what does it take to swap a big block in a duster ?

-
S

scikotictc232

Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2010
Messages
22
Reaction score
0
Location
Laramie Wyoming/ Washingt
Hey there I have been working on my 1970 ply duster that I have set up for a pro touring style three link and watts link set up, I am also in the stages of building a fab 9 for it, I have a few ?s though my engine of choice will either be a 440 or 383 bb set up for boost, question number one is are these motors identical from the outside for the most part ? Question 2 is there any modification that has to be done to the fire wall and tranny tunnel to fiit a bb and 4 speed trans in an original 225 slant six three. Speed on the floor car ?I will be building custom floors, fire wall and tunnel just need to know wether I can build it closer to my stock pieces, if mods are required ill have to go find a block and trans for mock up but if not I should be good, thanks a lot guys
 
440 Is a RB which is taller than the 383 B. There are other small difference's between the two that one can ID them by.
 
Would you happen to know if the shifter placement is the same as the three speed for an a 833 four speed ? Trying to figure out what I need to change when doing all this work I appreciate it
 
scikotictc232 said:
Would you happen to know if the shifter placement is the same as the three speed for an a 833 four speed ? Trying to figure out what I need to change when doing all this work I appreciate it
Click to expand...

It should be. They had big block darts & cudas with 4speeds that used the stock location.
 
With the limited space afforded by a 440 I would opt for the B 383-400 set up especially I you are going to install a turbo. Depending on the car the clearance between the shock tower can be at an absolute minimum. One car will accomodate a 440, the next one requires chiseling and frigging to make it fit. I am assuming this based on my thinking that you will fab or have fabbed headers to drive the turbo.
 
I bought a 73 duster from a friend with a 383 and 727 tranny. The k frame is a spool mount. With the motor mounted my tranny doesn't line up with the tranny mount. The drive shaft seems to go into the tranny far enough but the holes in the tranny are about an inch to far forward to bolt to the mount. Anyone have anyn ideas why???
 
he is talking about the bolt holes in the tail shaft to attach it to the trans cross member,, both 904 and 727 cross member trans mount holes are in the same location,,meening you can switch a 904 to a 727 same cross member,,

sounds like to me,, that who ever did the motor mounts, either put the mounts on the wrong side of the ears on the block,,or modified the spool mounting area, for some reason,,,73 dusters came with spool mounts k frames,,,but neeed to be modified to fit a big block,,most guys use shumaker kits,,,
 
fstfish66 said:
he is talking about the bolt holes in the tail shaft to attach it to the trans cross member,, both 904 and 727 cross member trans mount holes are in the same location,,meening you can switch a 904 to a 727 same cross member,,

sounds like to me,, that who ever did the motor mounts, either put the mounts on the wrong side of the ears on the block,,or modified the spool mounting area, for some reason,,,73 dusters came with spool mounts k frames,,,but neeed to be modified to fit a big block,,most guys use shumaker kits,,,
Click to expand...

agree!
 
the entire k member has been switched. It had a push button tranny in it before but they added to the mount to make it work.
 
The question is why did they replace the K, and with what did they replace it with.
 
push button mounting holes are in the same place on the tail shaft as all the others,,,,,has the trans cross member been modified for some reason???? maybe all you need is a correct cross member/??

any pics of the cross member ?? or K frame ??
 
maybe you have the transmission mount backwards on the crossmember, offsetting the mount holes to the rear instead of the front ?
 
For boost and pro touring, I'd get a B wedge 400 block. It's as light and short as the 383 which will help the packaging and handling; and it's bigger bore than the 440 and has the stronget lower end of any factory block. If you are planning serious boost you may want to look into the Keith Black aluminum B wedge block. MUCH stornger, the machining is truly ready to assemble, and it's going to be a lot lighter which can only help the handling.
 
scikotictc232 said:
hey there i have been working on my 1970 ply duster that i have set up for a pro touring style three link and watts link set up, i am also in the stages of building a fab 9 for it, i have a few ?s though my engine of choice will either be a 440 or 383 bb set up for boost, question number one is are these motors identical from the outside for the most part ? Question 2 is there any modification that has to be done to the fire wall and tranny tunnel to fiit a bb and 4 speed trans in an original 225 slant six three. Speed on the floor car ?i will be building custom floors, fire wall and tunnel just need to know wether i can build it closer to my stock pieces, if mods are required ill have to go find a block and trans for mock up but if not i should be good, thanks a lot guys
Click to expand...
money
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top