Using my 86 Ram truck motor (318 cid) in my 73 Dart Swinger...
#1
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Using my 86 Ram truck motor (318 cid) in my 73 Dart Swinger...
Is there anything special that I'll need in order to make this swap? It looks like the car was an original 318 car, so there shouldn't be any problems, Right? The k-member looks good. I looked up new motor mounts at Advanced Auto, they cost about $10 a piece; it should set right down in there, please tell me I'm right? I know there will be smog stuff to do away with on the motor, but as far as the mounts they should be ok, right?
Thanks for any help/advice!
lgad
Thanks for any help/advice!
lgad
#2
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Yes an 86 motor is still and LA motor, the plus about it is that its a roller cam motor versus flat tappet. it should drop in like the old 318 did in your dart.
#3
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Things to look at would be, oil and temp sensors to make sure they match up with the gauge. The kickdown linkage, as the two piece may not clear the firewall trans tunnel. If your changing trans, speedo gear to match rear gear ratio. It's the little stuff that usually takes the time and small parts you have to hunt for. It should be straight forward, Good Luck. Keep us posted.
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great, love it, thanks so much for the info Coronet 500 and 78doubleR. My plan is to use the tranny that came in the truck, but there is one that came with the car, not sure if it works or not, but I was going to try to keep from paying to see if it was good or not!lol! Thought i'd just use the one that I knew for sure was working. I was hoping to do a kick down cable like the one on my 71 Challenger, if that's possible? I got it from Lokar. I wish I had taken more photos of the tear down of the truck but I'll try to get some of the aftermath of it posted on here! I'll be back!
#5
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I would use the tranny that came from the truck as well if you know it is good. You'll just need to see if the tailshaft housings are the same as the trucks usually have a long tail shaft housing and most A-bodies (that I have seen) have all had short tail shaft housing. This could cause an issue with your driveshaft length.
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Tim, I think you are right. My father and I were talking yesterday about the tranny, we were trying to decide if it's 904 or one of the later ones. There is a big list of trannys in the Haynes manual that I got when I bought the truck. I think there are about 6 different automatics? I was trying to decide if the the numbers on the case which looked like "746-2" might be an 46RH out of a later model? I'm not real sure if any of the drive train is original in the truck, but not that it matters, just so long as it works! And I hope that if it is a longer tailshaft, then getting the drive shaft shortened won't be as costly as having a longer one made! Keep your fingers crossed! Thanks again for the info!
#7
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Being an 86, the tranny is probably a 727. There are some pics floating around here somewhere (I think in a thread in the "Resources" section) that can help you determine what you actually have.
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Yes Moparted is right it didn't fit, I had forgot what I had read, and made the mistake of setting it over in the bay anyway!!! Couldn't get the center link back up to the Pitman Arm <palm to face!!!> what an idiot I am! I can't believe I did that, oh wait..yes I can believe it! I ask for help you guys tell me what to do and I don't do it. I apologize for wasting your time and resources! I'm going to go away now! I'll come back when I'm ready to listen. Anyway I'll post a pic of it setting over in the bay...but it'll be coming back out during the weekend I hope!
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