changing out a 318 for a 360 i need help

[Pootus]

i finally found a 360 for my 1972 carger. the gy who i am buying it from says its out of a 73 dart. i was wondering if i need any special mounting brackets to make it fit? can anyone help me with this?
Pootus21@aol.com

[Ausydad]

From what I understand, the driver's side mount will be different. Everything else will be a direct bolt in. Try Schumaker for the mounts.

[dave571]

You'll need a torque converter also.

Either that or have a weight welded onto your's. Some transmission supply shops do that sort of thing.

[rumblefish360]

You can use some washers for the space diff. in the mounts until you get the correct mounts.
The weights in the last post is for the torque converter.
I would suggest upgradeing the tranny via rebuild or a 360 tranny. 318 trans can give way under added torque of a 360 if not preped right.

[AceVeres]

While on the subject.....
Im gonna be doing the same thig for my 74 coronet over the summer (starting to build the engine from block up in the next few weeks) i know i need to get a new rear end --a 8 3/4 to replace my 8 1/4, but my 904 torqueflight should hold up just fine, right?

[dave571]

Certainly a mater of opinion.

I would change the 904 to a 727 before I bothered switching the 8 3/4 for the 8 1/4. General concensus on the 8 1/4 is that it is good up too about 500 crank horse power.

The 8 1/4 has been used in truck, hauling applications for many years, and has proven itself as being reasonably good under medium abuse.

[3bolt main]

your tranny will be fine just replace the converter an A727 is an A727 unless of course its a 904

[AceVeres]

Originally posted by 3bolt main
your tranny will be fine just replace the converter an A727 is an A727 unless of course its a 904

uh....say that again? didn't quite make sense to me.

[3bolt main]

sorry ace that was for pootus i was trying to tell him that there is no difference between a 318 tranny and a 360 tranny

I would suggest upgradeing the tranny via rebuild or a 360 tranny. 318 trans can give way under added torque of a 360

your tranny will be fine just replace the converter an A727 is an A727 unless of course its a 904

still in your case i would switch out the 904 for a 727

[AceVeres]

Ok, so i keep the 8 1/4 stock rear end. If I was to change out the 904 for a 727 (keeping it automatic, decided manual is just too much effort) how hard of a job am i looking at? (if anyone has good links or guides for this please post them too)

[rumblefish360]

The 727 uses more HP than a 904.
The 904 tranny came in 3 read 3 different types.

sorry ace that was for pootus i was trying to tell him that there is no difference between a 318 tranny and a 360 tranny

Dude, your wrong. Out right wrong.
There was a 997-998-999 versions. The 999 version being the choice 360 unit. The 997 was the /6. The 998 was behind /6 and 318's.
The 727 is a bolt in- no brainer.

[AceVeres]

thnx fish --sorry for al lthe questions guys --when you 18 and this is your primary transportation, you wanna make sure you do everything right. 2 quick questions here-- with the 727:
I wouldn't have to worry about transmission hump size or anything right? (i have the 318 versoin 904 torqueflight right now)
and would it be fine to have the 727 in there running on my 318 until i got my 360 completed?

[rumblefish360]

Hey ACE;

You just keep askin OK. Not ever a problem.
I have not had a problem with hump size. But theres allways somthing. Take your time and be prepared for anything. Nothin is ever easy.
I'm not real familar with all the little details of this operation. I have done it a few times before. But that was a long time ago. I think I was 20 when I did it last. That be over 15 years now. I'm forgeting now.

would it be fine to have the 727 in there running on my 318 until i got my 360 completed?

Sure, it'll fine. Just a 10th slower. Thats all.

P.S. I still remember being 18 w/my Duster and trying to finish the fix or mod in time for work Monday morning while twisting a wrench @ 2:00 am in snow. It can suck when it's your only ride.

[AceVeres]

hehe, true, ture -- luckily i have all summer to work on it (my work is 2 miles from home and im on my frinds way there) come august 1st, i ship out for basic training (go navy!) in chicago and i stay there for my A school --elcetronic tehnician till about march or so, then its off to charleston S.C. takig my car and 360 (if its not done by then) with me to charsleton--the base auto garage is about 1/2 mile from the barracks, and a year and a half bieng there.... my car is gonna be real used to the ramps in the garage.

should be picking up the 360 bare block on the 4th of may or so, anyone know where i can get a cheap engine stand (or have one laying around they could sell to a needy 18 year old?)

[5thAve]

You might notice a bit of a power decrease putting a 727 behind the 318, but with a 360 you don't notice it.

The only changes needed for the 727 are the driveshaft needs to be shortened, the kickdown is a bit different, and if you have the style of shifter that uses a pivot between the frame and tranny the bracket for this pivot on the transmission is different (no big deal if it comes with the tranny). The yoke on the driveshaft is also different.

My 360 has been through 3 900 style trannies... if you're stuck for parts, money or time I'd just leave the 904 in there till it dies. Just remember that whichever one you use the 360 needs the external balance weight on the converter.

[Blaine Peterson]

5th ave,
You stated that your 360 has been though three 900 style transmissions. Just curious if any of those three tranny's was/were the 360 904?

[3bolt main]

Rumblefish360,never said there wasnt a difference between 904's i said

your tranny will be fine just replace the converter an A727 is an A727 unless of course its a 904

since he didnt say which tranny he had i was simply saying that in the 727 there is no difference. no need to be uptight about being right nobody said you were wrong. i only used your quote for reference not to knock on ya . now ,is the 904 also heavier (in weight) or does that change with the different castings?

