all original and has an automatic transmission (I am not sure what model of auto transmission came in this year).

I also have a 1969 440 engine that came out of either a Belvedere or Sattelite (I can't remember which one). I was thinking about selling the motor but was curious about whether or not it is even feasable for me to get it into my duster?

Is this an extensive, difficult and grueling engine swap? I know that my stock transmission might not be compatible, but I do have the trans that came with the 440 engine.

Is this a good project? Is this not worth the effort? Can any of you Mopar guys let me know what I am facing and whether I should abandon any thought of this?

Thanks in advance for your kind help!

Answer 1

Anything is possible; how much do you want to spend? I installed a 383 from a '69 Road Runner in a '65 Dodge Dart..but what a job!!!! You'll probably be better off selling the 440 engine and look for a 340 or 360 (if you want a good running V-8 in the Duster). If I recall correctly, the early Duster came with a 318 V-8, so the small block Chrysler will definitely fit.

I would heartily suggest you don't try to put the 440 in the Duster; it's a LOT of work and in the long run, you probably will just end up with an evil-handling, gas-guzzling, front-heavy car. You'd need to swap the transmission, install a larger rear (8 3/4 Mopar or 9" Ford) amd you'll need to have a driveshaft cut and balanced. It's better if you don't try it!

Answer 2

It can be possible to put in a 1969 440 engine in your '75 Duster and it would be worth the effort, your car would have a heck of a performance with a 440 underneath the hood.

Answer 3

An all original Duster, even a 1975 is going to be worth a lot more with the original drive train!! The 225 was a bulletproof motor, I have seen them go 500,000 miles in taxicab service. You would be better off either selling the 440, or finding a project car to put it into.

Answer 4

I'm going to tell you strait out we did it to one for the track,and it isn't easy at all,everything has to be changed ,your better off with a good 360 built in that one,and sell the 440 ,if it were me id find another project car for the 440, i got two of those right now,and nothing yet to put them in,but you can do what you want to do,but its not going to be easy ,and you do have to cut and weld a few things also,and that's going to destroy the value of the duster and the duster is already worth some money so cutting it up will kill the value of it,good luck with this,i hope this help,s.

Answer 5

Use the trans that came with the 440, use shoemacher mounts, turn the torsion bars up a little, spend some extra cash and get TTI headers. Put an 8 3/4 rear in it and go do some killer burnouts.

Answer 6

This is a very worthwhile project. You would have to use the 440 with the transmission it came with. Researching more online would be the best way to do the swap. I have done at least 6 of these "big block to A-body" swaps. Start here..http://www.engine-swaps.com/

Answer 7

keep it stock !!! the k member will have to be changed regardless if you put in a big or small block, just sell that 440 to somebody , the way dodge prices are now you will get a mitfull for it and will be able to cherry out that duster nicely.

Answer 8

75 Duster

Answer 9

It's very possible if you have a little money saved, you already have the engine and trans, you will need a new 8 3/4 rearend, a new driveshaft, new rear springs and an engine mounting kit, my buddy did this to his dodge demon and he runs 12.49 quarter mile time.

Answer 10

You would have to do alot of cutting and beefing the suspension.I would not. 225 is the only good engine they made. I ran mine on half diesel and gas during a gas shortage. I wanted to add a cam,headers and bigger carb.