Mopar Engine Adapter Plate

[james Callahan]

Has anyone use a adapter from Wilcap Company, behind our flathead 6 engine 230, to a chev 350 trans does our engine have the power to drive the automatic trans and if so how do you like the way it drive ?

Thank You

James Callahan

[John Burke]

James, I am using a wilcap adaptor to mate my 251 desoto to a 350 turbo automatic tranny...It works great and I love it....a very well engineered unit....you'll have to do a little fabrication to put it in your car as i put mine in my hotrod and had no clearance issues...But I understand a number of the units have been installed in regular vehicales...When you call, ask for Pat...He is the head man and is very nicwe and will answere all of your questions...John Burke...Also you can go to www.msnusers.com/streetroadster ...and you can see how I set mine up

[Olddaddy]

I am currently working with a friend of mine, reproducing an original Mopar transmission adapter for mounting a small block 727 behind a flathead six. We are duplicating an original Mopar part used in airport tugs, and forklifts running flatheads and automatics. The kit will include the adapter plate, a crank adapter, and dust cover for around $400. Hopefully available by mid/late summer.

[BloodyKnuckles]

I am currently working with a friend of mine, reproducing an original Mopar transmission adapter for mounting a small block 727 behind a flathead six. We are duplicating an original Mopar part used in airport tugs, and forklifts running flatheads and automatics. The kit will include the adapter plate, a crank adapter, and dust cover for around $400. Hopefully available by mid/late summer.

Put me in line for one.

BloodyKnuckles

[Lou Earle]

How would a 700 r-4 gm 4 speed overdrive unit work behind a 218? Anyone been there done that?

Lou

[greg g]

Lou, just doing some investigation on the 700R4 as I am thinking of going that way for my Studebaker project. A fellow suggested a 200R4 instead. Not quite as robust, they were used in Cutlass, Malibu, Buick GS and such with eh smaller V8 and V6's. Lot more out there. the gear ratios are different and the over drive is .67. They is much talk about getting the Trottle Valve Cable hooked up correctly, and coolers are also stressed a lot. Also a good deal to be said about making sure the lockup works, as they make a lot if heat if it is left unlocked. I will be looking into a 200 tomorrow or on the weekend. 150 bucks as opposed to 400 for the 700 series. Bellhousings are the same in some cases and different in others so it is important to get the Chevy bolt pattern as that is whet most adapterlates are drilled for.

[John Nickell]

Bowtie overdrives has alot of information on both the 700R4 and the 2004R. They sell the entire transmissions as well as kits to make the TV cable hookup easier. Not sure if they would know alot about hooking one up to a non chevy but they may. Could one use the wilcap adapter for a TH 350 to hook up a 2004R? Something to think about. http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/index.shtml

John

[John Burke]

The throttle cable hookup thing is why I choose a turbo 350....It's very critical, they say, with the R-4 transmitions, that the cable be hooked up right or you'll burn up the trany....while on my 350 I just cut the cable off and if i want to downshift i just pull the shift lever back to second...a whole lot less futzing around...beside, unless your driving to the coast the difference in gas, with the overdrive, aint gonna amount to a hill of beans....john

[kevinanderson]

I drove a lot of the 5.7 diesels with the 200 tranny. John, you're correct. if the cable is a fraction off, it will fry the tranny. had a transmission shop that couldn't even get it adjusted right. I'd stick with the 350 too

[teardrop puller]

I am running a 700R4 transmission behind a stock engine. Well almost duel carbs and headers from Stovebolt and an electronic ignition. I bought the Lokar cable to make the job a little easier. The car will accelerate like you will not believe and can cruise down the highway at 70 with out a problem in overdrive.

here is the cable http://lokar.com/interior_pages/products/throttlecables_kd/images/700r4-200r4.jpg

kai

[Fireball]

I am currently working with a friend of mine, reproducing an original Mopar transmission adapter for mounting a small block 727 behind a flathead six. We are duplicating an original Mopar part used in airport tugs, and forklifts running flatheads and automatics. The kit will include the adapter plate, a crank adapter, and dust cover for around $400. Hopefully available by mid/late summer.

Great to hear Olddaddy, will it accept 904 as well? If I remember correctly the only difference is the converter pilot diameter between earlier/later models of 904, so the later models should be applicable with 727 adapter?

At the point it seems that my original setup would need so much tender, love, care and money that I'm thinking of swapping to automatic. I'd like to keep the flathead, and prefer mopar tranny behind it over GM unit. Not fanatic, I just happen to have one 904 and even a driveshaft as a spare, using those would save me a buck.

