65 Valiant Signet 273/904 swap to 360/TF questions

[Litz]

In the not too distant future I'm thinking of swapping the current engine/trans (273/904) in favor of a 360/TF. I would like to buy the engine/trans together, or possibly a donor car. What would be the best choice as far as the year of the engine/trans? I know this is not a bolt in and go swap and am looking for tips/suggestions. I know I will probably need mounts. (I don't know if the 273 mounts will work with the 360) will also need radiator swap, and headers. I'm looking for suggestions on headers also. Thanks in advance, Litz

 

[Sedanman]

273,340 and 360 used the same passenger side mount and the DS is a std small block mount. Is your car push button or column shift now? I know the 904 and 727 use different linkage and a simple fix would be an aftermarket shifter instead of trying to track down what you need. The driveshaft won't work between the two so you will have to have one made. The radiator for the 273 has the in/out in the wrong places for 70-up engines. The headers for the pre 67 cars can be pricey. I would look for a 70's camper and rob the engine and trans from it. The kickdown set up is different on the pre 67 cars as well and you will have to locate a 67-up set up for a 727. The 360 uses a different oil pan than a 273/318/340....for starters

 

[Litz]

273,340 and 360 used the same passenger side mount and the DS is a std small block mount. Is your car push button or column shift now? I know the 904 and 727 use different linkage and a simple fix would be an aftermarket shifter instead of trying to track down what you need. The driveshaft won't work between the two so you will have to have one made. The radiator for the 273 has the in/out in the wrong places for 70-up engines. The headers for the pre 67 cars can be pricey. I would look for a 70's camper and rob the engine and trans from it. The kickdown set up is different on the pre 67 cars as well and you will have to locate a 67-up set up for a 727. The 360 uses a different oil pan than a 273/318/340....for starters

Thanks for the info. My car is a cable shifter/console car so I will need an aftermarket shifter for sure. Do you happen to know which oil pan I need? Will the 904 trans mount work?

 

[Sedanman]

Trans mount should be the same. I'm not sure on the oil pan. I'm more of a 67-up guy

 

[xLURKxDOGx]

Thanks for the info. My car is a cable shifter/console car so I will need an aftermarket shifter for sure. Do you happen to know which oil pan I need? Will the 904 trans mount work?

I believe a standard 360 car pan w/oil pickup will do the job, if you want an aftermarket pan the kevko pan should do. I believe the part number is M302.

Jake

 

[grimreaper]

The regular car 360 oil pan (center sump) will work wit a couple of strategically placed hammer blows to provide full steering linkage travel. The tranny crossmember works for the 904 and 727. You will probably want to modify it to allow for dual exhaust though. You will also probably need to bend the floor to firewall flange to provide clearance for the 727.

 

[cosgig]

Although the passenger side mount is the same for all small block motors, you will still need to use the early mounts that you have, passenger and drivers side to mount to the early crosssmember! The drivers side will have to have a triangulated ear welded to it to accommodate the mounting tabs of the 340/360 motor! The rear trans mount is the same as mentioned above, the driveshaft will be different!