Finding 360 engine/tranny to replace slant six

I'm entertaining the notion of trying to pull a 360 engine and transmission from a junkyard vehicle (truck, RV, etc...) and putting it (eventually) into my 72 slant six Duster with automatic transmission. Right now, I have the original slant six rebuilt and ready to put back in as soon as I'm done with a few other things. That will get the car back on the street.

The 360 small block idea is more long term. I can be working on getting all the parts together and rebuilding the engine while still being able to drive the car with the slant six.

From what I've read on this forum and other places on the internet, I can do the /6 to 360 swap by the following (may have missed a few things):
Schumaker motor mounts/adapters
New radiatior
Shorter driveshaft (get one made)
May require different exhaust/headers
Bigger torsion bars
8 1/4 minimum rear end

My problem is, what type/year 360 engine should I be looking for? I've found information stating that the basic 360 was the same up until 2001. I believe 86 or 87 was when they made the switch to EFI. Also, there is the 360 LA and then there's the (I believe later model) 5.9L Magnum. I'd really like to be able to pull an engine & transmission out of a car or truck (possibly wiring harness too if EFI?) and be able to install it with as little extra modifications as possible.

I imagine getting one with EFI to "bolt right in" would be a PITA, but it sure would be cool to have EFI in the Duster! So, I imagine I'm probably better off sticking to something that's carbureted.

Basically, I'm asking what year, make, etc vehicles should I be looking at for an ideal engine and transmission combo.

You pretty much right at what you are thinking but can go to a magnum and then use a Megasquirt to controle it. Then you can have an OD trans also, just have to modify the trans tunnel a little. My car is a Feather Duster which was a / with a od 4 speed and now is a 360 833 4 speed and 8 3/4 rear

First few years EFI were not multiport, they were TBI

So, if I wanted to do a pre-EFI engine does anyone know what years I need to look for? Also, at what point did the tranny change so much that it requires tunnel modifications? Are the transmissions different on different types of vehicles for the same year (i.e. car vs. truck vs. RV)?

Sorry if my questions seem stupid, I really have tried to research it as best I could. I'm just trying to plan out the least painful approach to the swap.

The thing with tunnel mods is the OD automatic, A518 or whatever. It's fatter in the rear area. You could use either a 904 or 727, with appropriate driveshaft

Not clear to me.......you interested in LA or Magnum or either?

The newer the magnums get, the more problems there seems to be in using original ECUs, one I've read about is security communications between key/ switch and ECU. I understand "there are" outfits that can flash the ECU to clear that IF you have proof of ownership, or so I've read. Someone above suggested Megasquirt, and there are other aftermarket injection systems, some of which could be adapted to "most" of the hardware you have now.

So let's say you find a late model magnum but with an OD auto, so now you need to scrounge up an earlier "non" OD automatic. My understanding that adapting the late engines to early torqueflites are these:

Some early torqueflites will have weighted converters for use with such as 360LA. 5.9 magnums are also externally balanced but they are a DIFFERENT weight balance.

This would mean (example) you'd have to knock the weights off the converter.....not difficult....

and use the factory flex plate, WHICH HAS the crank pickup teeth on it for multiport EFI, and then you'd have to cut a slot in the early TF bell to accomodate the crank pickup, also not difficult. AND at some point the bolt pattern for the converter was changed, so you might have to elongate one hole in the late flex

Also keep in mind that a 4x4 transmission does you little good, unless you can get a 2x4 core to swap the tail / mainshaft

There "are a few" motorhomes which use a weird short shaft torqueflite with attached emergency brake drum. Same deal as 4x4 trans, above. You'd need to get a long shaft core to swap out the tail housing and mainshaft.

Thanks for the reply 67Dart273. I'm really interested in any 360, not partial to LA or Magnum and don't really care if it's EFI or not. Specifically, I'd like the swap to be as seamless as possible. So it sounds like I'll probably want to look for an LA (not magnum) that is carbureted (not EFI). Are all LA engines carbureted? Any idea what model year is the cutoff?

Sounds like my best bet is to try and find an older (80's model ?) 360 LA connected to an automatic 727 torqueflite transmission in an old truck or van. Did they put the 727 auto on trucks and vans?

Yup. lots in trucks and vans I think the first TBI injected engines were LA. Easy to convert.

Thanks, I'll be on the lookout for a 360 in a Ramcharger or Dodge van from the 80's then. Thanks for all the advice. I'll try to remember to update this thread if/when I find something.

I just put a 360 engine and 727 trans out of a 86 2 wheel drive ramcharger that had a carb, work great

88-91 for tbi on the 318 LA 92 first year for the 318 magnum
89-92 for tbi on the 360 LA 93 first year for the 360 magnum

Looking over your shopping list there are only a couple of things that come to mind.

1. Driveshaft. The 727 is longer than the 904 so that will require a shorter D/S. The larger 8¼ will also require a shorter D/S. Same for the 8.75. The 8.75 has three different carriers. Each carrier sticks out a bit different due to different pinion lengths.

2. Exhaust. While the generic 360 exhaust manifold will work on the A-body on the passenger side, not so for the driver's side. The manifold will have to come from an A-body, especially if power steering is involved. I've heard that Magnum exhaust manifolds will work, but only w/o PS.

Dodge diplomat or chrysler new yorker might work also?

Mopar made a factory roller cam 360 for a few years, 89-91 I think. They put them in Durangos and Ramchargers. They are efi but easy to just put an intake and carb on. They come with the 308 swirl port heads. That's what I'm doing with my 69 Barracuda. Found a 90 at the yard with 89k miles for $300. They are externally balanced so get the flex plate too if you go that route. Good luck on your build.

Update: Wow, didn't expect to actually be buying a 360 this quickly after deciding to get one. But I found what looks like a heck of a deal on one out of an '84 Dodge van. Guy wants $200 for the engine and transmission combo.

He says it's an automatic transmission, so does that mean it's definitely a 727?

I'm planning on a total rebuild of the engine anyway, so as long as the block's not cracked should be ok. Guy thinks the transmission needs to be rebuilt, so not sure if it'd be cheaper to get it rebuilt or search for one that doesn't need rebuilding...

Good score on the 360 727 combo.
Vans would have the 727 stock.
Rebuild the trans you have, they are not that hard.
Bring a 1 1/4" socket, with extensions and rachet and see if the motor will turn over by hand, if so chances are it is a good canadate for rebuild.
Look at all the soft plugs, if none are compromised the block should not be cracked.

And double check it is a 360 not a 318.
Engine size is cast in the drivers side above the starter, bring a can of brake clean and a wire brush to clean the casting numbers.