1977 Volare Road Runner bought new in 1978. It's an F-body but I still love it! I'm hoping to get some ideas and possibly give some advice to anyone that has one of the FMJ Road Runners. It's currently set up with a 413 big block I dropped into the car in 1980 but put it into storage when I entered the Air Force. It's back now but dismantled. I'll get it done someday.
Greg55_99 Intro
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quikbird
Well-Known Member
welcome. I remember as a young adult avidly poring over the brochures for those cars.
Thanks for the welcome! As I said, I bought this car new in early 1978 as a leftover. It had a 318 with overdrive 4 speed transmission. It was pretty weak actually. In those days everybody wanted a "Smokey and the Bandit" Trans Am so going with the Road Runner was a leap of faith on my part. Not long after I got it, I swapped out the 318 for a low miles 360 I found in a boneyard and put 70 340 heads on it with a Competition Cam. I also swapped out the overdrive for a real A883 and added headers. Ran that way for a while then swapped in a 70 B body 8 3/4 rear with a 3.55 sure grip. Ran good like that until 1981 when gas got high so I bought an 81 Dodge Omni Charger as my daily driver but kept the Road Runner. I wanted more and found a guy selling a motorhome 413 with less than 2000 miles on it because the motorhome burned down. Engine was good. Word of advice. Leave the motorhome 413's alone and go for a 440 if you can. I wound up swapping everything out of the 413 with 440 parts and still wound up with a nice 413. Money I would have been better off spending for the extra cubes. Just sayin'. Anyway, the bottom fell out of the economy by 1982 so I put the Runner in storage and joined the Air Force. I took it out of storage in 2008 and now it's in my garage in pieces. I'll get it together one of these days.
Danomt
Well-Known Member
Welcome from Montana :wave:
I think a 410 small block with about 600hp would make your runner a force to contend with...... all it takes is money......
I think a 410 small block with about 600hp would make your runner a force to contend with...... all it takes is money......
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Welcome. I don't recall ever seeing a RB transplanted into a F-Body. Sounds interesting. Probably a neat set-up with fairly easy starter & header access with the transverse torsion bar. Throw some pics up if you have any.
69hemibeep
Sponge Bob Square Wheels
Welcome aboard!
Russ69Runner
Well-Known Member
Welcome aboard. We salute you for your service. Glad your back and going to work on that runner. Sounds like a project. Like the rest of us let's see some Pic's and keep us informed what your doing. Russ. :flag:
Coyote
Well-Known Member
Welcome aboard. Unique ride! As much as I like B/RB power plants, IMO in the smaller car a killer LA just might be the way to go without the extra weight up front. Of course, it's your car , do what YOU want!