69dart

hey guys and gals, I have a 69 dart (so called) "swinger" any way of telling for sure if it is or not?....it has a /6 and I want to swap to a 318. id like to get as much info and pictures as possible as I have to do it in an over the weekend type time frame or at least keep it moveable while swapping it out I know ill need a 318/trans ...prefer to keep the original trans and rear end I don't want a ton of power just a stock 318 maybe some bolt on power.

info about the car:

/6 engine
3spd auto trans (any way of telling what trans it is?)
7 1/4 rear end (any way of telling for sure?)
have a lot of resources when it comes to tools and somewhat parts

thanks in advance. Ryan,

moe7404

here is a spot for great info about rear ends.
http://www.mopar1.us/875.html
ill bet you have a 7 1/4, if so, start saving money for a 8 1/4. the 7 1/4 is JUNK dont keep it any longer than you have to.

440roadrunner

To swap to a V8 you'll need a smallblock automatic. The Torquefltes were different for six, smallblock and big block.

If you "piece" this together, you'll want to pay attention to converter balance. A 318 uses what is called a "neutral" balance converter, while a 360 uses a weighted converter. If you find a 360 trans, you could actually knock the weights off the converter and get by

Is your shifter on the column or console? If you have a factory console shifter, the trans must have the bracket which is cast into the tail housing,

This photo is obviously upside down. The two holes at what are the bottom of the transmission almost directly above the hand is the mounting holes you must have for a factory console shifter



You'll either need a V8 front K member, or get aftermarket "swap" motor mounts, which adapt the V8 to the /6 front K member

You can probably use your old radiator, if it's in good shape. If you get a 70/ later engine, the lower water fitting will be on the passenger side. Earlier cars had the lower outlet on the driver side. Pay attention to that because you'll want all the "engine stuff" to match, that is, the front balancer and timing cover must match, or you'll have timing marks you "can't see" under the hose.

Obviously an exhaust system, and a front or center sump "car" pan, in case you find an engine out of a pickup/ van.

Dartster 66

you might check the drag linkage had to change mine in my Dart to get pass the oil pan and need to change Torsion bars to V8 bars at least

TVLynn

Your not going to do it over a weekend !!! Maybe a week. YOU need to get a driveshaft made. Too many things to work out.. I would replace the radiator. IF you plan on doing it over a weekend ? Get a later K frame with disk brakes and the 4 1/2 bolt pattern motor, trans every thing you need for the swap Put the K frame on the garage floor and put everything together on the floor. Test fit EVERY THING

Drag Pak

Best to find a donor car with ALL the parts you WILL need. I believe everything from 1965 to 1973 "A" bodies will suffice. Anyone chime in if I am not correct!

RacerHog

Wow...That's a tall order for a weekend deal.....
I see lots of good info for you here.....
My take... Check your list of parts twice.....
Hope you got lots of helping hands... That's going to be a long tiring weekend...
Keep up posted....Take lots of pictures....

69dart

thanks guys a lot of useful tips and unfortunately I only have 2 hands... no help so im going to get all the stuff I need over time and then tackle it once I've got it all ready to put together im pretty sure I can have it mostly torn apart Friday night after work and Saturday getting all the new stuff in and sunday hopefully rolling at least on footpower lol ill open a new thread on a progress report

440roadrunner

Actually I'm using about a 73-4? /6 rad in front of my 318, it cools just fine

Driveshaft? Not if you go from an A904 to a V8 A904. Only if you change the rear axle, and or go from a 904 to 727

Later K? All the later k so far as the "K" itself, is the better spool engine mounts.

Really, the "cat's meow" would be to get a rusted out 73 A 318/340/360 car for all the hardware, the K, the disc brakes, rad, maybe engine, trans, and rear axle, and springs, and "for now," at least better T bars than you /6 car has.

mr340

Those /6 t-bars will hold up to the teener pretty well, I wouldn't suggest an 80 MPH slalom, but they will keep it on the straight and narrow.

69dart

hey guys I got tips on a 75 cordoba with running 400 4 barrel and auto trans would this be a good donor for my engine swap? or is the 400 to big

Drag Pak

No. Yes can be done. Tight fit, expensive headers.

mr340

Yes it can be done, but for a "weekend project", I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say probably not... That swap will take a LOT of time and a LOT of fabricating and a LOT of parts hunting. Your best bet is to find a donor A-body with a v-8 in it already and just swap everything over at one time. You can unbolt the k-frame and trans mount then remove the entire thing as an assembled unit without having to do it one component at a time. That's how I would do it. I have done the "piece it together" thing and if I recall, it took me about 3 weeks of spare time and weekends just to get it to the point that I could drive it to the exhaust shop.

69dart

the cordoba is a no go it was sold so im on the hunt again but I did get some body work done and rims polished up.....did you guys know that headlight resto paste shines chrome? it works great

TVLynn

So does toothpaste You get the better style idler arm.. with newer K frame

slade

**** me and my brother used to swap engines in a day lol. you guys are making it sound harder that it is listen nan gather your parts look at the job and get a plan set out all your tools have it all in order get a freind and a 12 pack and tear in best bet remove the torsion bars and drop the whole k frame and have the 318 bolted up to your new one. once the front is out of these cars you can litterly pick them up. slid your new k frame up and jack it up to meet the car and bolt it in. its 4 bolts and the tirsion bars. if u get a donor car with all the oarts its even better just swap it over while the drve shaft is out change the u joints. the rear end is simple also. there isnt much to these cars and with a helping hand that knows what to do and the right tools you can do it in a weekend its going to be a long one though

RacerHog

Slade---- NHRA Dose it in 60Min.......lol
You go shooter !!!!!!!!!!!

blue 68 gts

I hate large bolt pattern........................................... ..............



All the advice you need, was executed perfectly by 440roadrunner. LISTEN TO HIM.


I'd also only put an 8 3/4 in. //Done.

slade

us boys up here in ny work brother. we turn clutches in rigs in 8 hrs counting our lunxh

and nhra engines only need to last 60 seconds lok