Slant 6 to big block in 68 Cuda

-
68'barracuda

68'barracuda

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2012
Messages
257
Reaction score
26
Location
Nocona Texas
Okay here's what I have. 68 barracuda
Already have converted the front and back to big bolt pattern
Disc breaks
no power steering or breaks
currently has a 318 but was a 225 slant car
8 1/4 rear
-I have a 360, 383, and a 440 all need rebuilt
Also have a 727 trans

Do I need to swap the K frame? Will the trans crossmember work? Do I need a eight and three-quarter rear? Never done this I need any help I can get. This car will be just a driver with power
Thanks
 
The engine can be mounted with swap mounts or a different k-member, your choice. You need a stronger rear than the car came with, but that could be an 8-1/4 or bigger. Big blocks and small blocks need a different transmission (bell housing area is different on 727s). The trans cross member is the same no matter which trans or engine you have.

Wander around the tech pages at www.bigblockdart.com for ideas and tips.
 
Your 8 1/4 will be just fine for a street car. A well built 360 would be a lot less work and plenty fast. If your heart is set on a big block you may as well go with the 440. Schumacher creative services has conversion mounts and headers that are more than adequate for a street car. Not cheap though. You can build one he'll of a small block for the extra money in special parts to get the big block in it.
 
there is nothing like the torque of a big block dart so I will suggest the 383 for ease of clearance and installation or for even more torque and a tuffer installation a 440. the least expensive way is to use a motor plate and "B" body tube headers.
 
I did a 440 swap into my Duster. It was a S/6 car. I kept the S/6 K frame and used Schumacher conversion mounts and Schumacher tri Y headers. I found the swap to be easy. The biggest issues I see are the master cylinder is close to the valve cover and there's not much room between the radiator and water pump which makes fitting big enough fans in challenging. I see plenty of guys leave th MC alone which is fine except removing the valve cover will be a pain. I went with a big Wilwwod MC so I opted to relocate the MC 4 inches over to gain clearance. Click on my photos, I took lots of pics of the swap. If it were my car and I had a choice of stearting with a 440 or 383, I'd go with the 440. The 440 will make more power for less dollars.
 
X2...definitely 440...do your research,get a plan,gather the parts,then do it...
 
We did a 383 swap in my son's '68 Dart. Used the Schumacher mounts and headers, which made it easier. If you stick with the 727, use a Lokar flexible trans dipstick. The stock one hit the firewall for us. Also consider using a flexible engine oil dipstick. We got the stock one to work by bending it, but a flexible one would have worked better. Power steering is a tight fit with the Schumacher headers but if you notch the corner of the box its good. We also found that we had to remove the heater blower motor for passenger side valve cover clearance. Not sure if a Barracuda is the same. We'll eventually put in a Classic Air sysstem which has the motor under the dash....
 

Attachments

  • 11-17-13-s.jpg
    83.7 KB · Views: 195
Changing to big block begins at fuel sender and goes all the way to the radiator.
Good luck with it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top