this my first american.

needs some pointers.

i think i have the a frame?

1970 slant six dart.

im trying to build a fuel eco cruiser with a nice sound.

whats the best way to drop in a 360 and what tranny?

thanks guys!

 

You have two (three)ways to go.

One is to buy "swap" adapter engine mounts from someone like this

http://www.engine-swaps.com/

Second is to change the K to a "V8" K

Third is to cut off the slant mounts and fab your own

==============================

About K members. I don't know where you are, this is "slanted" towards US cars

All K members from 67 / later in A bodies interchange so far as bolting into the car

67 ONLY has a weird idler arm, this makes the idler a "one year only" and expensive. If possible you want a 68 or later, or you can fab a bracket to use the 68 / later idlers on a 67 K

67 and 68--72 still used the older, inferior "pillow" engine mounts. These also use an optional factory anti-swar bar which mounts UNDER the K

73---later use the BETTER "spool" engine mounts. Also, the factory optional anti-sway bar went through the middle of the K

The lower control arms are different (have different tabs) for the early vs late anti roll bars

=========================================

STEERING LINKAGE. Steering linkage is early vice late. This is basically determined by what steering box you use (big or small pitman spline) and this in turn determines THREE components.......

The pitman arm, the idler arm, and the steering center link

==================================

To put the above simply, the three pieces must go together and must fit the box. You can use either the "early" or the "late" components on any car 68--76 regardless of drum or disc brakes, and on a 67K if you modify the idler arm mount

Here:

http://www.bigblockdart.com/techpages/techindex.shtml

and

Here:

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/...d.php?t=236925

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/...p?p=1970108152


http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/...d.php?t=218751

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/...p?p=1969916173

================================================== ============

Next is to decide what to do with big vs small wheel bolt pattern. IF you want a heavier rear axle, the factory 8 3/4 were all pretty much small bolt pattern for the A bodies. But if you are going to swap in or narrow "something else" you might want to convert. There are more wheel combos by far for the "big" pattern

So this leads us to front disk brakes. If you have drums, and want to convert, this too, has choices. You can use later 73 / later spinldes, and upper A arms, and later ball joints and convert.

Or you can buy something like the "Scarebird" conversion and use your old small pattern stuff.

 

my plan is doing a budget build and get it running smooth. from there ill go towards horsepower or fuel injected gas efficiency.



ok so far getting/looking for a 360 engine from the junk yard.
currently waiting for the 50% off sale at the local pick a parts.


so ive been doing scouting runs to the surrounding local junk yards.





the plan


engine mounts


junk yards :

• block with crank, piston, connecting rods, cam

• complete head
• intake manifold
• accessories ( i can decide on the spot)
  • but i plan to take alt, powersteering pump,
  • no carb, for now.
  • no dizzy
  • no water pump, no oil pump. ( its just something fairly cheap cost wise but the importance of the 2, prompts me to just get brand new pumps.)
  • no ac yet*
  • no wires

• transmission (depending what is with the engine) if its a 904 i will take it.

• how do you identify transmissions?
• do dodge ram van come in the 904 transmission?
• which drive shaft do i use?

summit racing :

• oil pan (Summit Racing® Stock Replacement Oil Pans SUM-G3536)

-pick up


*AC side project

 

depending on year a dodge van with a 360 will have a 727 or later 90's up a 46RE overdrive. You may find a 360 / 904 combo in a later model. The engine needs to have a center stump. Trucks & Vans will have a rear stump. Milidon make some nice oil pans if needed !!! Just remember the drive train needs to be replaced from the front to the back !!! Another option is a 318 with a stroker kit..

 

I picked up a 360 long block.
didn't do any checks but turns over nicely.


drive train front to back.

do you mean crank to diff?

so do I need the van drive shaft?

any websites and swappable parts info?

thank you