Engine Swap on A108?

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jgchemie

jgchemie

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Hey all, I recently purchased a fairly clean 1969 A108 and I want to either swap the stock 318 engine with something like a 400 stroker, or maybe put a stroker into the 318 with EFI. Any idea what I can do with the least amount of modification to the engine compartment, transmission and drive train?

Please point me to the right forum if this has already been discussed!

Thanks!
Joe
 
Small block. They came stock with them so it's a no brainer.
 
So we're looking at a max 390 ci. Can you improve performance/reliability with an EFI system or am I opening a whole can of worms with the other required upgrades?

And can I put roller cams in a 318 stroker?
 
jgchemie said:
So we're looking at a max 390 ci. Can you improve performance/reliability with an EFI system or am I opening a whole can of worms with the other required upgrades?
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I'm not a fan of EFI......I'm old and set in my ways......but it's nice and if you like modifying things, you'll probably like it. IMO the best bolt on EFI right now is the Holley Sniper system.
 
One thing to consider:
The transmissions in those vans use a unique case. They don't use a traditional transmission crossmember and mount. These vans were Slant Six and LA series engines only. A Big Block swap would mean you'd need to build some sort of crossmember to support the transmission.
 
Small block up to 426ci. F.I.= OK. Will need bigger rear end to contain that power. Bigger brakes, better cooling. It will be fun though.
 
The 8 3/4" axle is up to the task. It all comes down to the traction anyway. IF you're putting out 500 HP and have 7" wide tires, the axle never sees the stress it would if it had tires with more grip.
 
These vans came with 8.75” differentials, and since you have a small block you likely have an A727. What trans and rear is in it? You’ve got the SB V8 frame/engine brackets, and the SB engine brackets and rubber mounts (all the slant six pieces are different) and swapping to a B/RB block would mean much modifications and additional parts sourcing to fit one in. Less time and money going LA or even a Magnum 360 or stroker route. Bolt-In deal is a no brainer and it’s less weight on the already heavy heavy (mine was around 61/39 front/rear) vs a big block.:thumbsup:
 
69 318 is a good one because of compression. Small cam springs, double roller timing chain, TQ and matching intake, dual exhaust, good distributor, and tune it. Purpose? Gears?
 
Ask @12many how his Van does with his BluePrint Engine :)
Chrysler Compatible Crate Engines

i have 3 of these out there that I know of in A Vans. one is done in Australia!

dyno tested, 30 mo/ 50K mile warranty,
upload_2020-11-3_7-40-7.png
 
Definitely have an A727 trans. Can I tell the rear axle from this tag? It states 3000lb capacity.

Crate engine sounds good but I would also enjoy building up the 318 if I stick with a small block. Also, can I put in roller lifters in a 318 from 1969? I thought there was some physical limit but I can't recall where I heard that information.

Purpose of this van is to be a regular driver, maybe take it on road trips and camping, and also have some fun not being the slowest car off the line. I'd like to run pump gas and hopefully get 15+ mpg!

@12many what are you running in your van?

@Johnny Mac do you ever put EFI on your BPE?

What should I do with my 400 RB engine and matching 727 transmission that I got from a 1976 B van?

Tag_1969_a108.jpg
 
My buddy's A108 with the CHP 440 would get 23 mpg while towing the race buggy :realcrazy:.
That van had some history, it had 300K miles on it when he got it.
It spent it's previous life with Barstow-Death Valley Truck Line.
Pretty much every day it delivered freight to Death Valley :lol:
 
jgchemie said:
Definitely have an A727 trans. Can I tell the rear axle from this tag? It states 3000lb capacity.

Crate engine sounds good but I would also enjoy building up the 318 if I stick with a small block. Also, can I put in roller lifters in a 318 from 1969? I thought there was some physical limit but I can't recall where I heard that information.

Purpose of this van is to be a regular driver, maybe take it on road trips and camping, and also have some fun not being the slowest car off the line. I'd like to run pump gas and hopefully get 15+ mpg!

@12many what are you running in your van?

@Johnny Mac do you ever put EFI on your BPE?

What should I do with my 400 RB engine and matching 727 transmission that I got from a 1976 B van?

View attachment 1715624324
Click to expand...
I believe you have a 3.55 gear from the plate but best to check on a jack stand (compare the rotation of the wheels vs the driveshaft. Mine came with a 3.91 as the plate indicated, but the previous owner swapped in a 3.55. I used a Blueprint 410 short block as the foundation for my own build. Own choice on heads, cam, etc. I also had to gather V8 brackets etc in order to convert from the slant six that was in it (67 A100 panel) . My plans started out with similar use as yours (with some drag strip use) and has slowly progressed to more pure strip and somestreet hot rodding only.
 
jgchemie said:
Definitely have an A727 trans. Can I tell the rear axle from this tag? It states 3000lb capacity.

