I have found a nice 1969 Barracuda coupe at a reasonable price, but it is an automatic 6 cylinder. I have several engines available, including a good 383 and a good 440, so my question is this. What do I have to do to convert the 6 cylinder to the big block engiine with auto? I want the installation to look stock, so I also need advice on which engine to use. Should I use the 383 or the 440? Is one easier to install than the other? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
1969 barracuda big block conversion
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dgc333
Well-Known Member
You will need;
1. Tranny to go with engine and drive shaft (will need bigger slip yoke for sure and a different length tranny dependant on rear end)
2. Either a big block k-member or adapter motor mounts.
3. bb radiator.
4. bb torsion bars for the front suspension
5. new rear axle. Preferably a 8.75 or Dana 60 but an 8.25 will work if you aren't going to abuse it.
6. The \6 car will likely have 9" drums. A brake upgrade is in order.
7. exhaust.
8. depending on how complete the bb is brackets for mounting accessories.
I went from a \6 3-on-the-tree to a 360 sb 4spd in my 68 Barracuda. I had a 73 Dart v8 doner car that made it much easier.
1. Tranny to go with engine and drive shaft (will need bigger slip yoke for sure and a different length tranny dependant on rear end)
2. Either a big block k-member or adapter motor mounts.
3. bb radiator.
4. bb torsion bars for the front suspension
5. new rear axle. Preferably a 8.75 or Dana 60 but an 8.25 will work if you aren't going to abuse it.
6. The \6 car will likely have 9" drums. A brake upgrade is in order.
7. exhaust.
8. depending on how complete the bb is brackets for mounting accessories.
I went from a \6 3-on-the-tree to a 360 sb 4spd in my 68 Barracuda. I had a 73 Dart v8 doner car that made it much easier.
Either get a factory big-block A-body K-member(Big $$$) or get a small block A-body K-member which a lot cheaper and get the convrsion mounts from Shumacher,you will also need to go to a bigger diameter torsion bars.
As far as engines since a 440 is wider than a 383 it will be a little tighter fit and is also a little heavier than a 383.
As far as engines since a 440 is wider than a 383 it will be a little tighter fit and is also a little heavier than a 383.
Mopower71
Speed Demon
You don't need to change the K-frame if you use the Schumaker conversion mounts.EvilScamp said:
1966 dart wagon
Well-Known Member
exhaust, and with that said you will either need tti headers or a set of bb abody manifolds, just though id add my info, and for this dont you need to make it a councole shift? i know in my car it has an auto on the wheel, i couldnt be used cause it hit the manifold, or from what it seems it appears to be turned around where the kick down linkage should be, i may be wrong though :-|
Bakarooda
Hell On Wheels
Most of what you'll need was stated in the first reply. I'm going through the exact same process as you are, starting with a '69 Cuda fastback that had a /6, 904, 7.25, and 9" drums and working my way up to a big block (but it has a LA in it now). Also, '66 Dart Wagon brought up a good point with the console shift... even if it's not necessary it's probably just easier to do it that way.
Jim Lusk
Well-Known Member
Visit the tech archives at www.bigblockdart.com.
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