66 Barracuda linkage question swap to newer style

[Syleng1]

Happy Saturday to everyone.

Quick question I figured was better to ask here and not in trans/ drive section.

I am swapping out the /6 and 904 in the 66 Barracuda for an 75' 318 and A904 trans.

The kick down linkage- am I better to use the 66' style that runs off the floor mount pivot bracket or the 75' style that pivots off the bell housing side mount? Again this is a kick down (throttle pressure) linkage question.

Also swapping in an 8.250" rear. Will the drive shaft have to be cut or can I use the 7.250" rear drive shaft? Same u joint but best I figure the 8.250" rear is 2" longer than the 7.250 from the center line of the axle to the yoke.
Thanks,
Joe

 

[cosgig]

Yes, the driveshaft will need to be shortened!!

As for the kickdown, you can use either style, I don't think it matters! I would personally use whatever setup I had that was complete!

 

[slantsixdan]

Use the complete later-style kickdown linkage; it's much safer—starting in '69 the kickdown linkages were all redesigned so if something snags any part of the kickdown linkage it doesn't yank/hold the throttle open. Besides that, your '66 Slant-6 car, unless it has factory A/C, has a linkage setup (with rotating-rod throttle linkage rather than cable) that is not compatible with the V8 installation. V8 cars starting in '64 and \6 factory A/C cars starting in '65 got a cable-operated throttle instead of the rotating rod, but still with a totally different kickdown arrangement.

Or dispense with the old kickdown setups altogether and use a later factory kickdown cable as discussed in this thread.

Yes, you will need a shorter driveshaft.

 

[Syleng1]

Slantsix Dan.

Thank you and I agree on the better newer (1975) being newer lol! And better. I was not sure if the linkage would clear the tunnel.

The 75' drive shaft had a 2" shorter front yoke than the 66' not that it changes the driveshaft length, but I realized after I pulled the shaft..... It was a rubber mounted inner and outer tube press fit. I'm sure after 50 years it will slip or spin so I am having a new unit built for safety sake.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[slantsixdan]

Nice motor! That's the pull-out? How'd it even run with only one air cleaner chromed?

 

[Syleng1]

Nice motor! That's the pull-out? How'd it even run with only one air cleaner chromed?

It did run but the front 3 cylinders were more proud than the rear three for sure. They ran and hid in the back at all the car shows.
You should had heard the tails I was told about that engine at car shows - I loved the Chevy guys trying to figure it out.

Seriously, the motor ran good but not like the fuel injected one going in is going too.
LA 318 with the new self learning FI Tech fuel injection set up. It was like $850 for the unit then I went with the Tanks INC fuel tank with the fuel pump built into the tank- removable of course. And a TTI "X" exhaust. Educated math is approx 300 hp. Plenty of power for a light street car.