360 Swap in 66 Cuda

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spopdil

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Hi,
I'm going to be swaping motors in my 66 cuda. The Cuda has a 273/904 combo now. I plan on replacing the 273 with a 1978/ 360 motor. Will I be able to bolt this up without any problems with the external balance 360 or do I need a special flex plate? Is there any difference in a torque convertor between an internal and external balanced motor? Thanks, Steve
 

The 360 uses a different converter. There is a special flex plate available that will handle the balance problem of the 360. B&M makes one, may be others that make it too. It lets you use a neutral balance converter with the externally balanced engine. There might be a problem with the torque converter. I haven't messed with the auto trans stuff much but I seem to recall reading that there was a change in the size of the register that fits into the back of the crank. Also some changes to the number of splines or the diameter of the input shaft on the trans. Somebody will probably chime in here with more info. Easiest thing might be to use the trans that the engine was originally hooked to if you have it, but I'm guessing you don't.
 
I do not have an externally balanced 360 converter, just the stock one in my 904. What would my cheapest route be to make this work? A special flex plate or a used 360 converter? Thanks, Steve
 
If you've already removed the engine from your car, you can check the front of the torque converter against the crank of your 360. If the hub on front of the converter is a snug fit in the register hole on back of the crank, then all you need is the special flex plate mentioned above. It's about $90, IIRC. If the converter doesn't fit your crank, then you might have to do some mixing & matching & you'll need some info that I don't have. Sorry.
 
You will need the special balanced flexplate as well as a special bushing (called an annular bushing) available from Pat Blais at http:www.tflitepatty@verizon.net
reason for the bushing is your original 904 converter has a small snout and the 360 (or 68 and later motors) have the large register in the crank. The bushing takes up the space. Or you find a converter company that will build you a converter for your early trans with a large snout hub.
 
Thanks, I just sent an e-mail to Pat about the bushing. If anyone has a flexplate (B&M 10239 or TCI 102390) they wish to sell, let me know. I appreciate everyones help with my problem. Thanks, Steve
 
65 Dartman, Do you have a website or a valid e-mail address for Pat Blais? My e-mail was kicked back. Thanks, Steve
 
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