motor swap...

[GaWd]

My brother and I are working a deal for a Road Runner. It comes with 4 complete motors. One of them is a 383, and I was wondering if there was any way to mate this to a tranny?

Advanced Adapters does not do dodge/chryco stuff, and I don't know who else makes adapers bellhousings and such.

TIA

Sam

[Gladi8r]

Not sure if the old 383 has the same bolt pattern as the newer chryco vehicles or not. If so, you might wanna see about a complete Dodge truck drivetrain swap into your FSJ. This is not gonna be a drop in and run deal, but I have an idea that you already know that :D

[porchpiggy]

I'm thinking of a 440 swap in my post 80 GW next year, and the best i've been able to figure is the TF727's are all the same 23 spline output. So if I use a mopar motor and tranny (I'll need a big block 727 anyway) it should bolt up to my NP229. Transmission mounts to the same crossmember in original location, so the only thing I have to "locate" is motor mounts. Driveshafts stay the same. So, I would figure you could do this even with a pre 80 pass drop fsj, just use a earlier mopar transfer case that is pass drop. You could prob even use a post 80 crossmember, but I would think the driveshaft lengths would need modified. I don't see how you could keep the TH400 and/or QT or D20. :cool:

[GaWd]

Well, I was looking for SM465 bellhousing/output shaft conversion, but I don't know if there are any.

If I decide to do it, I'll probably end up with a TF727. Did they ever make a TF727 with a 4 speed? Can the TF727 be mated with an NP205? I have Checky drivelines right now, so they're adjustable for length.

THose are my more specific questions I guess.

Sam

[porchpiggy]

yep, dodge used the 205 and 203 in the 70's (early 80's?)behind the 727 and they will be pass drop. What did dodge do for a 4spd manual? I know they put the 203 and 205 behind it for many years, in fact I was suprised to see a 78 crew cab short bed 3/4 ton with a 203 behind the granny low four speed. I don;t know what the auto od transmissions are, but to my knowledge the mopar bellhousing bolt patterns are the same since 1967, two versions, big block and small. The 383 is a big. BTW the 383 is a pretty gutsy engine, but I've heard it's small stroke for it's bore, better in the mid to upper RPM. :cool:

[ April 06, 2002: Message edited by: porchpiggy ]</p>

[Retro93]

Gawd/porchpiggy,

Dodge used both the NP 435 and 445 four speeds in front of tne 203 or 205 transfer cases. The 435 has a lower first gear [6.68:1] than the 445 [in the 4 or 5:1 range]. The easiest way to tell the difference between them is that the 445 has a syncro first gear. Parts are readily available for the 435..not so for the 445.

Any B block truck bellhousing would work with these transmissions.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Kim

[GaWd]

Damm, Retro...I thought I had figured out a plan of action...then you went and mucked it all up in my head! smile.gif

Ok...new questions...

Can I use a TF727 behind a 383? Dodge installed the TF727 and mated it to an NP205 for at least a few years.

Does the bellhousing need to be specifically a truck bellhousing? Or would a standard big-block bellhousing work fine?

Thanks guys!

Sam

Woops...one last question. Are the Chevy NP205 and Dodge NP205 the same? or do I have to do some input/output shaft swapping?

[ April 06, 2002: Message edited by: GaWd ]</p>

[Retro93]

Hi Sam,

Gave you a few more options eh? smile.gif

To answer your questions:

Yes you can use a TF727 transmission behind any Chrysler engine. You will need to find one that was mated to a "B" block engine. [361,383,413,426 wedge or 440] That will give you the correct flex plate, torque converter and starter. Chrysler used this trans. with both the NP 203[most common] and the 205. They also had a divorced 205 that was used in short box pickups with an automatic.

You would be best sticking with the Dodge truck bellhousings. They will give the correct set back and bolt pattern to attach the truck 4 speeds to. They are pretty common in the boneyards.

