trans ???????'s

[Ausydad]

I'm getting my BB's and RB tommorrow. My question is, since these are 8 bolt crank flange 1959 motors, where can I find a flex plate to bolt up to a more modern non-lockup 727? And does it require an adaptor for the bellhousing bolt pattern??

[gsmopar]

B&M lists several SFI approved flex plates for the 8 bold crank. Here is a link

Summit Racing (B&M) Flex Plates

Later,

Greg

[John Kunkel]

The crank flange on the pre '62 BB motors extends further back and is totally different than the '62 and later, so the later transmissions can't be installed with a simple flex plate or adapter.
The only way to install a 727 behind an early motor is to change the crank to a '62 0r later.

[Billydelrio]

I happen to have in my possession an adapter set that will connect an early "A" (56 - 62) to a bigblock 727. The trans adapter is about 1" thick and the flexplate adapter is an 8 to 6 bolt adapter. The draw back is the starter. The starter has to be mounted on the adapter plate facing the opposite direction on the opposite side of the engine. I have two starters for this conversion and they weigh MUCHO. I was told by the previous user of this set-up that the starters were used on the old wwII military "Duce & a Halfs." This exact adapter set was used in my 64 Dart when I got it. I did not want to use a Poly, so the whole adapter set was taken out and is currently stacked in the corner of the barn. Oops, I loaned the starters to a guy who needed one for his real old 35 ton crane, so they are in his barn now.

The flange of the old 318 cranks can be cut off and changed to a more modern six bolt pattern. The end of the crank needs to be bored for a converter pilot also. The thing to do at one time(before my time) was to take a 277 or 301 crank and put it in a .040 over 340 block to have a 3.12 stroke 326 cubic inch High RPM screamer. I have a shortened early poly crank in the barn also. It will see a .030 cleaning up and go into a street engine. I am typing too much now...

Billy

[Ausydad]

Hey Billy,
Can ya email me?? I would like to see photos of what your talking about. Thanks
Ausydad@yahoo.com

[John Kunkel]

Cutting the flange and welding/machining is a little extreme and expensive when you consider that late cranks are plentiful and not that expensive.

[Billydelrio]

Ausydad

I can get photos and scan them to jpegs for you, but it will take a few days.

John

You are right. Sometimes, however, we just do what we do because we have the parts and tools to do it. I just hate to see old but useable parts going to waste!

[Billydelrio]

I finally scanned the photos of the adapter. This adapter was used to adapt a n early (long crank) poly to an aluminum 727 with big block pattern. The photos have it on a LA 318 block.

[Billydelrio]

Here is another photo of the adapter.

[Ausydad]

I received just 2 days ago a good 6 bolt crank from a newer 383 that was a 4 spd car and has a pilot bearing intact. Perfect fit for the 833 under the bench. Now I need a flywheel and bellhousing.....