LS Swap '65 Valiant

65 Cuda 340 said
Except that in 1960 (and 61) a big block Mopar would have been the old extended crank version, and the only available automatic would have been the old cast iron Torqueflite. Three speed manual, too, but . . . .

Anyway, I know that in 1962 the Dragmaster team built an A/FX max wedge 62 Dodge Lancer with the new style (modern) big block. I'm not aware of anyone putting a big block Mopar in a first generation Valiant or Lancer before then. But I also doubt that very many SBC's were ever swapped into the earlier Valiants or Lancers, either, or that Hurst ever sold many kits to do so.

Hey - I'm up at 4 am. My dog had to go out, so I figured I would check in here while I was up. . . .

View attachment 1715936740

View attachment 1715936741 .

Well, I just found out that someone did put an extended crank (pre 62) big block in a first generation Valiant before Dragmaster built their 413 Lancer. Recently got an April 62 issue of Cars magazine off ebay, had article on the swap inside. The swap used an extended crank 361 bolted to a 57 Plymouth cast iron Torqueflite and ran a 57 Plymouth rear end. Even more interestingly, the swap was done by original Ram Chargers member Dan Mancini. Whole article is five pages long; here's the lead.

04011401 (2).JPG