Blueprint 408 in '63 Dart?

[63Dart170]

I am interested in swapping a Blueprint Engines fully dressed 408 into a 1963 Dart which currently has a 170. Has anyone done this? My concern is clearance for the low mounted front accessories. I would like to retain power steering.

Chrysler Small Block Compatible 408 c.i. Engine - 465 Horsepower - Deluxe Dressed - Polished Pulley Kit - Carbureted

 

[Jim Kueneman]

You will have to beat the firewall where the wiper motor bump is to clear the distributor. '63 was never thought about to run a small block. Other than that you will need to make custom motor mounts out of rare 273 mounts. Also the 408 is external balanced so you need to think about flywheel/converter. V8's in the early A's are a pain in the *** for working on them.

 

[junkyardhero]

schumacher has the motor swap mounts

'63-66 A-Body Mopar 273/318 or 340/360 Kit

Exclusive mounting brackets for your '63-66 Dodge or Plymouth A-Body; bolt a 273/318 or 340/360 directly to your Slant 6 or V8 K-member with no cutting, welding, suspension changes, or K-member removal. Available as 273/318 replacement or Slant 6/273/318 to 340/360 upgrades. Kit includes...

www.engine-swaps.com

everything else "fits" but...

you'll need headers-- TTI or doug's (i know TTI fit with power steering, not sure on doug's)

you'll need the factory 90° oil filter adapter-- and specifically you'll need the 64~66 unit that is a true 90 not the later one that's at a lesser degree and will hit the frame. OR a remote mount filter.

you'll need a different radiator. if you upgrade your brakes (if you haven't already) you'll need a combo/metering block that doesn't poke out from the frame too far or it'll sit too close to the exhaust.

a 904 can be built to withstand the abuse it'll take behind a 408, but a 727 would be the better choice. it'll be a tight fit and there will be some body massaging-- namely the pinch weld.

you'll need the V8 center link to clear the oil pan. so be ready to hunt one of those down to pay out the nose for it.

and as Jim said you'll need to beat the firewall back to clear the distributor

 

[Jim Kueneman]

Thanks for the other issues I forgot.

Keep forgetting Schumacher is back in business.

I back date the front of the motor to use the original early A V8 radiators (70 and up the lower radiator hose come out the opposite side of the motor).

Drag link, good catch.

90 Degree adapter good, mine had the original 273 adapter on the 360 block so that was not on my radar screen.

I used factory early A V8 exhaust manifolds on the 360 with Edelbrock heads.

Jim

 

[RustyRatRod]

If you just GOTTA have a V8.......Put an HP 383 in it and do something different besides the cookie cutter small block everybody does. It'll bolt right in with all the right parts and the distributor is up front and you don't have to hack the car up just to get a distributor to fit. Plus, you'll have a big block.

....and I said all that as a HUGE fan of Blueprint Engines.

 

[junkyardhero]

Thanks for the other issues I forgot.

Keep forgetting Schumacher is back in business.

I back date the front of the motor to use the original early A V8 radiators (70 and up the lower radiator hose come out the opposite side of the motor).

Drag link, good catch.

90 Degree adapter good, mine had the original 273 adapter on the 360 block so that was not on my radar screen.

I used factory early A V8 exhaust manifolds on the 360 with Edelbrock heads.

Jim

it's only because it's fresh in my mind (working on #3 narrow body V8 swap this year).

how was the port match between the eddy heads and early manifolds? what'd you use for gaskets to get it all sealed up?

 

[RustyRatRod]

schumacher has the motor swap mounts

'63-66 A-Body Mopar 273/318 or 340/360 Kit

Exclusive mounting brackets for your '63-66 Dodge or Plymouth A-Body; bolt a 273/318 or 340/360 directly to your Slant 6 or V8 K-member with no cutting, welding, suspension changes, or K-member removal. Available as 273/318 replacement or Slant 6/273/318 to 340/360 upgrades. Kit includes...

www.engine-swaps.com

everything else "fits" but...

you'll need headers-- TTI or doug's (i know TTI fit with power steering, not sure on doug's)

you'll need the factory 90° oil filter adapter-- and specifically you'll need the 64~66 unit that is a true 90 not the later one that's at a lesser degree and will hit the frame. OR a remote mount filter.

you'll need a different radiator. if you upgrade your brakes (if you haven't already) you'll need a combo/metering block that doesn't poke out from the frame too far or it'll sit too close to the exhaust.

a 904 can be built to withstand the abuse it'll take behind a 408, but a 727 would be the better choice. it'll be a tight fit and there will be some body massaging-- namely the pinch weld.

you'll need the V8 center link to clear the oil pan. so be ready to hunt one of those down to pay out the nose for it.

and as Jim said you'll need to beat the firewall back to clear the distributor

OR he could do the thing that makes the MOST SENSE and leave it a slant 6 car and warm up the old leaning tower of power.

