Are 273, 318, 340, & 360 ci. motors all the same, as in "small blocks" ?,...and the 383, 413, & 440 ci. motors, "big blocks"? ...and would a 727 be considered a "small block" trans?
a 727 can be in both small and big block configurations (they have different cases). the 904 is usually behind the little motors. small block configurations are similar, big blocks come in 2 versions: B and RB. RBs (413, 426wedge, 440) are taller than Bs (old 350, 361, 383), they take different intake manifolds. Lots to learn about mopars....
Hey Mopar Fans, Here are a couple 'o' great places to learn to speak Mopar: http://www.forwardlook.net/ http://allpar.com/mopar.html I'm sure there are more, but these are great places to start. Greg
Thanks docauto, that's what I thought...found an intake that the guy says fits a 360, AND, a 383!, (It's a Weiand WPD 39, 3x2)... I didn't think that was right! Also found a rebuilt 727, but didn't know about the different cases...what do I look for? Thanks for the links tazzeller...
The bolt patterns are different for the small and big mopars, it's pretty obvious when you see both at the same time. The 727 is a much larger trans than the 904. the big block trans has a very "cone" shaped bellhousing, the small one not so much (sorry for the vague description, but when you see both it'll be apparent). The manifold the guy has is probably for a 361/383, the are the same. Pretty common mistake mixing up the 360 and 361.... completely different animals though.
The 273-360 are all considered LA engines (small-blocks). If memory serves me, the A engines were the early 60's polyspheres. Then you have the B engines and the RB (raised-block) engines that are considered big-blocks. The beauty of a small mopar is the engine size is part of the casting number on the side of the block, behind the exhaust manifold. If the casting number contains the numbers 3-4-0, it's a 340 etc... The same is not true of the big blocks. As far as the torqueflite, the only difference is the bell housing pattern. All of the internal parts are interchangeable. You can pull the guts out of a big block tranny and put them in a small block case or visa versa. Off hand, I don't know of a way to tell the two apart at a glance.
...that makes sense now, the 361/383 deal, that's probably what it is,...I can't find a reference anywhere as to the application for a Weiand WPD 39... I was looking for a 3x2 intake for a 318, did anyone make one other than the pricey factory setup? ...and come to think of it, that 727 I saw was large and "cone" shaped... Thanks docauto! wrenchbender54....good info, thanks
The 727 is a great trans! Small block cases are getting hard to find. They even made variants that bolted to the slant 6, jeep 6 cylinder (in some mail jeeps), Cherokees and to International 345/392's in Loadstar 1600 and 1700 series trucks. Good luck on your project. Dave
To the best of my knowledge, the only 3x2 is the factory style 6 pack. One of my side projects right now includes plans to give my 318 a more "vintage" look. As soon as I get the paterns done, I'm going to cast a pair (or two) of small block finnned alluminum, center bolt valve covers. I'm also kicking around the idea of building a 2x4 or 2x6 log intake since the only intakes readily available are the 6 pack or a single 4, and they just look too muscle car-esque. One more thing on the trannies, the small block T.F. is also trumpet shaped (compared to a 904 at least).
On a side note - the 360 is externally balanced and 273, 318, 340 are internally balanced. Requires a different torque converter since the weights and ring gear are on the converter. I just sold a 340 six pack set up on Ebay. Complete for $1200. Edelbrock sells a reproduction intake. Edelbrock also made the original 340 aluminum six pack intake, but it had Chrysler casting # on it along with the Edelbrock name.
There are 2 318s, one from '57 - '66 (the Poly 318 - up to '67 in Canada and trucks), and the LA 318, from '67 and up. You're talking about the latter, I'm assuming. The bottom ends are about the same, and the bellhousings are the same as an LA on post-'62 Poly 318s, but the heads and top end are way different. I guess an A 318 is a big small block, but the LA 318 is a poked & stroked 273. ~Jason
If there is a bolt hole top and center on the bellhousing...it's a SB trans.... Here's a site with lots of info...http://mymopar.com/tools.htm Trans stuff... http://mymopar.com/downloads/transguide.pdf
Do the small blocks use a seperate valley pan?,(don't have a motor handy to look at),....or would you have to fabricate something like that if you're going to do a log-style intake? I'm trying to do the same thing, want a more vintage look for a 318,...I found some fenderwell headers at a swap meet, (have never seen them for a small Mopar before!), and am building a chopped & sectioned '39 Dodge pickup, that I want to keep all Mopar...
"No....small block Mopes are like SBC's.......as far as intake mounting..." __________________ ...that's what I thought...I went to Edelbrock's web site, all they have listed are single 4bbl intakes...unless I'm missing something...
To identify the 904 and 727 look on the outside of the case behind the starter location. A-727 or A-904 will be in raised lettering although sometimes very faint. Also, compare the oil pan. The 727 has a pronounced 'bump' where the dip stick enters. ...and don't forget the 'Golden Lion' 383, which is an RB .....
Lots of other little diferences, but the main stuff has been covered. On the intake, a small block will seal all the way around, like a SBC, except the dist. does not go through the intake. A BB intake will not seal at the front and back, only at the head surfaces. It uses a 'bathtub' intake to seal the top of the motor. Looking at pictures online should get you the idea.
For those of us who want 3 pedals and a small block MOPAR, what transmission options are there? My 36 Plymouth coupe is going to be all Mopar, and I have gathered up a running 360, but haven't decided on a tranny.
Maybe one of these? http://www.keislerauto.com/mopar/index.html That's what Lou (a HAMBER) used in Project Overkill (the Challenger from Musclecar on PowerBlock/SpikeTV). ~Jason
Don Man...Close, but no cigar. 318's and 340's come both ways, internally and externally balanced. Iron or steel crank makes the diff.
I`ve never seen an externally balanced 318 or 340. I thought I knew a fair amount about Mopars. Guess not.
Southfork.. The A833 four-speed is the choice for your LA engine. If you aren't gonna get too crazy with the power output, you could try the aluminum cased O/D out of a Duster or a half ton pickup. Just to confuse the issue, Mopar calls these the A833, too, so check carefully to ascertain which one you find. The O/D one has one of the shift levers sticking down, the non-O/D ones all point up. If it's an iron case, it's not O/D, but some straight 4's were aluminum.
There were different splines per application....not by year. 18 spline for 440's and Hemi's, 23 spline for all others.....And either one is plenty strong. There are three different input bearing retainer sizes, so ya gotta get a bellhousing with the proper register.....
360 is a 'RB' thats why it would fit the older 383 ( 2 types of those 'RB' &'B' ) not to be confused with 360 small block which is a 'LA' .
5 speed dodge dakotas would be my first choice, the "stronger" trannys from the musclecar era cost big$
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