318 Polysphere Dodge to Chevy Manual Transmission

If nothing else, I have a 727 sitting in storage that I will use. I just prefer the feeling of a manual. The SM465 that I got for free this weekend is what I really have my heart set on because its virtually bullet proof for how I intend to use it. It's actually the heart of the build where as the 318 poly is only a temporary engine until I can afford to build something else to replace it. It runs and has everything to it for the SM465 (i.e., flywheel, pressure plate, and starter). The only thing I'm replacing is the bellhousing.

For what it's worth, I've got a Chrysler 331 Hemi sitting right next to this project that I can't afford to rebuild at the moment which is why I'm bothering with the Polysphere.

 

I think that what everyone who is telling you to get the mopar trans are getting at is that in doing so you may save yourself some head scratching and just maybe you might be farther ahead.

You could spend as much money trying to get your conversion squared away (or more) than you would by using the mopar trans.

And, if you say the 318 is temporary, what would you rather run behind the 331 ? The mopar trans ? If you want to run the SM465 behind the 331 too and it will work then make it happen.

Which would be better or easier behind the 331 ? Once you figure that out the rest is easy.

It's easy to get an at***ude and get pissy when you have your mind set on something ,I always try to look at all the angles

 

I agree. I'm sorry. I've already had so many set backs with this project. I don't mean anything personal. Just in the course of thinking about it this morning, I don't know why I'm feeling so rushed with this project. I think that I'm just going to slow down a bit and just set up the Hemi like I originally planned. Thanks man.

 

Sometimes you need to step back and look at where you really want to go with something.
It's nice to get something for free, but what is the cost in the end ?

And after all that is the money better spent to go where you would rather be with the 331 etc?

Temporary things can have a habit of becoming permanent and then you will be less than happy with the car and end up re-doing it or selling it.

I am building my 26 RPU. I know what I want to do and will make it happen.

I got a little sidetracked and bought a 70s built 36 Ford that I thought would be a driver. After I got it I realized that it was more like another project that needed updating.

So I dove right in and started buying parts. Money that should have gone to the RPU started going elsewhere.

I ended up with a garage I could not work in ,so crowded I had to go outside to change my mind

So I decided to re-focus. The 36 was sold and all the parts were also sold in less than a month.

Back to the RPU in a garage I can actually use.

Sorry for rambling, but the point is, slow down and focus on what you really want.

Larry.

 

The 318 you have uses a diffrent bell set up than the 331. The best adaptor for the 331 to S/B 727 is made by Quality Engineered Components, aka "73RR", who you told to take a running jump.....

 

Excellent advice my friend. Thanks, bud.

 

Waylon would not like a cheap *** flying his colors...

 

You can put a 5 speed manual from a Dakota... bolts right up... should be able to find dozens of them...

 

Lmao. I'm done with the Polysphere. I'm going back to my Hemi.

 

NO, not without extensive modifications.

 

Oh?

 

Haven't used one of yours, if you want to send one for evaluation....

 

...way to go George, one fire gets put out and you start another...

Tom has a great looking product, and it does exactly what it is intended to do, same as mine.

.

 

Hahaha.

 

I wanted to use a Chevy 4 speed behind my 392. Is your 318 the same bolt pattern as a 392. If so a common plate for drag cars addapts a Chevy bellhousing to a Chrysler block. Lots of guys have put Powerglides behind hemis. I used a blow shield because it was a race car. It used a Chevy starter so I turned my Chrysler flywheel OD to fit a Chevy ring gear and used the Chevy starter. All swap meet (cheep) stuff.

 

I have a 218 flat head six in my 48 Plymouth that I have modified the stock bell housing to accept a T-5 transmission which has the standard Chevy pattern. I formed and bolted 5/16" flat stock to the bell housing then welded 1/2" steel bar stock to the 5/16" plate for the top two holes and a 1" X 3'4" bar bolted to the bottom of the bell housing for the bottom bolts. The Input shaft bearing retainer is larger on the Chevy than it is on the old MoPar transmission so the hole had to be opened up on the bridge port to fit then a puck from 3/4" steel was machined to fit the opening in the flywheel to accept a standard Chevy pilot bearing. The hole in the flywheel has a 8 to 10 degree bevel to it so we made the puck to fit and it is retained when the flywheel is bolted to the crank. Would be easier to just use the Wilcap adapter and make a new rear transmission mount.

 

No, he has the modern bell pattern.

 

Call "Hot Heads" early 318 polys had the same bolt pattern as the Hemi's did. Yes they do from my gathering. Not cheap but they'llbe able to help you