I recently acquired a 53 new yorker with the firepower 331. Im looking to swap the motor to a 383 or 440 due to the transmission and engine locked up. Has anyone done anything like this before. Just wondering how much work I have ahead of me.
Thanks for any help

 

I’ve never done this particular swap but I have swapped the 440 TF many times in vehicles that never had them installed from the factory. I would start with a combination of a motor and transmission and not try to adapt the 440 to the transmission that is in the car. I’m not sure what type of driveshaft you have, weather it’s ball in Trenton or slip joint but I would recommend going with a slip joint this gives you a more modern option for driveshaft. And I would recommend using the latest version of motor mounts. Making the frame mounts will be easier more straightforward than the earlier version. Having said that you will need to pull your motor and transmission out and then set the 440/727tf in and locate. You need to have the same centerline as the original engine/transmission set with appropriately the same degree of angle front to rear as the original, about 3 or 4 degrees. Power steering and AC can be adapted from the original engine or you can use what came with the 440 and run new lines to adapt old to new witch is what I would recommend. You will have other things that come up like wiring plumbing and mechanical linkage like throttle etc. that will keep you busy but it’s a solid swap if you or someone you know can fabricate motor mount brackets, fuel lines and throttle linkages. It’s something to think about I’ve seen plenty of swaps start but stall because of talent or experience or whatever.
Good luck with your project, keep checking in I’m glad to help out

 

 

All good info from Iowan.... Keep us post on how the project is going... Cheers