Crate engine sounds good but I would also enjoy building up the 318 if I stick with a small block. Also, can I put in roller lifters in a 318 from 1969? I thought there was some physical limit but I can't recall where I heard that information.

Purpose of this van is to be a regular driver, maybe take it on road trips and camping, and also have some fun not being the slowest car off the line. I'd like to run pump gas and hopefully get 15+ mpg!

@12many what are you running in your van?

@Johnny Mac do you ever put EFI on your BPE?

What should I do with my 400 RB engine and matching 727 transmission that I got from a 1976 B van?

View attachment 1715624324
Click to expand...
Yes, we can add a holley sniper for $800 difference.
 
I dont know how a van act with a stout engine. But.. i have a a100 pickup with a 360 and man that thing can be tricky:steering:
I dont think i ever need more than a fresh 360 or 390....
 
Jeffrey67dart said:
I dont know how a van act with a stout engine. But.. i have a a100 pickup with a 360 and man that thing can be tricky:steering:
I dont think i ever need more than a fresh 360 or 390....
Click to expand...
Some drag radials, dialed in air pressures, and good suspension setup at the track? Mine dead hooks and runs 1.58-1.60 60’ times. On the street is a different story! I no longer mat it from a stop as it’s just a waste of tires, only get on it when rolling.
 
Thanks for all the replies! This is going to be a fun project. I hope in the next few weekends I'll get the engine and trans pulled and the van taken for paint. I should have about three months to plan and build the engine. It sounds like keeping the LA will be the easiest for compatibility especially if I'm not hot rodding/track racing.
 
Because I want to make life difficult (or I'm optimistic about success) I'm still considering swapping the stock 318 LA engine with a 400 B. I picked the 400 B block up from my machinist just to check the fit. Using the engine mounts from the B100 van it came from, I was able to get it to fit fairly well into the A108 compartment. However, I would love to get people's feedback on what I need to be wary of before proceeding. See attached pictures of how the engine mount bushings are lining up and the space in the front and back.

Furthermore, I realized that I can probably swap the transmission tailhousing/adapter from the A108 to the 727 tranny so it mates to the 400 B and properly hangs under the frame of the van plus is the right length so I don't have to shorten the drive axle. What do you think? Am I crazy?

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I would disassemble the trans for the big block to a bare housing, bolt up the tail shaft housing from the small block trans, then bolt it to the engine. Hang it from the trans mount, then put the block at whatever height is required for clearance of ALL areas that may conflict with the doghouse: valve covers, head exhaust flanges and the exhaust headers or manifolds you intend on using, and most importantly intake, carb, any carb spacer you might consider, and an air cleaner. Might have to modify those brackets by cutting down and/or redrilling holes, even use thicker or thinner rubber mounts. Oh, and your putting that 400 in so get to mocking it up!! :thumbsup:
 
12many said:
I would disassemble the trans for the big block to a bare housing, bolt up the tail shaft housing from the small block trans, then bolt it to the engine. Hang it from the trans mount, then put the block at whatever height is required for clearance of ALL areas that may conflict with the doghouse: valve covers, head exhaust flanges and the exhaust headers or manifolds you intend on using, and most importantly intake, carb, any carb spacer you might consider, and an air cleaner. Might have to modify those brackets by cutting down and/or redrilling holes, even use thicker or thinner rubber mounts. Oh, and your putting that 400 in so get to mocking it up!! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

That's probably a good idea to try and mock it up correctly. I still need to decide on what I'm going to put on for the top end of the engine (heads, manifold, headers, etc) and I have none of those parts. I had another guy tell me he put a 440 into an A100 with no problems other than the oil fill on the valve cover. He cut out the dog housing a bit.

I've never taken a transmission apart. If I unbolt the tail housing does the whole thing come apart?

BTW, what is your recommendation for lifting the engine and tranny in and out of the van? Raise it really high and bring it from the bottom? Or try to put the tranny in first then bring the engine in from the door?
 
jgchemie said:
That's probably a good idea to try and mock it up correctly. I still need to decide on what I'm going to put on for the top end of the engine (heads, manifold, headers, etc) and I have none of those parts. I had another guy tell me he put a 440 into an A100 with no problems other than the oil fill on the valve cover. He cut out the dog housing a bit.

I've never taken a transmission apart. If I unbolt the tail housing does the whole thing come apart?

BTW, what is your recommendation for lifting the engine and tranny in and out of the van? Raise it really high and bring it from the bottom? Or try to put the tranny in first then bring the engine in from the door?
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On the trans I would refer to the factory service manual. Read that over and decide if you want to tackle it, I install the engine from side doors, and then install the trans. Mocking it up and possibly adjusting the block to clear everything and maybe allow more room up top (when the doghouse lid is closed) by dropping the block downwards and sorting/modifying the brackets to do so etc would maybe allow intake and carb spacer/insulators/air cleaner options. May have all the room needed with those brackets and mounts, but me? I’d mock it all up to see what room there was
 
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