I love the idea of a 318 or even 273 stroker, because it keeps the bore small for better flame propagation, yet wields the longer stroke for massive torque. In my opinion, for big engines, the 413 was a much better balanced engine because of the smaller bore versus the 440. (In fact, for 2-3 years Mopar made a 383 RB engine!) Just use heads that breathe appropriately for your RPM and power requirements.
The 1947 Dodge Build
- Thread starter 65 Dartman
- Start date
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Can one change their mind about a build? Certainly! I see it on a lot of posts selling stuff with the reason “I’ve decided to go in a different direction”. I don’t have anything for sale, but I’ve decided to go in a different direction in the 47.
In the beginning it could have been a slant with triple Webers or SUs or even a Jeep 4 liter. I discussed this swap with @JohnFM3 but we decided the Jeep motor was too long. I decided a 318/390 stroker would be just the ticket in the 47. Then I acquired a complete D66 setup from my good friend Frank @FWDLK Frank Later I ended up selling the D66 to @jeff alder So then the plan was to do the 318/390 stroker with a single 4 barrel. So I started looking for a US-made Air Gap. Another member @Rocket had one so i thought I was finished changing my plan to use a 318/390 stroker with the Air Gap.
But noooo, 2 days ago I was talking with my good friend Frank about a Red Ram Hemi I had seen advertised. I told him if I had my druthers I would have used a Hemi, any early Hemi, for the 47. The thing is several years before I bought the 47 I sold to Frank the 58 392 I had. So his plans had also changed and he offered to sell back to me the Hemi and other parts he had accumulated for the Hemi. The price was right so I jumped on the offer. We’ve still got to coordinate a few things but the 392 will be back home.
I’m sure the LA 318 would be an easier fit in the 47 but in my mind it screams fir a Hemi.
In the beginning it could have been a slant with triple Webers or SUs or even a Jeep 4 liter. I discussed this swap with @JohnFM3 but we decided the Jeep motor was too long. I decided a 318/390 stroker would be just the ticket in the 47. Then I acquired a complete D66 setup from my good friend Frank @FWDLK Frank Later I ended up selling the D66 to @jeff alder So then the plan was to do the 318/390 stroker with a single 4 barrel. So I started looking for a US-made Air Gap. Another member @Rocket had one so i thought I was finished changing my plan to use a 318/390 stroker with the Air Gap.
But noooo, 2 days ago I was talking with my good friend Frank about a Red Ram Hemi I had seen advertised. I told him if I had my druthers I would have used a Hemi, any early Hemi, for the 47. The thing is several years before I bought the 47 I sold to Frank the 58 392 I had. So his plans had also changed and he offered to sell back to me the Hemi and other parts he had accumulated for the Hemi. The price was right so I jumped on the offer. We’ve still got to coordinate a few things but the 392 will be back home.
I’m sure the LA 318 would be an easier fit in the 47 but in my mind it screams fir a Hemi.
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I like the new way you've chosen! Can't wait to hear it rumble!
I wasn’t for sure if a LA 904 would bolt to a 392 with an adapter. So with a quick call to Hot Heads, I learned it will not. Only Mopar transmission that can be used in addition to the original cast iron is a 727/518/46 series with an adapter. I will likely sell the 904 or trade for 727 or better yet a 46Rh.
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mygasser
Well-Known Member
had you thought about an adapter for a gm o/d trans? there's lots out there.
neil.
Early Chrysler Hemi, Hemi to Chevy Automatic Transmission Adapters
neil.
Early Chrysler Hemi, Hemi to Chevy Automatic Transmission Adapters
No. Among the parts I included when I sold the engine/parts is a 727 to Hemi adapter and flexplate. It will also work with the Mopar 46 series O/D. I would naturally choose the RH version
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Talk about change of plans, I went through that with my mid 50s Chevy pickup and my 2 GMC pickup trucks . I built a new chassis for it with airbags on all 4 corners a Currie 9” with 3.90 gears and “posi” and NoLimit fat bar 4 link rear suspension. The front suspension is a NoLimit wide ride set up with disc brakes and rack & pinion power steering & anti sway bar .
The original plan was to use my 360 and a500 for power, hence the 3.90 gears . Well the plan changed to using a 5.3L and 4L60e and of course fuel injection.
The chassis I built was a 59 Chevy long bed and it has an 8’ bed .
The truck it was to go under was a 56 Chevy long bed and that has a 7 1/2 ‘ bed so that ment I would have to bob the chassis at both ends . No big deal .
Then the indecision came in the Chevy would be a pitina finish but it needed the usual lower fender patch’s and some other bodywork and suddenly that ment paint so I got to thinking the 57 GMC long bed has great paint so that started the thought but it’s a factory installed NAPCO 4 wheel drive with v 8 and 4 speed that worth more as is .
Then the 56 GMC would be interesting it’s a v8 4 speed cast iron Hydramatic short bed and it’s a Suburban pickup think “Cameo “ so if I used that truck I would keep the long wheel base chassis and modify the fiberglass bed sides for the 8” longer wheelbase .
Now with all these choices the indecision set in for years . Then I sold the two 56’s making the decision a bit less … but no .
Do I keep the 57 original or do I use the body and sell the running GMC chassis ? Or do I sell the built chassis and engine and trans ?
Well another thought is to get another truck and use it for the chassis swap ?
Oh I came up with a 58 Chevy long bed that has the 8’ bed no fender no cab no front sheet metal . So I could use the bed and I have a solid cab that got hit hard enough to move the right side of the firewall Back a half inch , I have a right door and hood and core support and a 57 Chevy grill. Also have the bucket seats from my 98 Tahoe .
What to do ? Oh well I have a lot to do on my 66 Dart to keep me busy so the truck project is on the back burner .
The original plan was to use my 360 and a500 for power, hence the 3.90 gears . Well the plan changed to using a 5.3L and 4L60e and of course fuel injection.
The chassis I built was a 59 Chevy long bed and it has an 8’ bed .
The truck it was to go under was a 56 Chevy long bed and that has a 7 1/2 ‘ bed so that ment I would have to bob the chassis at both ends . No big deal .
Then the indecision came in the Chevy would be a pitina finish but it needed the usual lower fender patch’s and some other bodywork and suddenly that ment paint so I got to thinking the 57 GMC long bed has great paint so that started the thought but it’s a factory installed NAPCO 4 wheel drive with v 8 and 4 speed that worth more as is .
Then the 56 GMC would be interesting it’s a v8 4 speed cast iron Hydramatic short bed and it’s a Suburban pickup think “Cameo “ so if I used that truck I would keep the long wheel base chassis and modify the fiberglass bed sides for the 8” longer wheelbase .
Now with all these choices the indecision set in for years . Then I sold the two 56’s making the decision a bit less … but no .
Do I keep the 57 original or do I use the body and sell the running GMC chassis ? Or do I sell the built chassis and engine and trans ?
Well another thought is to get another truck and use it for the chassis swap ?
Oh I came up with a 58 Chevy long bed that has the 8’ bed no fender no cab no front sheet metal . So I could use the bed and I have a solid cab that got hit hard enough to move the right side of the firewall Back a half inch , I have a right door and hood and core support and a 57 Chevy grill. Also have the bucket seats from my 98 Tahoe .
What to do ? Oh well I have a lot to do on my 66 Dart to keep me busy so the truck project is on the back burner .
Good choice!
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