buds truck Posted October 15, 2009 Report Posted October 15, 2009 I found out from my friend that he still has the 360 that he thought he had disposed of. It is out of a 84 diplomat cop car with 70k+ miles on it, the trans is a 904. The thing I need to know is which is the better trans, the 727 or the 904. THe 727 has the emergency brake on the tail shaft and has 49k miles. the 904 has 70k+ on it. I am getting ready to put the engine (either the 360 or the 318) in the 53, but would like to have a feel for which trans would be better. 48 dodger, delete some of your pm's. I tried to pm you, your mail box is full. THanks in advance for the help. Bud Quote
Young Ed Posted October 15, 2009 Report Posted October 15, 2009 I would think a 904 out of a cop car would be a good tranny. Should have a HD build to it. Either will probably be just fine Quote
48Dodger Posted October 16, 2009 Report Posted October 16, 2009 Ok....pm cleared! I have a 904 with a shift kit in my 72 Stock Car. It has less rotating weight than a 727. It has stood up to 3 years of hard racing. I run 1st gear at 6500 rpms through the straight aways and @4000 in the corners. I've blown up 3 engines without doing any new work to the tranny. From my vantage point, I say the 904 is better. Even though it has more miles than the 727, it most likey has seen less of a load. Are you planning on changing anything? Hotter cam, higher stall converter, intake, sure grip....etc. Or are you trying to keep it simple across the board? 48D Quote
buds truck Posted October 16, 2009 Author Report Posted October 16, 2009 keeping it simple, I am getting both the 360 and the 904 this weekend, I need to see if the motor is stuck or not, if not, I might use it as it has a 4 barrel, although it is a lean burn. I have a quadrajet that should fit. 600 cfm. Quote
48Dodger Posted October 16, 2009 Report Posted October 16, 2009 Passenger cars stop getting the 360 after 1980 (only trucks)....cop cars saw very few 360's as well. Are you sure it's a 360? "360 V8 The 360 was only available for a short time, but must have been a thrilling engine for the light Diplomat. There have been rumors of 360s in Diplomats through the 1980s, but these appear to have been special-special orders (Federal level) and/or people assuming that four-barrel 318s, which produced more power in the Diplomat than any 360 engine had, were indeed the bigger LA V8s." http://www.dodge-wiki.com/wiki/Chrysler_LA_engine#360_V8 "The optional (in some years) 360 was more powerful and better suited to pursuit use, but relatively few squad cars of any make were pursuits." http://www.allpar.com/squads/diplomat.html 48D Quote
Young Ed Posted October 16, 2009 Report Posted October 16, 2009 Sounds like even if its a 318 its worth getting. Cant seem to lose on that one Quote
48Dodger Posted October 16, 2009 Report Posted October 16, 2009 (edited) I've never had a problem with a well buildt/well oiled 4bbl/318. My son and I were moving the 218 flattie the other day.....he said to me..."we need to build this".... I've never rebuildt a flattie 6. Should be fun.....someday. lol 48D Edited October 18, 2009 by 48dodger Quote
buds truck Posted October 17, 2009 Author Report Posted October 17, 2009 Passenger cars stop getting the 360 after 1980 (only trucks)....cop cars saw very few 360's as well. Are you sure it's a 360?"360 V8 The 360 was only available for a short time, but must have been a thrilling engine for the light Diplomat. There have been rumors of 360s in Diplomats through the 1980s, but these appear to have been special-special orders (Federal level) and/or people assuming that four-barrel 318s, which produced more power in the Diplomat than any 360 engine had, were indeed the bigger LA V8s." http://www.dodge-wiki.com/wiki/Chrysler_LA_engine#360_V8 "The optional (in some years) 360 was more powerful and better suited to pursuit use, but relatively few squad cars of any make were pursuits." http://www.allpar.com/squads/diplomat.html 48D CRIPES!!!! So much for taking the word of the guy I initially bought the car from some 15 - 20 years ago. I ended selling it to a friend about a year afterwards and we both just assumed it was a 360. When I get it home saturday afternoon I will run the number and find out. Bud Quote
buds truck Posted October 17, 2009 Author Report Posted October 17, 2009 Got the engine and trans today and in the shop, I looked at the casting # on the side of the block, it is a 318. I tried to turn it over by hand and it only goes about a 1/4 revolution each way and locks up. Looks like a good parts motor. At least it has a 4 barrel intake. Quote
slicknapier Posted October 18, 2009 Report Posted October 18, 2009 904 might give you a little more clearence for the floors? Quote
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