1961 Polysphere 318 in a 52 Dodge

OK, so I got a poly 318 out of a 61 plymouth with the push ****on trans. The engine has been sitting since 1981 but with a little work it started up. Sounded great. ****** is ****ed up in reverse. But i kind of like the idea of putting a push****on shifter in a 52 so i might have it repaired. so here are the questions...

I have heard of people putting a LA 273/318 in a 49-52 Mopar but has anyone done an A 318 aka poly, wide block in one?

If I bought mounts from plydo, is it a straight swap in or am i looking at some cutting?

Should I s**** the push****on idea since i have to repair the ******?

This is my first build at this level (have only worked on complete cars) so any advise would be helpful.

nosyjoe

 

I would repair the trans for two reasons; one, the push ****on option is kinda funky, and two, it's cable operated so it makes the swap a little easier than adapting a regualr linkage. As for the poly motor, something is rattling around in the back of my head that says you can bolt early hemi heads onto them...

 

You can't hemi-ize a 318. That only works with the older polys. Sorry. I thought the same thing.

 

My shop just put a 318 wideblock in 38 plymouth pickup and in a customers 39 dodge coupe... Have pics and everything... It will fit... The smaller 318 would fit easier... but who wants easy??? Plydo mounts will work...you will probably have to convert the steering to rack and pinion on the car though.. The original box is in the way... Jason.

 

Iron Torqueflite is a tough trans to beat for durability. If it's a Powerflite, I'd p*** on the rebuild.

 

He says he has a poly motor? Or am I reading it wrong? He mentions an LA block, but I think that's just for conversation sake if he sources another motor.

 

we put a 360 in a 52 dodge was pretty much a bolt in swap with a 4 speed

 

Be advised that the push****on shift business from the donor may be, to my knowledge, the only shifting mechanism you can use with any MOPAR push****on shift trans. The mechanism is very sensitive to adjustment and may not be modifiable.

 

Try a company called imperial services

 

I've never worked with a Poly, but I can tell you that I am familiar with the push-****on autos. The swap should be okay, just don't cut your shift cables, those are expensive to replace. The shifter mechanism on the dash of the donor needs to be with the ****** as well, or your're going to have a hard time finding the pieces to make it work. Rebuilds of the push****on will be more expensive than a later 727, but not terrible. Pat Blais transmissions in WA are very familiar with the push****ons and have tons of parts in stock.

 

You would be right on that, the early Hemi heads will fit on a Poly!

 

EXCEPT..... the 318.. no go on the poly 318..Done the calling and the searching... Jason.

 

The only bad thing about the push ****ons is they tend to stick in gaer, or out of gear. cold conditions kinda make them act up. But the torqueflite is a sturdy piece for sure parts for the rebuild and the shift cables are going to cost you an *** and a leg. But its mopar what doesnt break the bank when it comes to that.

 

Yeah, Pat is the guy to talk to about old torqueflites.

PM me if you need to get in touch and I'll give you his #.

IIRC the side mounts on a 318 poly were the same as LA 318/273. If that's right, you should be able to shoehorn the block into the ch***is like the small block 46-8 swap shown in the Tex Smith book on hot rodding old mopars.

Dunno about the exhausts; might have to make headers. But if the engine and the car are both nice, it'd be worth it.

-bill

 

sorry if i was unclear. i have a poly 318. i've seen people put a LA 318 in a 49-52. Never seen a poly in one. i'm sure plenty of folks must have done it. just trying to identify any major obsticles i might come across.

 

I think Montclaire's not understanding there was a Poly 318, along with the earlier varietys (354, etc.) At least that's how I read it... The 354 variety does have the HEMI interchange, the later "A" block doesn't.

The Poly 318 is the "A" motor, the Unpoly? 318 is the LA.

I wondered if a 354 (poly, not HEMI) would fit in a 49, guess now I know.

Jay

 

I know about the poly 318s, but I am unaware of other poly motors. More than one displacement? Anyway, the LA blocks are lighter and make more power. Use a regular hi-po 340 cam and chrysler electronic ignition and you should be fine. Can use your push ****on trans, too.

 

Yeah, I know there were at least the 277 and 301 style, along with the earlier 354 (Windsor motors, they called them;after the model, not the city).

I wasn't trying to sound ****ish, but I guess after re reading it it sounds that way. Sorry!

And it is correct that the A and LA blocks have the same bellhousing pattern, which is odd for Chrysler!

Jay

 

Oh, ok, I got it. For all the mopar mags I have laying around, and I mean stacks back to the early 90s that I have near memorized, the only poly I've ever heard mention was the 318 version. One of the biggest problems with early chysler stuff is that it doesn't interchange, even the things you would almost have to ***ume would, especially on engines of the same displacement. Early hemis are enough to give you a headache.

 

There was a bunch of early Polys built on Dodge & Chr. early Hemi blocks that can be converted to Hemi.The late Polys 277, 301 Plymouth, 303, 318, 326 can't be converted.

 

The factory police package 318s used 360 heads. i don't know the years.

 

Convertible to hemi using same-brand parts only:
Dodge 1955-57 poly 241, 259, 270, 315, 325 (also used in base-line DeSoto and some 1955-56 Plymouth)
Chrysler poly 1955-58 301, 331, 354

Not convertible:
Plymouth/Dodge poly "A" 1956-67 277, 301, 303, 313, 318, 326

No interchange with other brands:
DeSoto hemi 1952-57 276, 291, 330, 341, 345

 

Late 70's thru 88 I think. But those aren't poly's.

Jay

 

would love to see those pics!

 

I will get them for you in the morning. They are at the shop on the computer.. Jason