Author Topic: 727 to A518 swap � a novice guide (Read 280892 times)

360FISH · « **Reply #90 on:** October 24, 2012 - 01:10:06 AM »

Quote from: bkilby on October 23, 2012 - 08:28:28 PM

My car used to be a 340/904 with stock linkage from carb and the slapstick. When I changed the engine to the current stroker, I changed the carb to a Holly and the kick down linkage to a cable. The slapstick linkage bolted right up the the old 727 I had after the 904 as well as the A518 I currently have. I don't know the answer to the flex plate and torque converter Q. However, I believe you can use the same flex plate but not the converter.

If the 518 is the two pin non-lockup then you can use the same TQ... I did with no problems...

Ebody73 · « **Reply #91 on:** October 26, 2012 - 11:01:12 AM »

Thanks guys, now to choose lock up or non lockup and get to work

Katfish · « **Reply #92 on:** November 17, 2012 - 09:07:48 AM »

Awesome work, it's great when someone goes through the process and details it for others.

leanburn · « **Reply #93 on:** November 19, 2012 - 06:19:03 PM »

I'm in the middle of this swap and I'm in the same boat as bkilby, my motor is 3/4" forward. The tranny fits like a glove without trimming but speedo is definitely an issue. My block is a 360 and I used my motor mounts off my 340, I'm sure their all the same

leanburn · « **Reply #94 on:** November 20, 2012 - 03:35:05 PM »

i think i may have figured it out. my bellhousing is from a 518 but were useing the od unit from a 618. i would like to compare some measurements from face of bellhousing to crossmember bolt location in od unit. can/will someone help me out? or maybe someone can tell me that they are different lengths.
the way it sits right now i will have to cut a small amount out of the od unit and unfortunately modify the beautiful crossmember that i bought off rory.

tactransman · « **Reply #95 on:** November 20, 2012 - 10:52:11 PM »

Quote from: leanburn on November 20, 2012 - 03:35:05 PM

i think i may have figured it out. my bellhousing is from a 518 but were useing the od unit from a 618. i would like to compare some measurements from face of bellhousing to crossmember bolt location in od unit. can/will someone help me out? or maybe someone can tell me that they are different lengths.
the way it sits right now i will have to cut a small amount out of the od unit and unfortunately modify the beautiful crossmember that i bought off rory.

518 and 618 OD units are the same on the outside, they just have more clutches in the clutch packs inside.

360FISH · « **Reply #96 on:** November 24, 2012 - 04:28:09 AM »

Quote from: leanburn on November 19, 2012 - 06:19:03 PM

I'm in the middle of this swap and I'm in the same boat as bkilby, my motor is 3/4" forward. The tranny fits like a glove without trimming but speedo is definitely an issue. My block is a 360 and I used my motor mounts off my 340, I'm sure their all the same

Wow LB, I wish I knew more about fiddling with engine placement. It seems interesting that you and bkilby
both had 340's originally. I don't know it if it means anything or is just a coincidence. All the research I did showed the speedo placement to be where mine ended up.
I wouldn't have had the gear to move the engine and probably would have found a way to grove the speedo into the xmember or the arched cross piece that goes over it.

I hope you find a reasonable solution!

Alan

Katfish · « **Reply #97 on:** November 24, 2012 - 05:44:18 AM »

Quote from: leanburn on November 19, 2012 - 06:19:03 PM

I'm in the middle of this swap and I'm in the same boat as bkilby, my motor is 3/4" forward. The tranny fits like a glove without trimming but speedo is definitely an issue. My block is a 360 and I used my motor mounts off my 340, I'm sure their all the same

Any way you could post some pics of the problem? Please post what you find or end up doing.
I'm looking at doing this swap, but I also have a 340.
Would like to learn if the trans-mount works before diving in too deep.

Thanks

leanburn · « **Reply #98 on:** November 26, 2012 - 12:48:29 PM »

i will post pics later. i think i'm going to modify the crossmember and i might have to get a 90 adapter for the cable. i would like to take some measurements for comparison if someone wants to work with me. i'm thinking of measureing a point from the k frame to crossmember, if thats the same then we could eventually narrow it down

mopinaround · « **Reply #99 on:** June 04, 2013 - 03:13:58 PM »

I know this thread is old, but I just finished my A518 install and thought it would fit best here. First of all I�d like to thank Alan for his write-up and support. Also Rory Fontana for the crossmember and installation tips. I�d also like to thank Paul G on the Charger site for the ideas of controlling the OD and LU shifting. The car is a 71 Challenger with a 93 360 magnum. The trans is a 93 46RH. Converter is a lockup with heavy duty clutches, 2500 stall.

I modified the trans as per Alan�s instructions, except I cut off an additional boss on the right rear. I also dented the trans tunnel on the right and left sides This allowed me to get the trans a little higher up in to the tunnel. I used Rory�s crossmember with the three 1/8� shims, plus I added an additional 1/2� shim. Clearance to the slapstick linkage is less than 1/8�, and less than 1/4� to the upper tunnel crossmember frame. The tailshaft still sits 1� lower than the old 727 tranny.