As far as the NP205 goes the Dodge and GM units are the same except for the input shaft and adaptors. GM has 3 different versions of the 205. They are: 10 spline input used behind SM465's
27 spline input used behind TH350's
32 spline input used behind TH400's
Chrysler only used one input spline setup...23 spline. It would be possible to switch the input gear from Chrysler to GM, but then you would have trouble finding an adaptor. Best bet is to just look for a complete driveline to get the parts you need.

Regards,

Kim

[ April 06, 2002: Message edited by: Retro93 ]</p>

[GaWd]

Wow Retro, thanks for the info.

So all I really need is a TF727, B block bellhousing(I assume B block means big block), and a Dodge input shaft for the NP205, right?

Sam

[Jerk]

as far as 383s go for power, my buddy just dropped a severly used 383 in a severly used 68 charger and even though the things burns oil when revved, it does burn tires off too!, this is in a boat of a car and its a newer 383 (I think the last year was 73 but I could be way wrong, anyway it aint the hipo ones they used in the 68 roadrunners. fun stuff, He's trying to build a 440 for it now, and do body reapair and paint and interior work too...what a headache. BTW it has only a 500cfm carter afb on it and stock exhaust manifolds and 1.875" duals.

[GaWd]

Nah nah nah, 383s rock some Great Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogley.

THis Road Runner comes with 2 440s and 2 383s...one of the 383s is pumped.

Ok, I'll try to hunt down a TF727, a floor shifter kit for it, a Dodge powerwagon Big block bellhousing and an NP205 input shaft for a Dodge.

Thanks so much!

[porchpiggy]

That is gonna kick butt. Keep me in mind when you figure out the motor mounts, I'd love the info/pics. :cool:

[GaWd]

Ya PorchPiggy...I'm sure that'll be a freakin blast. :(

So many things to think about...Tranny mounts, Motor mounts and T/C mounts. Blecch. I'll have to find a donor truck for sure.

When done I'll offer plans/specs up, though.

Sam

[porchpiggy]

Thanks.

[Jerk]

no, I'm saying even with small carb and exhaust, and not the bad Great Googley MoogleyGreat Googley MoogleyGreat Googley Moogley version 383, in a 4000 pound car it still burns em! BTW (think 401) I have heard of guys building (think 401) other engines and putting (think 401) them into their jeeps. I'm not sure, but (think 401) I THINK an AMC v8 might be (think 401) easier to bolt into place. Plus (think 401) you can build them to make pretty tremendous power (think 401) and be streetable besides. PLUS- an AMC v8 (think 401) is actually smaller than a chryco big block. therefor (think 401) you could buy a junkyard AMC v8, (think 401) build it up, (think 401) and send it to me. then you could put a different AMC v8 in your rig (think 304). :D none too subtle, eh?

[GaWd]

Umm, Matt, if you notice my Sig...well, let's say a PO has already taken the AMC/Kaiser running gear out. And the only plus to me getting this was that it DIDN'T have a 327/360/401 AMC motor in it.

Since the original(think 401) motor and tranny and motor mounts are already gone, I think I'll just continue to modify it rather than returning it to stock(think 383).

Sam

[GaWd]

Aah, one least wuestion for the MOPAR crowd...

What trucks/years came with big block motors/NP205 T/Cs?

Sam

[Jerk]

duh.... thorry, I methed up! :D 383s are cool, but you may have a problem with spark plugs. changing them in a 68 charger is a HUGE pain in the HASS! probably not your cheif concern though....

[porchpiggy]

Matt, I've been thinking about some of that stuff doing my research, I would be very disappointed if zi had to remove the front clip every time I did plugs, but guess what?? Changing plugs in my 88GW 360 is a major PITA right now!! :D

[GaWd]

How much wider is a bigblock than a small block?

I have tons of room with a Chevy SB. Anyone got width measurements?

Sam

[Jerk]

I know the external dimensions of a chevy bb vs sb are close, but the bb is longer, I'm not sure about chryco, dude. :( My buddy w/ the charger is working nights all this month so I probably won't see him anytime soon either. :( sorry - Matt