v8 swap time!

[tmj91]

hey guys, ive finally got the 318 and im getting my parts list for the swap..any help? its a 64 dart, 225 slant six keeping the three speed, manual steering and brakes, no a/c..heres what i got so far

1.)engine
2.)bellhousing
3.)v8 center link
4.)273 exhaust manifolds
5.)mounts

what else will i need? (besides beefed up brakes and rear)

flywheel? clutch fork? anything. even if it seems simple.

 

[DieWilde13]

do you swap from a /6? So i think you need another drive shaft

 

[pettybludart]

When I swapped in a V8/904 with a 8 3/4 in my 66 Dart,I used a driveshaft from a 73 Swinger 318/904.It was a boltin!(well I changed u-joints)

 

[grumpuscreature]

Flywheel, clutch, Z bar (V8 is shorter than slant one), radiator, is about all that springs to mind right off. Try to get a radiator for the same year as the engine. It will bolt in and have the outlets in the right place. The driveshaft length will be OK to use as is. Good luck with the swap.

 

['64 Cuda]

Not positive but I think I read that the Z bar was the same for 6 & 8 cyl. early A bodies.

 

[tmj91]

what size flywheel and clutch? also what is a z bar?

 

[37fleetwood]

HI, I just did the same basic swap. here is the thread on my swap and I can answer most of the questions you'll have.
if you use the same transmission you will use the same drive shaft.
you'll need a cable type gas peddle assembly, you'll need to address the motor mount if you have a newer 318, you'll need to figure out the radiator, there may be other things as you go along. I did mine with mostly stock parts and can give advice as to what fits without modification.
keep us posted on how it's going! lots of photos!

here's the link to my thread:
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=71831

 

[cudamark]

what size flywheel and clutch? also what is a z bar?

The Z-bar is the bellcrank in the clutch linkage. you can cut a bit off the bell housing end to make it a V8 type. Use the 70's van slant 6 10 1/4" clutch. You will need the flywheel that matches that '64-6 bell housing. Naturally, you'll need a completely new exhaust system. Make sure the new radiator is a 3 row and get a better fan than that 4 blade POS. You'll need it with that dinky 19" wide one. The engine wiring can be, and will need to be, modified slightly. The K-member, 903 trans, and driveshaft will work as is....until you take it for it's first test drive and find you need a different trans and rear end because you just blew one or both of them! Also if you think those manual 9" drum brakes are going to get the job done, you're in for a disappointment at best. A torsion bar and sway bar upgrade wouldn't hurt either. What year is the engine?
Mark

 

[Bill Crowell]

tmj91, I really don't think you should try to do the swap as a weekend project. Even if you did complete the job over the weekend, you would probably discover later that something wasn't done right and have to take it apart again. Also, you will probably find that you need to buy parts that you hadn't planned on, which will have to be ordered, so factor in the delivery time. I am qualified to urinate in your cornflakes this way because I'm a disillusioned, grizzled old fart (as far as car projects are concerned) who's speaking from experience. I would like to suggest that you find another driver somehow so you could take your time doing the swap and make sure it is done right.

 

[tmj91]

hey bill..thanks for the worries... BUT. I already have another driver (04 stratus). i dont plan on a weekend project. This is a winter project. Trust me. everything will be done correctly. My dad has been a chrysler mechanic for about 25 years now. We've already done three engine swaps. One in my car (170 to 225) My friends 72 Dart (225 to 340) and My dads 67 Power Wagon (318 to 440) so thanks for the support.

 

[tmj91]

cuda, I have a three speed Manual. not a 904. And i already have a disk setup to put on..just havent gotten there. My uncle owns a custom muffler shop so im good to go there. THANKS for the info on the flywheel and clutch! thats what ive been trying to find out! so you say 70's slant six van? And the motor is a dated 1966 LA 318. (November of that year)

 

[64_Barracuda]

TMJ,

I have a 65 Signet that started out life as a /6, 904 cable shifted auto, 7 1/4 rear. Now it has a 273 block with 318 heads, Wiand intake Eldelbrock 4bbl. 1972 904 Trans with a B & M shifter. 8 3/4 rear with 3.21 gears. 1972 Plymouth Duster Disk brakes, big bolt pattern all the way around. Electronic ignition. heavy duty torsion bars.

You can use your stock wiring harness you just will have to make some connections longer. You will need a V8 Abody gas pedel and cable, the firewall plate on a 65 will bolt right in for mine so I would think it would for you.


I didn't do the work the guy before me did, used alot of quality parts, then he got in an accident, fender bender, i picked it up for the parts, once I got it running again and put new sheet metel on it, it drive good so I am restoring it as a daily driver. You can see some pics at HUB garage, link is below in signature. PM me or give a call.

 

[Bill Crowell]

"Trust me. everything will be done correctly. My dad has been a chrysler mechanic for about 25 years now."

Wow, that's really cool! I could never do a swap like that as quickly as you plan to.

 

[tmj91]

yes. an entire winter/spring. thats a short time period...

 

[Bill Crowell]

Doh! Sorry. I kept remembering in the early part of the thread you said you were going to do it more quickly.

 

[tmj91]

oh did I? haha not a problem. i read your post to my dad, he said "Man that guy sounds just like me" I havent started this quite yet..ive been accumulating parts for about three months. im still trying to figure out what else i need. And i forgot to say that I already have the cable-type pedal assembly. I bought a "kit" from a member that had the mounts, pedals, and drop link. I found the bell housing at Mopar Nats. and the Manifolds on eBay.

 

[37fleetwood]

I've been a Mopar mechanic for 25 years and mine took a little over 2 months, of course I have ten of everything to play with to see what fit :-D
I expected it to go faster than it did but there are a lot of little details that have to be addressed.
technically mine isn't quite done until I get the 8 3/4 installed as it is kinda part of the V-8 swap.

 

[64_Barracuda]

You'll love the 8 3/4 setup. The only downfall is it really brought out how underpowered a 273 is. I am thinking of a 360 now.

 

[cudamark]

cuda, I have a three speed Manual. not a 904. And i already have a disk setup to put on..just havent gotten there. My uncle owns a custom muffler shop so im good to go there. THANKS for the info on the flywheel and clutch! thats what ive been trying to find out! so you say 70's slant six van? And the motor is a dated 1966 LA 318. (November of that year)

I don't think I mentioned a 904. The 903 is the stock 3 speed manual trans that came behind a slant 6. They're really weak....especially the input bearing, 1st, and reverse. I don't think I've ever taken one apart that didn't need at least those parts. One other thing that you'll need to check. See if your crank is machined for a pilot bushing. Most in front of automatics were not. You can machine the hole out to the correct diameter, cut down a stock pilot bushing, or my favorite, use the '92-up magnum pilot BEARING assembly. It installs into the torque convertor hole and needs no machining. Make sure you get the whole assembly as the clutch kits usually only give you the bearing and not the hub.
If it were me, I'd change out those heads (920 casting) so I could run regular gasoline. Those close chambered ones were great when you could get 100+octane leaded fuel but with today's swill you'll need a fuel additive and/or hardened seats. The 675 casting ('68-74 but try to find the '72-4 version as they have hard seats from the factory) bolt right on or get some 302 castings and fill in the smog ports.
Thanks, Mark

 

[66340SEDAN]

Not positive but I think I read that the Z bar was the same for 6 & 8 cyl. early A bodies.

You are correct, they are the same.

 

[tmj91]

im sorry cuda..i misread youre post. my original 903's input bearing already went bad in the summer time..it now has a a floor shift a-230..the heads have already been replaced and planed by a previous owner.