engine swap 51 plymouth

[dr47]

any one do this swap ,? I have a 1951 plymouth cranbrook I have a chance to pick up 1969 dodge 318 with 727 that has a rear brake drum on it ,it came out of motor home , he put a ton of money in engine ,and had transmission  rebuilt ,but was still under powered for his towing needs ,so he did diesel swap, now i know i can probably get the engine in to clear steering box but is  there enough room for  trans  bell housing   and the brake drum on the end of transmission without modification of the tunnel, if someone has done this swap  please give insight,  Thank you

Edited April 1, 2019 by dr47

[Plymouthy Adams]

It is invasive and will require a number of changes....engine needs be offset, special A-body exhaust manifold for driver side makes it even easier.  Transmission was not an issue with my installs..linkage and shifter also not an issue but require some special changes to the interior arrangement.  If upgrading steering column and steering things get easier yet for linkage and levers but you now altering your steering...R&P is a great add on as is disc shocks with the added power as you will now want to drive it more in line to that of a modern vehicle.  Shock relocation is a great upgrade.   So basically this engine tranny install, modern column (optional) R&P, disc and shocks will make a vast improvement. Less time off the road for the mods as they are less invasive.  Just keep in mind, if you go this route, think it through, compile you list of needed structure repairs and mods and keep in mind there is often no turning back and no trophy for incomplete work.

[Andydodge]

I am curious regarding exactly what engine/trans you have as I understood that the transmission mounted parking brake was dropped after 1963...........couple of questions......is your engine a 318 wedge, ie, rocker covers are straight edged along their top and bottom?...........is the trans all alloy or does it have an alloy bell housing and rear extension, with a cast iron gearbox in the middle.........lol ........I have installed a 1962 318 Poly & cast iron Torqueflite with the drive shaft handbrake in my 1940 Dodge.......its a tight fit around the brake drum and chassis X member but it does fit tho' I do have it mounted lower than most instalations............I installed a rack & pinion so the steering box issue didn't eventuate ............so am curious re your engine etc......Andy Douglas.

[dr47]

I have not been able to look at the engine in person yet ,but from the few pictures  i have it looks to be  the LA 318  4 barrel  all though he say's it industrial engine the trans looks to be one pieces  alloy with brake drum on the end ,  it was in a small motor home ,  i would like to do this with changing the steering box , i just though someone might have done this swap and could tell what motor mounts  trans, mounts   and cross member  they used ,thank you

[kencombs]

On 4/2/2019 at 12:50 AM, Andydodge said:

I am curious regarding exactly what engine/trans you have as I understood that the transmission mounted parking brake was dropped after 1963...........couple of questions......is your engine a 318 wedge, ie, rocker covers are straight edged along their top and bottom?...........is the trans all alloy or does it have an alloy bell housing and rear extension, with a cast iron gearbox in the middle.........lol ........I have installed a 1962 318 Poly & cast iron Torqueflite with the drive shaft handbrake in my 1940 Dodge.......its a tight fit around the brake drum and chassis X member but it does fit tho' I do have it mounted lower than most instalations............I installed a rack & pinion so the steering box issue didn't eventuate ............so am curious re your engine etc......Andy Douglas.

Andy, I believe trans mounted brake was continued for several years for motor home applications.  I know I've seen several 413  engine/trans combos using the 727 trans with a parking brake installed.  These all had the industrial heads and water pump setup.  I'm sure smaller units used the LA engine also.

[DJ194950]

dr47,

 

Check out this guy for motor mounts etc.

 

May work for you!

 

https://butchscoolstuff.com/

 

DJ

[Andydodge]

Ken.....thanks for the info, its good to learn something new..............andyd

[wayfarer]

There are several LA swaps buried in the archives so start digging. The p-brake might be an issue as they are pretty good sized units.

There is also and old magazine article called 'updating a middle age Mopar' (old Rod Action Magazine) with an amazing number of photos and details...it may or may noy be found on line.

[dr47]

Okay ,so I got the owner of the engine to send me the engine number ,this is what he sent, E 318-3-761023 he said it came out of a 1969 dodge Travco  M-300  maybe  someone has more insight on this, can someone tell  me the difference  between  this 318 and the one comes out of a car of that era , would it be worth buying or should I look for something else ,thank you 

[Zorba9]

Here is an alternative engine option that we have done to my 1950 P19 fastback - a new " block up" rebuild of a Chevrolet 4.3 vortec V-6 engine with a 5 speed transmission. The fit in the engine compartment is just right with the drivers side exhaust manifold re-configured upside down so exhaust pipe goes forward then down in front of the fan before going back under motor to the rear, thereby missing the steering box. Motor was rebuilt from a 1988 S10 so is carbuerated without all the electronics except for electric fuel pump. The setup runs like a champ.

True, I have zombie mopar, but the fastback styling of the P19 is one of the coolest hot-rods out there!!

 

Zorba

Edited April 8, 2019 by Zorba9

[wayfarer]

On 4/7/2019 at 6:48 AM, dr47 said:

Okay ,so I got the owner of the engine to send me the engine number ,this is what he sent, E 318-3-761023 he said it came out of a 1969 dodge Travco  M-300  maybe  someone has more insight on this, can someone tell  me the difference  between  this 318 and the one comes out of a car of that era , would it be worth buying or should I look for something else ,thank you 

The 318-3 is indeed a 'heavy-duty' application (as defined by the '-3'). The -3 is usually a truck engine and you may find certain oddities such as a cast iron water pump instead of the pass-car aluminum part. In a Class C MH (essentially a B-300 van) that should be about the only odd part. The heavy-duty aspect gives you a forged crankshaft and perhaps sodium filled exhaust valves.

The 318 should be an excellent choice for your swap but you may want to look over the rebuild invoice to see what was done and whether or not the asking price reflects the work done.

My question would be regarding whether or not the brake assembly will clear the floor but, plenty of 318-TF have been installed in these cars so there is no mystery there.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I believe the -3 also will indicate the presence of a forged steel crank over that of cast found in base line 318's    The cam profile being application was that of an RV is a high torque producing grind and is reference as a truck/rv in aftermarket profiles.  I have one of these blocks here that was a running unit...I slipped the cam out of it and installed it in a 79 LeBaron two door sedan that had a wipe #7 exhaust lobe, was at one time the county coroners car..sure woke that engine up, dual exhaust for rich tone....gave it to my parents, my  momma believe it or not loved the sound of that car...

Edited April 10, 2019 by Plymouthy Adams