360 engine from a 72-78 B-series van into a 74 challenger

[74 challenge]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post, regarding swapping in a 360 engine from a 1972-1978 Dodge b-series van to my 1974 dodge challenger. My challenger is currently a #'s matching 318 with the a904 tranmission.

I Was recently going through a junkyard looking for some odds and ends for my challenger when i spotted a 1972-1978 dodge B-Series van, upon looking at the information about the car it is a 360 with a 727 tranmission. Would this combo bolt into my challenger? I am having a hard time finding info about these vans and if this swap is possible i'd like to go get the engine and trans before winter so i could build them up over the winter.

I am 99% sure the engine bolting in is not a problem but most of my questions are about the tranmission, assuming I use both the engine and the tranmission from the B series van all the linkages (like kick down etc...) should in theory line up? or am I way off base here.

I have long been a mopar guy but am pretty new to the game i bought my challenger only 2 years ago at the age of 23 and this is my first classic car and am currently in the process of making it into a nice street/cruiser to take to car shows in the area and once I am satisfied with it i'd like to drive it down to Carlisle for the mopar show.

Thanks for any help. Please ask questions I have quite a bit of information about the engine in both vehicles.

-Scott.   

[GranCuda1970]

360 is a good motor and will perform nicely in your chally!!I had a Aspen r/t with a 360 for my first car and loved the motor. Stock It won,t win you trophy's at the drag strip but it has plenty of power to play with!

[GranCuda1970]

It will bolt in but I think you need to change the motor mounts.

http://www.engine-swaps.com/

[Chryco Psycho]

I am not sure about the van transmission the tailhousing will not have the shifter mounts cast in & I am not sure if ti is the same length but I think it is as I have used the Van 4 spds  but other wise it would bolt up

[74 challenge]

It will bolt in but I think you need to change the motor mounts.

http://www.engine-swaps.com/

Do you think i would need new mounts? in the description on that site is says I need those mounts to replace worn ones or if i was looking to swap to a new 360 magnum block.

[GranCuda1970]

B,C,E-Body V8 273/318 or 340/360 Replacement or Upgrade Kit

 '66-72 B, '70-74 E-Body 273/318 or 340/360. Want to swap your 318 for a new Magnum 360 but can't find the brackets you need? Or is your restoration project being held up by badly damaged or missing brackets? Well now you can stop spending fruitless hours at the wrecking yard - we've reissued the hard to find brackets you need. Kit includes powder-coated brackets, factory-style insulators and grade 8 bolts.
(see installation instructions and tech tips)




BCEA (273/318) - $144 + $18 S&H

BCELA (340/360) - $144 + $18 S&H

BX2L (273/318 with Poly-Locs)* - $264 + $20 S&H

*Poly-Locs on back order approx. 7 days

BX3L (340/360 with Poly-Locs)* - $264 + $20 S&H

*Poly-Locs on back order approx. 7 days

 I would go with them.
 

[74 challenge]

I am not sure about the van transmission the tailhousing will not have the shifter mounts cast in & I am not sure if ti is the same length but I think it is as I have used the Van 4 spds  but other wise it would bolt up

I am pretty sure the engine is not a problem and I am looking to do a small build on it so it would be a bit more potent. Most of my questions lie in the tranmission. I know I will need a new driveshaft to accept the longer 727 tranmission, I jsut really need to know if it will hook up to the existing console shifter without any issues, or if I could find the parts required to do the swap.

[GranCuda1970]

You can use the old motor mounts though! I think 360 / 318 motor mounts are interchangable. and You may be able to use your current 904 with the 360 if you still have it. A 904 is weaker than a 727 but it shifts faster from what i have read.

[74 challenge]

You can use the old motor mounts though! I think 360 / 318 motor mounts are interchangable. and You may be able to use your current 904 with the 360 if you still have it. A 904 is weaker than a 727 but it shifts faster from what i have read.

I still have the a904, it is in the car now, do you think it could handle a 400 horse engine? I'd also love a 4th/ overdrive gear.

I know for sure the crappy highway gear rear end is going soon.

[GranCuda1970]

Ask tactransman or Chrycho I am out of my league!

[PlumCraZRT]

I wouldn't put a 904 tranny behind 400hp...  Get the 727.  I'm almost certain the shift linkage would work fine, considering the transmission is from the same era your car is from.  Can you just crawl underneath it an look at how the shift linkage operates and decide then?

[Chryco Psycho]

The 360 uses a different engine mount on the left side from the 318 . The van mounts are totally different .
The 904 can easily be built to take the 360 , many use the 904 over the 727 for racing because it is lighter internally & uses less power but for street use I would try to use the 727  if it can be used from the van .
You will have to swap the tailhousing so you have the shifter mount  & cut the driveshaft to fit the longer 727 . You can use the 904 as is until it fails & have the 727 ready to go in when needed .
  the only way to get OD is to use a newer trans like the 518 or various other Chrysler or GM trans but this requires reworking the floor for clearance where the tosion bar crossmember is to tight

[Cooter]

Is there a such thing as a "Truck" oil pan on the "Truck" small blocks like it is with the big blocks? If so, then the car 360 pan will also have to be fitted. I believe the 727 is longer than the 904 IIRC...

[dutch]

     thought that van engines used a different oilpan too 

[Chryco Psycho]

Yeah I missed that , the van used a rear sump pan , you need a center sump car pan