I wanted it to shift automatically, but because of my 3.91 gears and low manifold vacuum, I didn�t want to use the PATC setup. I bought two adjustable 60 psi pressure switches for $30 each, so I could set the mph the OD and LU come in. I ran a 5/16� line from the governor pressure port to the upper bellhousing mounting bolt. This puts the switches between the motor and the firewall, and I don�t have to climb under the car to adjust them. These work really well, presently I have the OD coming in at 42 mph and LU at 52 mph.

PATC has a deluxe control setup for the A518 for $375. If you look at it closely, it uses a B&M TH400 kickdown switch and a relay. I bought the kickdown switch and a relay from Summit for around $50. It is set so if you push the throttle down about 1� it cuts off the power to the OD and LU solenoids and you�re back in drive. Let up and it shifts back into OD and LU. Works well.

I have a second high beam dimmer switch mounted on the floor as an on/off switch for racing, etc. I�m also using the Bouchillon kickdown cable and bracket. Great products.

The driveshaft was shortened 2.5�. If you notice in the pic, the grease fitting is in the cap, so I can actually grease my u-joints. These are Spicer 7260 joints, p/n 5-1306-1X.

Thanks for this great site and all the info I got here.

Katfish · « **Reply #100 on:** June 04, 2013 - 07:30:56 PM »

Good info, you mention,

"The tailshaft still sits 1� lower than the old 727 tranny"

I guess this means you need to adjust the pinion angle?
What is the limiting factor for this?
What would need to change in order the get the tail-shaft back to the factory position?

Thanks!

72cudamaan · « **Reply #101 on:** June 04, 2013 - 08:27:27 PM »

Those 1306 u-joints are nice. Just make sure when you grease them you purge grease
from all 4 seals. Those joints are very susceptible to drying out 1 or 2 caps otherwise. Thanks
for the update. I'm still trying to find a 46rh near me to do the swap.

mopinaround · « **Reply #102 on:** June 06, 2013 - 10:18:16 AM »

Katfish
The tranny is 4.6" from the top of the tunnel. The 727 was 3.6". It was .75" more, that's why I dented the tunnel, to get more clearance to raise it some. The tranny is at a t a 4� downward angle, my rear end is at a 2� upward angle. I know they should be parallel, but I have absolutely no vibration issue. The limiting factors are the upper crossmenber frame and the slapstick sifter rod. Both would have to be modified, and I wasn't into doing that. Alan has taken his Cuda on a long trip and hasn't had any issues with his. Mabey it will shorten the u-joint life, I don't know, but for now I'm going to drive it. It is GREAT.

72cudaman
Thanks for the tip. I will make sure to do that. I had a hard time finding a 46rh, also. I ended up getting a well used core and having it rebuilt.

72cudamaan · « **Reply #103 on:** June 06, 2013 - 12:44:03 PM »

Quote from: tactransman on November 20, 2012 - 10:52:11 PM

518 and 618 OD units are the same on the outside, they just have more clutches in the clutch packs inside.

So is a "618" a stronger trans? and is it worth the effort to find one? I'd have it rebuilt either way.

ntstlgl1970 · « **Reply #104 on:** June 06, 2013 - 04:31:11 PM »

Quote from: 72cudamaan on June 06, 2013 - 12:44:03 PM

So is a "618" a stronger trans? and is it worth the effort to find one? I'd have it rebuilt either way.

The 618's were used in the V10 and Diesel 3/4 ton and up trucks. Honestly, I don't think the extra beef is needed on a vehicle that is 1000 to 1500 lbs lighter than one of those trucks. The 618 has more reinforcement ribs around the servos in the main case, which makes it harder to fit in the trans tunnel. Like TAC said, the overdrive section is the same with different numbers of clutches inside. The 518 can take pretty much all the 618 parts in a case that is easier to fit. If I was to do another one of these transmissions, that's what I would do - take the heavier duty parts from the 618 and put them in the 518 case. Would have made for less cutting on my car...

Last, but not least, most 618's will be an electronically controlled trans, you need a computer to run the governor solenoid in addition to running the OD and Lockup solenoids. If you decide to run one of these you will be pretty much on your own for figuring out how to control it. There is very little aftermarket support for retrofitting one of these into an early car.

Author Topic: 727 to A518 swap � a novice guide (Read 280892 times)

360FISH

Re: 727 to A518 swap � a novice guide

Ebody73

Re: 727 to A518 swap � a novice guide

Katfish

Re: 727 to A518 swap � a novice guide

leanburn

Re: 727 to A518 swap � a novice guide

leanburn

Re: 727 to A518 swap � a novice guide

tactransman

Re: 727 to A518 swap � a novice guide

360FISH

Re: 727 to A518 swap � a novice guide

Katfish

Re: 727 to A518 swap � a novice guide

leanburn

Re: 727 to A518 swap � a novice guide

mopinaround

Re: 727 to A518 swap � a novice guide

Katfish

Re: 727 to A518 swap � a novice guide

72cudamaan

Re: 727 to A518 swap � a novice guide

mopinaround

Re: 727 to A518 swap � a novice guide

72cudamaan

Re: 727 to A518 swap � a novice guide

ntstlgl1970

Re: 727 to A518 swap � a novice guide