[Olddaddy]

I do not believe a 904 will work. I thought so at the outset because I had always believed the 727/904 were the same case/bellhousing. However I could not find a 904 that would fit the adapter plate. I would prefer the 904, but the 727 is ok with me also.

[Fireball]

Mysterious, ofcourse SB 727 and SB 904 have the same bellhousing bolt pattern, otherwise they wouldn't fit behind SB...

[martybose]

,,,,, and if a 904 would fit, then an A-518 would fit as well, since the 518 is a 904 with an overdrive section in place of the tailshaft. There are two variants of the 518; an early one that uses a standard torque convertor and a later one that has a lockup convertor. In either case, the OD unit can be controlled by a simple toggle switch, or there are aftermarket computers that can shift automatically.

Marty, thinking of the possibilities .......

[Fireball]

Good point Marty. Hmmm... 998 and 999 will go as well :=) They are only upgraded 904's.

[Olddaddy]

It's a bit of a mystery to me also......when I'm in better shape I'll snap some pics of the adapter and the two trannies. None of it is here at the moment, out being duplicated for future sales, (I hope).

[martybose]

Good point Marty. Hmmm... 998 and 999 will go as well :=) They are only upgraded 904's.

I'm not that familiar with the 998's and 999's; but aren't they some of the Mopar trannies that were electronically controlled? the 518's aren't!

Marty

[Fireball]

Any pics of the adapter yet Olddaddy?

One queston to you guys with automatic tranny, how did you solve the handbrake issue, has everybody changed rear axle? Has somebody installed an hydraulic handbrake to original lines?

I'm already planning things in the back of my head without even knowing will I ever do it. This stiff clutch of mine seems to make me drool after an automatic

[Plymouthy Adams]

I'm not that familiar with the 998's and 999's; but aren't they some of the Mopar trannies that were electronically controlled? the 518's aren't!

Marty

Think you will find that these numbers are for the early cast iron units with cable (pushbutton) shift...and I think these also had a rear pump so push start was an option..

[Fireball]

Think you will find that these numbers are for the early cast iron units with cable (pushbutton) shift...and I think these also had a rear pump so push start was an option..

Actually this is just the other way around. 998 and 999 are later upgraded versions of 904 from 70's and 80's, 998 has 4 clutches in front drum, 999 has 5 clutches while the basic 904 had three. I think 998 was the first lock up converter around '79 or so

[Plymouthy Adams]

your are right..the 488 was the earlier model

[Rodger S-11]

OK Guys

The family tree is like this ... the lt duty A904 and its child the A998 and its child the A999. As the years went on the next generation got stronger. Then came the A500 with over-drive.

The bruts of the family was the A727. This was an givin if you had the slant six, the LA 273, the A or LA 318 and any 360. This transmission was part of every performance package, every tow package, every super duty, etc - etc. It too in time had an over-drive option behind the A727, they called it the A518.

If you just must have the over-drive, the pre-1992 A500 or A518 versions are what you look for since they need no computor.

If you use one of these transmissions, you can always brag the other comanies have an copy of yours.

OR, you can use the Three Speed Automatic that was issued first in May of 1956 to the Imperial Division, and the senior Crashliers that had push buttons. This transmission had an bell housing that unbolted in the same manner as the standard transmission. This was named "The Torque-Flite" ( first series). In the car world the transmission part was an standard duty, an med. duty and an Heavy Duty. if you use one of these, you will for sure have pure MoPar Parts and no after market adapters. If you only have the two speed shift unit for an Power-Flite, it will operate the three speed automatic too.

Uncle Rodger

S-11

COS

[Rodger S-11]

PT II

http://www.transmissioncenter.net/SwapInformation.htm

Uncle Rodger

S-11

[Olddaddy]

Here's a pic of my original Mopar item, the reproductions are still being made at the moment. You can solve the hand brake by using a 727 tranny that has the later style drum brake mounted on the tailshaft. My car has a late model rear end with disc brakes so I'm running the hand brake cable back to the rear calipers.

[Fireball]

Thanks Olddaddy. Do I understand this correctly, the part in first pic goes against flathead crank right? And then the flexplate for 727s converter is attached to this piece, and the converter then with it's original tabs against flexplate?

Sorry for the load of guestions here, but this topic is interesting. I like to learn new thhings whenever possible, and that doesn't happen too often due to lack of free disc space in my central memory

I have transplanted GM's Powerglide behind 360 mopar for racing, that kit from JW's in FL had more parts than what seems to be needed with your kit. So this design is better:cool: