1974 Plymouth Roadrunner

hjworton · Post by **hjworton** » Sun Feb 10, 13 10:01 pm

Not sure she'll fit in even with those terrible cans removed. It's all covered in a foot of snow now anyhow...

steveo · Post by **steveo** » Mon Feb 11, 13 11:57 am

R.RUNNER wrote:
steveo wrote:nice looking RR

Thanks Steve

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hjworton · Post by **hjworton** » Wed Mar 13, 13 9:52 pm

So, thinking about what I'm doing with my beloved RR. Having spoken with various members - Carl, Mossy68, drewcrane, Adam - I've formulated a bit of a plan; the 318 is cool but a little more push would be good. DaveBishop has a 360 which sounds like a good plan - will go in without any major hassles... Small Block as a noob will be a good compromise for the road I'd think ? So, given that I decide on that, would you guys think my manual 3 speed is OK to stick with or would it be worth going 4 speed or Auto ? How difficult might that be ?

The other thing I've realised is that although the RR is currently lifted, I'd like to bring things down, providing its not too costly or complex... I found a pic of a 73 that has the stance I like, I'll link a pic somewhere ASAP.

Colour I'm still intending to go back to the original KJ6 Avocado Gold Metallic with black stripe.

Any advice and/or opinions are valued as usual.

hjworton · Post by **hjworton** » Wed Mar 13, 13 9:55 pm

Blurry pics of the look I like...

http://s1283.beta.photobucket.com/user/ ... ry%20shots

I can see this RR has very wide rear rubber, that's not gonna happen with mine, the look is right IMO though.

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Wed Mar 13, 13 10:12 pm

That particular car has been tubbed, so not typical.
Try this link for ideas, 50 pages of 71-74 B bods!

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforu ... he-71-74-s

Carl · Post by **Carl** » Wed Mar 13, 13 10:19 pm

340 might be a better engine as its better to tune than a 360 which is a truck engine. Actually the 340 has a slightly bigger bore 4.040 than the 360 which is 4.000, but a shorter stroke and is higher revving.

I would go for a 4 speed box over 3 speed but not sure how easy the conversion would be. You would probably need to change the bell housing to a 4 speed, gear box mounts may be different as im guessing the prop probably is too, also you may need to modify the floor pan and reversing light switch and maybe the speedo cable. Others who know a bit more about this conversion may be able to help better.

mas · Post by **mas** » Thu Mar 14, 13 6:57 am

I suppose it depends on what sort off build the 360 is, standard or a hot build

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Thu Mar 14, 13 10:53 am

I'd like to know who has a stash of 340's

360 is the easier option. Dave Bish knows everything about SB's...

DaveBishop · Post by **DaveBishop** » Thu Mar 14, 13 11:01 am

Hi Carl
The only problem with the 340 is finding one the are like rocking horse poo to find. The 360 is as easy to tune as the 340 apart from the crank, pistons and the size of the inlet valves all the parts interchange. If I was changing the gearbox I would go auto as finding a good 4 speed at a right price could be difficult.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Thu Mar 14, 13 11:03 am

The 360 is not a bad engine at all. They take a decent overbore and you can get stroker kits to produce 426 cubic inches.

That is not a bad displacement for a little lightweight (for iron) engine.

Low rpm torque is what you want for a street driven car anyway.

http://www.hughesengines.com/Index/prod ... rtid=23812

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Thu Mar 14, 13 11:04 am

Look at these numbers....

http://www.hughesengines.com/TechArticl ... 272006.php

RobTwin · Post by **RobTwin** » Thu Mar 14, 13 12:26 pm

Agreed - 360 & auto would be the easiest option.

But you cant beat a BB in a B-body

Lowering the car would be a vast improvement too

And I'm always for keeping, or going back to the stock colour, if you have the opportunity. If you ever do choose to sell, original colour always attracts more ££££ than a non-original colour. Unless it's a wild custom, then the colour's the least of your worries

Dave81 · Post by **Dave81** » Thu Mar 14, 13 12:45 pm

Look forward to the progression on this as i'll be going the same route at some point!

hjworton · Post by **hjworton** » Thu Mar 14, 13 12:50 pm

I'm hoping to have most of what I'm doing done by the end of summer....we'll see how that goes.

Dave81 · Post by **Dave81** » Thu Mar 14, 13 1:17 pm

hjworton wrote:I'm hoping to have most of what I'm doing done by the end of summer....we'll see how that goes.

Sounds good.
Why not drive it through summer to the shows and events and then take it off the road in Sept.......Your choice, just a suggestion as these things have a habbit of taking longer than expected!