273 to 360 swap

[Deleted member 38666]

Help Please,

I bought a 1976 RV360 to replace my 273--is this a good idea? What will I have to
do to change an RV engine for use in my 66 Dart GT? A built 904 will be behind it. I understand that the torque converter and the oil pan might be a situation. Can anyone
advise me? I am quite new at this, and just trying to have some fun in my retirement.
Thank you to all.

Old Dart 66

 

[krazykuda]

The right side engine mount will bolt on, but the 360 has a different span between the ears for the left side mount, you need to find a left 340/360 mount for it to bolt in...

Change the oil pan and pick-up tube for the car application, there is a certain number pan that you will need, Memike should be able to tell you exactly which one you need...

Then you will have to replace the 360 timing chain cover and water pump with the one from the 273, keep the original vibration damper for the 360 with it, and remark the TDC mark to use the old 273 timing marks.

Then you can use your original style radiator, radiator hoses, and water pump, and accessories from the 273 like alternator brackets, and p/s brackets if you have p/s...

I would recommend replacing the timing chain on the 360 when you do the cover with this true roller double roller, it is one step above the stock 340 chain and will bolt in...

http://www.manciniracing.com/edelbrock4.html


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[65Val]

Torque convertor from the RV trans will not work in your '66 trans. Being that the 360 is ext, balanced,you'll either have to transfer the weights from the 360's convertor, or buy a B+M weighted flexplate. Also, the convertor hub is smaller on your '66 trans, so you will need the adapter for the later 360 crank hole.

 

[pishta]

the RV360 if its out of a truck or bigger will have rotators on the exhaust valves, not the best for performance although if it had a 4bbl, the cam is almost identical the the 340 cam. . Tflite patty sells the bushing to center your 904 small hub convertor to the larger boss in the 360 crank and of course the balance issues. 360 balancer and B&M as stated so you can retain your 904 convertor. I find the chrome 360 pans everyone sells will fit a 66A they fit my 65 although I had one that didnt fit a Melling HV oil pump.

 

[Rapid Robert]

You need a specific 360 "center sump" pass car pan & #392 comes to mind but I gotta confirm that # (I cant find my sheet) & it has a specific pickup to go with it. Your 273 V8 mts will work just add some washers to the mt/ear on the one side (you'll see how easy it is when you hold the mts up to the 360 block ears). Keep the early 904 TC & get the BM 10239 flexplate & the aforementioned hub spacer. Use the 273 pump if the rad nipple is on the dr side and a later alum pump if lower nipple is on pass side. I'm assuming the 273 has the OE iron pump/dr nipple/marks on pass side. For the 360 with the later alum (pass) pump (if rad nipple is on that side) You can make a new mark/pointer on the dampener OR with the iron pump/dr hose/dr dampener slit you can still see (barely) the timing marks (if you aim the light just right). I might have mistyped some of this dr/pass combos cuz it is coming from memory but you get what I am saying. You'll like the power. 340 68-70 HP ex manifolds will work with some fabbing on dr side (2&5/16" outlets) with manual steering (I shortened the steering coupler. A better way might be to use a PS inner steering col shaft (its shorter) then one of those steering col shaft extensions & dont even consider retaining the oe 273 logs with the 1&7/8 outlets.. No exp but I hear the mag manis will fit even on the problematic dr side with a bit of work & the early large port mag manis are the only ones to consider (92/early 93 iirc) with 2 &1/4" ish outlets. they run about $100. later ones have 1&7/8 (iirc) somewhere close to that, MORE EDIT I ain't found my sheet (yet) but visualize a vertical line down plumb from the very front lip of the 273 pan in the car & see if you need ~2" or ~4" till the front of the sump starts on the 273 pan for it to clear the front of the Kmember as it is now with the 273 pan & we need that same clearance in the proper 360 pan. Until I find my sheet iirc the 187 pan had ~4" and the 394 pan had ~2" . EVEN MORE EDIT found the sheet: 392 is ~4" back and 876 is ~2" back. these are both 360 "center sump" pans. measure plumb down & see if you need the sump to start at ~2 or ~4" then find that pan/specific pickup for it (they are different between the two).