what is needed -convert 65 Dart 273 to 340 or 360

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73dart360

73dart360

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I know i will need at least a 8.25 rear and a different drive shaft ,Can someboddy chime in and tell me anything else i might need ,I have a 73 340 block that i might start gathering parts for I want to use stock exhaust manifolds is there any fitment problems ?
 
aren't the 273's still the LA series engine? I would think it would be a mostly basic engine swap with maybe some engine mount issues...
 
I would expect the rear end swap to give you a harder time... drive shaft, U bolts, brake lines - but even that has been done and I'll bet there are parts/kits available
 
You will need a crank reduces for your transmission Torque converter. 1965's have a smaller diameter if you car is an automatic. You didn't say. Also dual exhaust will require the transmission crossmember to be notched for the passenger side exhaust pipe.
 
Great thread idea for a sticky or a "how to" thread. Keep it going for sure.
 
Port match the exhaust manifolds, or use Dakota truck exhaust manifolds or 340 hp manifolds. The 273 driver side motor mount will work but the passenger side motor mount will need for you to weld a tab on it to put another bolt through it. You might also need some washers for spacers. Although the transmission will bolt up, if you are changing the drive shaft you might as well change to a 66 and later V8 transmission that had a slide-in yoke and does not have a bolt on yoke. I would also go with new rear leaf springs (shackles, bushings, bolts) and put stiffer front torsion bars on the car as well as better, bigger brakes to stop the more horsepower that you will be making. Don't forget a radiator that will both cool the engine and have the right Inlet and Outlets on it. Your old one may still work.
You can use the 273 oil pan and pickup tube on a 318 or a 340 to make it fit properly in the K frame, but a 360 car pan may require some minor massaging done to it to get it to fit, like some dents on the right front. Truck pans won't work at all.
You don't need a V-8 steering as you already have it and you don't NEED a notched trans crossmember for dual exhaust, but you can do it.
 
Last edited:
belmateo said:
You will need a crank reduces for your transmission Torque converter. 1965's have a smaller diameter if you car is an automatic. You didn't say. Also dual exhaust will require the transmission crossmember to be notched for the passenger side exhaust pipe.
Click to expand...
 
I have a 360 in my 64. Had to get a little creative with the cross member fitting the oil pan. If using headers instead of stock manifolds be careful of choice for clearing steering column.
 
I had a 340 in my 64 Valiant years ago, no problems or interference around the oil pan. Column shift and header clearance is another issue
 
In an early A the only high flow manifolds that will work well with a bigger motor is the 1960s 340 driver and passenger's manifolds BUT ONLY IF you have manual steering. The 60s 340 driver paired with a 360 magnum passenger manifold will work even better because it gives you easier clearance and access to the down pipe and it's not nearly as expensive.

The 340 manifolds have a 2 1/4" exhaust hole exit while the 273/318 exhaust manifolds only have a
1 5/8" exit hole (BIG DIFFERENCE). The 360 magnum can be machined out to 2 1/4" to match the 340 driver. The 70s 340 driver would probably have clearance problems with steering box and steering shaft.

Treblig
 
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