318 v8 in a B2

[Guest oldcarguy]

I have a 1950 B2 1-1/2ton truck that hasa 236 long block flathead six. Has anyone ever tried hooking up the crossmember/bell housing to a 318 Dodge V8?

[Tony_Urwin]

I can't imagine why you would want to connect a V8 to the original tranmission (unless you were going to use it as a stump puller). The ratios on Pilothouse transmissions are just not desirable.

I think a far better idea would be to swap in a 318 with a late model transmission and fabricate a new crossmember for the transmission. A lot of Mopar transmissions had a drop-out center section for the transmission crossmember that make it easy to fabricate a new crossmember. You would lose the stock pedals, but there are simple ways to hang pedals under the dash.

[anthonyb]

I transplanted a poly 318 and tranny from a 65 1 1/2 ton into my 53 B3FA. As you can see, there are some pretty serious mods that need to be made to the firewall to get it to fit.

The pedals were replaced with a hanging set from an old Jeep P/U. The driver side exhaust would have dumped right into the top of the steering box and the starter just barely clears the steering box, so that's as far forward as the engine can go.

May not be the best looking set up but it is unique.

[Rodger S-11]

Name-less Guy

What is wrong with your straight six now ???

If you go to the A318 or the LA 273-318-360 you will need an box load of 12 volt parts to make it work, plus the other stuff.

Have you looked into an pre-1955 Dodge ( 2 bbl poly version ) or De Soto V8 ( real heavy Chrysler's and Dodge's had poly's, but not one in an De Soto ) ??? They are both 6 Volt's and will mate to your transmission.

If you do this other's most likely will not what you have done, but with the 318.

Rodger & Gabby

COS

[oldmopar]

I transplanted a poly 318 and tranny from a 65 1 1/2 ton into my 53 B3FA. As you can see, there are some pretty serious mods that need to be made to the firewall to get it to fit.

The pedals were replaced with a hanging set from an old Jeep P/U. The driver side exhaust would have dumped right into the top of the steering box and the starter just barely clears the steering box, so that's as far forward as the engine can go.

May not be the best looking set up but it is unique.

Did you need to change the engine and trans mounts. I have a 63 D100 with a 318 from a 74 mated to a 4 speed (forget which one) I had plans to drop into a 49 1st series but I now also have a 49 B1D that I may use instead of then the P15.

[anthonyb]

The front mount stayed the same but the rear mounts for the tranny had to be changed. Not sure exactly what difference the 74 engine would have for front mounts vs. the 65.

[grey beard]

Abput twenty years ago I put a 318/torqueflite into a B1B. We used a Volare donor car and transplanted the entire K member into the truck - steering box and all. I unbolted the unit from the car and welded it into the frame with very little modification - went right in. Bigest hassle was fabricating a rear crossmember/mount for tranny. No other problems, and went down the road very nicely. Wish I still had it now. LOL