[rumblefish360]

3boltmain;

This is what I was pointing to. A quote from your post.

i was trying to tell him that there is no difference between a 318 tranny and a 360 tranny

Now that its setteled....

About being uptight or writeing a reply as if I was, Sorry about that. Didn't mean to come off that way. I'm Not offended or upset in anyway and I hope the same for yourself. I am sorry.
As for the 904's. There lighter in weight due to a smaller case all around. I believe there all made from Aluminum. I'm not sure about the metal on the 727 case.

[Frank R]

Ace, one more opinion... Why complicate things? the 904 is a good tranny and will put up with just about anything you dish out( unless of course your pushing goobs of horsepower). It is readily available and can be rebuilt fairly inexpensively, and for a few dollars more you can add a shift improver kit (like transgos) and it will give you years of service. I have two 904s in service one in my Challenger originally a 318 car now with a 360, and one in my 'Cuda with a 340. Both engines have been warmed up pretty good and are pretty strong and the 904 has worked flawlessly. Just throw in the 360, wieght the coverter, put a shift improver in the tranny (about 20-50 bucks) and rock and roll !! If your tranny was broken or missing I would say yeah, go find a 727 but, if it is already in the car and has been working fine why screw with it if your horsepower doesn't demand the 727.... just my humble opinion on the matter....

[Frank R]

Ace, one more opinion... Why complicate things? the 904 is a good tranny and will put up with just about anything you dish out( unless of course your pushing goobs of horsepower). It is readily available and can be rebuilt fairly inexpensively, and for a few dollars more you can add a shift improver kit (like transgos) and it will give you years of service. I have two 904s in service one in my Challenger originally a 318 car now with a 360, and one in my 'Cuda with a 340. Both engines have been warmed up pretty good and are pretty strong and the 904 has worked flawlessly. Just throw in the 360, wieght the coverter, put a shift improver in the tranny (about 20-50 bucks) and rock and roll !! If your tranny was broken or missing I would say yeah, go find a 727 but, if it is already in the car and has been working fine why screw with it if your horsepower doesn't demand the 727.... just my humble opinion on the matter....

[Frank]

Just to confuse matters further

I have a 76 B200 with a 318 and a 727,
I also have an 86 B150 with a 318 and a 999,
and, I also have a 72 Dart with a 318, and a 998.

sheesh

Just trying to be helpful

[3bolt main]

hey frank ,are you trying to get your posts count up? LOL.. No hard feelings rumblefish360

[rumblefish360]

3bolt main , of course not. That be silly.
Frankendart72; Would the B-200 be a more heavy duty van/truck than the B-150. The way you listed the veh.'s, it makes sense. But then again, theres allways the item check box to twist things up when you order.

[Frank R]

That was just a classic example of why you should open the garage door when you warm-up the car.........

[3bolt main]

but we like that smell especially if its 116 octane Sunoco

[AceVeres]

alright, 4 more quick questions --

I have the opertunity to buy a 360 short block (used of coarse --no real info, just usable and rebuildable) for 100$ from a place in Spring, Texas (about 1.5 hours from here)

1. Is this a good deal?

2. What all does a short block come with?

3. What do i need to look for when i go up there to buy it (like problems and bad parts etc. --they say they are not cracked and rust free)

4. I should be able to bolt on alot from my current 318 onto this 360 right?

[5thAve]

Blaine, Forget if it was the 998 or 999 but one of them is stronger and was the one that came behind 360s and fleet & HD package 318s. Don't know what the last 2 were, could be either. These beefed up 904s were stronger then the regular ones but still not as strong as a 727.

Behind a 318 I trust a 904/998/999. Behind a 360 I don't. I've seen and heard of too many fail from stronger applications (& my 360 is stock BTW). For strip use the 904 is good, but for street I sure wouldn't go out and get one to use. If there is already one in there, or you have a 904 kicking around and not a 727 I'd run it till it dies and then do the change, but if you're starting out with nothing and looking for a tranny I'd go with the 727. I don't like replacing the tranny and the 904s didn't co-operate with my liking.

Ace, As far as what from the 318 can be used on the 360- basically everything can. The alternator, power steering, a/c, distributor, etc... are all the same. The 360 used a bigger 2bbl carb then the 318 and they won't interchange with eachother, but the 4bbls will. Exhaust manifolds will fit, usually 360 ones have more flow tho depending on what 318 manifolds you compare them to. To me if that engine is decent (asin it would still run the way it sits right now) I'd say it's worth that, especially since that 1.5 probably means you've looked and can't find anything closer but to some/most others it might not be. Look for vehicles for sale cheap that have a 360. You might get lucky and find something cheap that has it and you won't just get the engine but also spare parts (and everything will be guaranteed to work with the engine) and also parts that you might be able to sell to someone else to get some of the purchase price back.

[Pootus]

you guys been alot of help thanks. is there any way i can findout what tranny is in my car? are there any tags or anything that tells me?

[Pootus]

one more thing just as a reminder. i have a 1972 dodge charger had an original 318 2 barrell. what tranny do i have.

[AceVeres]

i would guess a 904 torque flight like i do in my 318 74 coronet

5th, thanks for the info on 2 of the questions --other two still need answering from someone out there?

2. What all does a short block come with?

3. What do i need to look for when i go up there to buy it (like problems and bad parts etc. --they say they are not cracked and rust free)