Hi,
I was hoping somebody here could help me determine the feasibility of an idea that just dawned on me.
Basically, I think I figured out how to make the common Dodge 727 - 518 swap work for us AMC guys.
Since we can't just bolt in a 518 (bell housing wont fit) I've been leaving the idea of overdrive alone since the external ones are SOOOOOOOOO expensive, but some recent research has shown the possibility that there may be a simple soultion:
Since the 518 is really just a 727 with a different tail housing (its just fatter so it can hold an overdrive unit), why can't I buy a used 518 from a 4x4 dodge p/u the junk yard and bolt the tail housing (and overdrive unit within it) onto my AMC 727 in place of the current tail housing?
It seems that it should be a simple thing to do since:
1. The tail housing both use the same flange / bolt locations
2. The valve body is NOT changed in any way -- as far as I can tell
---The O/D unit is electrically operated with a solinoid
---The only difference is that fluid gets to the overdrive for lubrication somehow.
3. Although the solinoid is meant to be controlled by a specially modified engine computer, there are lots of writeups on a simple pressure switch arrangement that should work well to controll it instead.
4. The 518 is said to only be about 2" longer then the 727 (in 4x4 form, anyway) so new u-joints are in order, but I don't think the flex change will be a problem.
So, my question is, what do you guys think about this idea? Keep in mind, I don't have any problem with chaging the output shaft if neccessary or with any of the selective thrust washers involved, etc...
I am rebuilding my 727 at the current time anyway, so it seems like a good time to do this now.
Thanks for any / all input!!
d)
I was hoping somebody here could help me determine the feasibility of an idea that just dawned on me.
Basically, I think I figured out how to make the common Dodge 727 - 518 swap work for us AMC guys.
Since we can't just bolt in a 518 (bell housing wont fit) I've been leaving the idea of overdrive alone since the external ones are SOOOOOOOOO expensive, but some recent research has shown the possibility that there may be a simple soultion:
Since the 518 is really just a 727 with a different tail housing (its just fatter so it can hold an overdrive unit), why can't I buy a used 518 from a 4x4 dodge p/u the junk yard and bolt the tail housing (and overdrive unit within it) onto my AMC 727 in place of the current tail housing?
It seems that it should be a simple thing to do since:
1. The tail housing both use the same flange / bolt locations
2. The valve body is NOT changed in any way -- as far as I can tell
---The O/D unit is electrically operated with a solinoid
---The only difference is that fluid gets to the overdrive for lubrication somehow.
3. Although the solinoid is meant to be controlled by a specially modified engine computer, there are lots of writeups on a simple pressure switch arrangement that should work well to controll it instead.
4. The 518 is said to only be about 2" longer then the 727 (in 4x4 form, anyway) so new u-joints are in order, but I don't think the flex change will be a problem.
So, my question is, what do you guys think about this idea? Keep in mind, I don't have any problem with chaging the output shaft if neccessary or with any of the selective thrust washers involved, etc...
I am rebuilding my 727 at the current time anyway, so it seems like a good time to do this now.
Thanks for any / all input!!
d)
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