 

[Jim Kueneman]

OR he could do the thing that makes the MOST SENSE and leave it a slant 6 car and warm up the old leaning tower of power.

As you do I LOVE my warmed over /6 in the '63 Dart way more than my 360 in the '66 Valiant They run very well with a little work.

Jim

 

[junkyardhero]

OR he could do the thing that makes the MOST SENSE and leave it a slant 6 car and warm up the old leaning tower of power.

the heart wants what the heart wants, robert.

 

[RustyRatRod]

...and you don't "just bash" the firewall in. You must relocate the wiper motor, because on the 63 it's RIGHT WHERE the distributor needs to go. As much of a retard fabricator I am that'd make me stay slant 6 right there. LOL

 

[Jim Kueneman]

...and you don't "just bash" the firewall in. You must relocate the wiper motor, because on the 63 it's RIGHT WHERE the distributor needs to go. As much of a retard fabricator I am that'd make me stay slant 6 right there. LOL

I have heard both arguments, you can bash it just enough to clear and the wipers still work to you have to install a '64 firewall section and install the '64 wiper motor and bracket welded to upper firewall. I am not sure where the truth lies.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I have heard both arguments, you can bash it just enough to clear and the wipers still work to you have to install a '64 firewall section and install the '64 wiper motor and bracket welded to upper firewall. I am not sure where the truth lies.

We had one member here who did neither. He shortened his distributor in a lathe. Did the housing and the shaft. It was a work of art.

 

[Jim Kueneman]

We had one member here who did neither. He shortened his distributor in a lathe. Did the housing and the shaft. It was a work of art.

Vaguely recall that.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Vaguely recall that.

Here it is.

Post in thread 'Motor Swap on a 63'

Nov 28, 2019

As RRR mentioned... shortened Dist.
That's what I did. Magnum 5.2 or 5.9 distributor modified to accept the LA parts with MSD electronics.
Mag Dist cap is smaller in diameter too.
it's an expensive mod, for sure but, also a perfect solution if you wanted to maintain your OE firewall.

• '63GT

 

[RustyRatRod]

the heart wants what the heart wants, robert.

 

[63Dart170]

OR he could do the thing that makes the MOST SENSE and leave it a slant 6 car and warm up the old leaning tower of power.

When I bought this car it already had an Aussiespeed split exhaust and Intake, as well as a 390cfm 4bbl. Even with that the 170 feels like a dog to me. It will all go up for sale once I start the swap.

 

[RustyRatRod]

When I bought this car it already had an Aussiespeed split exhaust and Intake, as well as a 390cfm 4bbl. Even with that the 170 feels like a dog to me. It will all go up for sale once I start the swap.

Well, it is just a 170 after all. They can be quite peppy however with matching parts and a good tune.

 

[fishmens67]

Perfect hiding spot for a 451.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Perfect hiding spot for a 451.

You know it! Or a 500. lol

 

[63Dart170]

you'll need the V8 center link to clear the oil pan. so be ready to hunt one of those down to pay out the nose for it.

Schumacher's site says that the V8 center link from 64-72 A-Bodies will interchange. Is that the correct span of years? I have see other say 64-66.

 

[mopowers]

Schumacher's site says that the V8 center link from 64-72 A-Bodies will interchange. Is that the correct span of years? I have see other say 64-66.

The V8 link you're looking for is 64-66. 67+ won't work.

 

[63Dart170]

a 904 can be built to withstand the abuse it'll take behind a 408, but a 727 would be the better choice. it'll be a tight fit and there will be some body massaging-- namely the pinch weld.

In the research I have been doing some say the 727 will not fit with TTI headers? Do you know if that is true?

 

[Killer6]

In the research I have been doing some say the 727 will not fit with TTI headers? Do you know if that is true?

It is wider, longer, & has a kick-out on the pass. Frt. corner of the pan.......I'd say that would be accurate information. Can You make it fit?.........dunno, but You've got Your work cut out to put headers in an early-A no matter what.

 

[junkyardhero]

In the research I have been doing some say the 727 will not fit with TTI headers? Do you know if that is true?

i've worked on a 66 cuda with a 360/727 that had TTI's and i can tell you that they fit though i don't know what mods they may have had to do to get there.

everything is tight on the early cars, even with factory stuff. adding in a bigger, longer transmission and a basket full of snakes only jams more junk in the jelly aisle. so don't go in thinking everything is just gonna slip right in.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Schumacher's site says that the V8 center link from 64-72 A-Bodies will interchange. Is that the correct span of years? I have see other say 64-66.

That information is incorrect.