413 Cu. In. Dodge in a 49-51 Merc.

Any one out there installed a 383-413-426 Dodge wedge engine with 727 Torque flite in a 1949-51 Merc. A good friend has this combo for sale at a reasonable price and I would like to try it if it is feasable. Any comments for or against are appreciated. I have researched the question with out any results. Larry

 

I can't help you with info about the swap, but I'll warn you you expect a reprimand or two from those who object to inter-manufacturer marriages.

 

At least it's not a s.b.c.
Big block mopars are bad ass.

 

I just saw one with an early hemi in it so a wedge should fit.


The one I used to own has a 455 Olds in it that fits pretty well but it has a 75 Monte Carlo frame under it.

 

The Hemi pictured above is a bit deceiving since it is a Dodge.

The B-RB engines are not really a huge hunk, not like the 429-460 piece, so there is hope. The advantage may be that there are about a dozen different exhaust manifolds for them. Also, there are several different oil pan configurations to choose from.
Usually, the biggest issue is the oil filter/oil pump location, but a remote filter takes care of that. Having the distributor up front is a definite plus.

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I love your style !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Larry- I'll step out on the limb here..... When it come's down to it,what will suffice for the powerplant? Your car is VERY NICE. Is it for the cool factor,or what's available? Plans on driving=long distance,around town,local with a few short trips....? Come's down to if.and there always is an "IF", say something happened,your aways from home,and the local part's store just "didn't carry" your needed part- Then what? If it's just resolving the flatty prob,I'm just saying that for your needs,whatever they may be,maybe,just maybe,something that might be available on a sunday afternoon,and able to get from the $10 an hour "counterperson",might be better in the long run. Just my .02C.
Older or exotic will always be more trouble,but food for thought. I'm not condoning any brand here,just maybe something that parts are available "off the shelf"= IE- alt,starter,FP,WP,gaskets.......You'll never have enough,or the "perfect" back up plan, but just in case......
I know it will be right none-the -less.

 

I appreciate your input, all good points, basically I am looking for a reliable long distance driver with enough balls for around town. That is whay I am thinking bigger cubes with a decent overdrive trans or a highway gear rear end. That is one of the main reasons for not pursuing the flattie, as a stocker in a heavy car it can barely pull itself along. I also appreciated the rare parts replacement factor comment, but I also want to stay away from F.I. engines. Larry

 

if that 413 is an industrial, walk away unless it runs well and is $200 or modified, way to tell is it has tall heads with a water port front and rear on the head. those motors are best left powering motor homes, as the heads were low flowing lumps of iron, but ya can swap the cam / heads / intake and have a decent runner.

 

I had a 413 in my 63 New Yorker. That think would smoke the hell out of the tires.

For the most part, with exception of some internals specific to this engine, it is an RB Mopar and most external parts as well as cams, rocker arms, ect... that would fit a 440 would fit this engine as well. I have no experience with the industrial version.

 

#9;
We used stock truck & industrial 361/413 shortblocks to build blower motors out of with no more than a cam change. Even used the stock double row timing chain, hv oil pump, and huge 7qt pan when they were put in the straight axle car. A lot of the earlier 60's truck engines had solids and adjustable rockers to boot.
Just add heads, mag, the blower & manifold, and boogity boogity boys.........
Aftermarket pistons would have helped with recip weight, but never had the money, and inexperienced as we were we couldn't lean it hard enough to hurt those 4 ringers. Every late hemi/B style was hard on bearings, but the 8 bolt crank and big rods in HD motors were blower motor tuff.
Tom S. in Tn. (wish I could enlarge these pics)

 

I have heard that before, but in this case it came out of a 62 Chrysler Land Yacht and is a legit 413 car engine with single 4-B carb.

 

Be sure to keep us posted on this project. Being a 1962 model you are in good shape in that you can use a later TF if needed. Yes, the 413 is a torque mosster...they had to be to move those huge cars around.

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Naahh, Mopar guys want to put Mopars in everything! A's, LA's, Hemi's Poly's, Big Blocks, 426 Hemis, New Hemi's they all fit in everything!

 

I would put a SBF with an AOD. Might be more expensive than a SBC & 700R4, but reliable and a good match for a Merc. Pick one up out of a late model wreck, or buy a crate motor.

The old motor/trans look cool, but realibility of a late model OHV is priceless. Just my .02 cents because you have a bitchin rust-free Merc that deserves the best.

I hear ya bout the flattie....

 

Here's a historical oddity that officially makes this traditional as all get out: AMT released its long-awaited '49 Merc 3-in-1 kit somewhere around 1963. I remember suffering through the usual long wait between the first ads in Rod & Custom and actual availability in the store! The optional engine was a Mopar 413! And I can tell you it was an easy swap, as were all AMT swaps!
It does seem a very reasonable choice for a heavy car.

 

The engine will have alot of torque so it will pull that merc pretty good. If you have a good deal on the setup go for it.

 

Damn! Beat me to it! That's exactly how I built mine in 1963 too. If AMT was doing it in '63 that makes it as traditional as it gets. Hmmm, wonder if that kit is available now?

 

Remember how all AMT trophy series engines interchanged perfectly, same little tabs like Hurst mounts and all somehow the same length?? It took me a while to discover carryover to real swaps sometimes differed...

 

Im with ya on the late model power .... But a sbc is the only way to go.

 

Big Block Mopars make the Island Gods quiver with excitement!!

"The Great Mokealeka would descend from his Volcano Throne everytime the full moon shone down on a Friday night. He would drive his burnin' hot 440 Six Pack Superbee, leaving two smokin' trails behind him. Many a Camaro and Mustang were smote to ash when then came upon his rumbling visage. Only sacrifices of new tires and hi-test gasoline would appease him, and make him return to his magma kingdom when he awaited another full moon to wreak havoc among the nonbelievers..."

or something like that...

 

Oh Please, enlighten the rest of us on that...perhaps you 'know' something that eludes the masses...?

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my budyy bought a 50 with a 383 b block jammed in there , big setback with a recessed firewall , gave the 383 away

 

the masses install SBC ..lol -no car like mopar

 

Late model drivetrains are more efficient but they are no more reliable than a properly maintained 50's or 60's engine. ESPECIALLY if you keep all the electronics.

When my '55 Stude quits running I don't need a $3,000 scanner to ask the computer what's wrong and it's usually something I can fix with a screwdriver, which end I use depends on what's wrong. Any hard to find parts you carry with you on long trips. The engine in mine is a 289 of unknown mileage out of a '56 Hawk and it's never been apart. Any major problems I've had were on other components and were directly related to lack of or improper maintenance by previous owners.

 

That 413 will make a great swap. I installed one in a 1960 ford Falcon back in 1967. The starter is on the left side of the engine and may get in the way of the steering box.
I wrote a story about the swap under "Falcons done right" a few weeks back.
It's always great to be enlightened by the know it all Chevy guys. I raced Chevy's for twenty years, but that 413 will be a fun swap. Plus it's different and it shows that your not narrow minded. Some of the trailer park trash that hang around here have tunnel vision. There way is always the only way.
Some times it's difficult to tell the tramps from the real people.

 

If AMT can make one fit anyone can,probably the hardest part to come up with now would be a rear sump oil pan which are a truck and van only part and its been many years since they were made

 

I got a SBC I will trade ya for that 413. Trust me you don't want that 413 in it as it would be to different and cool. You really need to go with that SBC cause its the "only way to go!"

 

The sounds like a great idea to me. I will probably never have a merc. But if I ever get a 58 impala it will be big block mopar powered.

 

Mancin has the rear sump package for $99.00

http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/oilpanpackages.html

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