i have a 65 dodge town wagon with a big block mopar and a 727 torqueflite. it is running a dana 60 rear end with 4.10:1 gears. while i love everything about the set up. i also like to cruise at 75-80 mph which is reving the engine pretty high. i've been doing some research on the a518, and it sounds like the way to go. near as i can see, a 1988-1994 a518 would be the ticket. haven't decided on electronic or hydraulic yet, any recommendations or comments on the 46re versus the 46rh? would like to keep it as simple as possible, but the re does have some advantages (lock up converter). as they make so many versions of the a518, what type vehicle should i be looking for a transmission from? it looks also like only the v8 's used the 46r transmissions? and the v10's and diesels used the 47r trans. and the v6"s used a 42 or 44r is this correct? any comments or suggestions will be welcome.. Chuck
As far as I know Chrysler didn't make any of these that will bolt to a big block. The bolt pattern is way different than the small block or diesel they were behind.
You will have to get a adapter from your big block to the 518's small block pattern, since no 518's have the big block pattern. 1993-1995 46RH's have lockup converters. The RE (1996+) is electric controled and needs a computer to control it, where the 46RH does not need a computer to control it. The 46RH is a better choice conversion wise.
yes, i know i will be needing the adapter kit. it is around $600.. no problem, and yes i hace decided on the 46rh transmission. they made two different ones of those. one has lock up converter and the other doesn't. i want the lock up. are they the same behind a v-6? or is that a 44rh? what year and models would i find these trannys in? thanks.
You might find info here. I do not have stock or interest in them. http://www.transmissioncenter.net/SwapInformation.htm
what about gear vendors over drive very strong. and you keep your 727 big convertor and shifter look here https://www.gearvendors.com/aghr4sm.html
1994-1995 Ram pickup or Ram Van will have the 46RH with lockup converter. I think the 44RH is in Dakotas
Remember that when mounting the small block trans on a big block you have to remove the dog-leg from block...not everyone likes to do this mod. Why not just swap to a 3.54 rear gear? That will drop the rpm by about 500, to around 3100, depending on your tire. .
yea, gear vendors was my first thought. they are a little pricey for my budget. i was hoping to do the complete project for around $1500. a gear venders would be great. as for a 3:54 ring and pinion, that would be another path i was considering, but i love the bottom end with the 4:10 gears. it is a dana 60, so it's a little more than just swapping the third member.
I think that means the piece of block that sticks out below the starter. But why it needs gone, I don't know.
This suggestion doesn't always go well with marque purists, but I know a couple of people here that have used adapters to mount the 700R4 behind their mopar engines to get the gear multiplication and overdrive. They also commented that the 700 fit the floorpan not too bad.
well, i guess i'm safe there. i'm definately not a purist. 700r4 i never thought of. the floorpan i don't think is a issue. this is in a dodge panel, and thewre is a lot of room under there. i'm going to look into that possibility. i have no problem cutting off a chunk of cast iron though. would rather not have to remove the engine though. wonder how they mount the star5ter on the 700 r4 application? on a mopar the starter mounts to the bellhousing. on a chevy it mounts to the block. may have to put a crank on the front of the engine to start it.
I'm pretty sure the Mopar starter is used; would bolt to the adapter plate. That's what is done on the Ford to GM trans adapters, too.
IMO, the best way to mate a 518 to a big block Mopar is with an Ultrabell adapter bellhousing. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/jpt-92457
anybody here ever done the ultra bell set up? i found a really good article on the install. this guy had a lot of problems, but passes all the info along so others can learn from it. http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Number=3453311
The Jalopy Journal
