Commando66
She's a beaut Clark!
This thread is exactly why we need a sticky with all of the CORRECT info on a proper V8 swap into an early a-body. But I’ve been told that will never happen.
[WANTED] Early A Slant to V8 mounts
- Thread starter Jonnylightening
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cudamark
Well-Known Member
I can list what I know if you like....
First, I'm presuming that you're going from a slant 6 to a small block in a '64-6 A-body. These items will work for a '63 too, but, you also need to do some firewall work for clearance. About the only things that will swap over from the /6 will be the alternator, starter, and wiring (just shorten a couple of wires or re-tape the slack). You will need all the brackets, pulleys, manifolds, exhaust system, radiator, and an engine with everything from pan to air cleaner. The k-member is the same, but, you'll need the 64-6 273 motor mount brackets and exhaust manifolds or you'll need to fab something. You'll need the V8 center drag link on the steering linkage. You also need to swap in a '64-6 V8 accelerator pedal, bellcrank, and cable for the throttle, or fab a later setup to work. If you have power steering, even the pulley on the pump is different. If you can find the correct pulley for that pump, you can use it, but, not the brackets. The power steering box will work fine, but, you need the 90 degree fitting for the pressure hose to clear the exhaust manifold. It would be best to get a complete '64-6 engine and transmission from a donor car, but, I realize that isn't always easy to find. Get a transmission that matches your car. If it's an automatic, and you want to keep your type of shifter, you need to match it to your year. '64 is unique (get the V8 shift cables too), '65 (and it's V8 shift cables) are unique also, and '66 starts the slip yoke (and it's unique column linkage) A '67 904 from a 273 will interchange with the '66, but, not the shift linkage unless it's a floor shifter. Even those are slightly different, but, can be adapted. In a '66 model (and earlier if you go with an aftermarket shifter) a later transmission will work too, but then you need to match it with whatever engine/crankshaft you're going to use. You'll need all the kickdown linkage for a '64-6 V8 that matches your carb (2bbl or 4bbl) or, get an aftermarket cable setup. If you have a 3 speed on the column, forget about using that 903 transmission. It's too weak for a V8. Either get the 745 for the '64-5 models, or convert to something else....either a '66 column auto, or cut a hole in the floor for a 4 speed. Speaking of which, the factory 4 speed behind a /6 will work fine with a V8, but, you'll need to shorten your Z-bar, and get a matching V8 bell housing, flywheel, and clutch assembly. If you get the correct transmission for the car, the driveshaft from your /6 will fit, but, I don't like the rubber isolated one for any kind of horsepower. As for the horsepower question, I always recommend better brakes and rear axle assemblies to go with a V8 changeover. I'm sure I will think of something else to add, but, I'm going to eat dinner! Maybe more tomorrow.
First, I'm presuming that you're going from a slant 6 to a small block in a '64-6 A-body. These items will work for a '63 too, but, you also need to do some firewall work for clearance. About the only things that will swap over from the /6 will be the alternator, starter, and wiring (just shorten a couple of wires or re-tape the slack). You will need all the brackets, pulleys, manifolds, exhaust system, radiator, and an engine with everything from pan to air cleaner. The k-member is the same, but, you'll need the 64-6 273 motor mount brackets and exhaust manifolds or you'll need to fab something. You'll need the V8 center drag link on the steering linkage. You also need to swap in a '64-6 V8 accelerator pedal, bellcrank, and cable for the throttle, or fab a later setup to work. If you have power steering, even the pulley on the pump is different. If you can find the correct pulley for that pump, you can use it, but, not the brackets. The power steering box will work fine, but, you need the 90 degree fitting for the pressure hose to clear the exhaust manifold. It would be best to get a complete '64-6 engine and transmission from a donor car, but, I realize that isn't always easy to find. Get a transmission that matches your car. If it's an automatic, and you want to keep your type of shifter, you need to match it to your year. '64 is unique (get the V8 shift cables too), '65 (and it's V8 shift cables) are unique also, and '66 starts the slip yoke (and it's unique column linkage) A '67 904 from a 273 will interchange with the '66, but, not the shift linkage unless it's a floor shifter. Even those are slightly different, but, can be adapted. In a '66 model (and earlier if you go with an aftermarket shifter) a later transmission will work too, but then you need to match it with whatever engine/crankshaft you're going to use. You'll need all the kickdown linkage for a '64-6 V8 that matches your carb (2bbl or 4bbl) or, get an aftermarket cable setup. If you have a 3 speed on the column, forget about using that 903 transmission. It's too weak for a V8. Either get the 745 for the '64-5 models, or convert to something else....either a '66 column auto, or cut a hole in the floor for a 4 speed. Speaking of which, the factory 4 speed behind a /6 will work fine with a V8, but, you'll need to shorten your Z-bar, and get a matching V8 bell housing, flywheel, and clutch assembly. If you get the correct transmission for the car, the driveshaft from your /6 will fit, but, I don't like the rubber isolated one for any kind of horsepower. As for the horsepower question, I always recommend better brakes and rear axle assemblies to go with a V8 changeover. I'm sure I will think of something else to add, but, I'm going to eat dinner! Maybe more tomorrow.
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