Wow I started adding up all the expense for this engine swap I am doing. I am sure it is only going to increase by the time I get done. I yanked out the old Flat 6 in favor of a 440/727 combo. Of course I will need the typical items, shifter, linkages, fluids, motor mounts, trans mount, Exhaust, driveline, plate steel, etc. etc. But along with that are all kinds of things I need to spend some clams on.... Rewiring kit (I hear So-Cal has one for about $140) 12v bulbs volt reducers Radiator cleaned out Gas tank cleaned and sealed Trans cooler New Tires A brake job (2 wheel cylinders per wheel) I tell you what, good thing I am doing this over time. Maybe I won't notice how much is NOT in my bank account when I get done. HAHA So does anyone out there have a list of items they used when doing an engine swap? I am trying to plan ahead and get everything i need in advance. Your list may jog my memory ....
smoothest one was a later model swap, I picked up a '72 Chevy heavy 3/4 ton with a 454/TH400, heavy duty radiator, cross member, speedo cable, engine harness, auto collumn, gas tank with fatter fuel line, power steering, exhaust, the whole parts list in one package and swapped it all into my little '67 1/2 ton, all I needed were the belts, hoses and tune up stuff. parts cars (and trucks) rule Paul
I can give you a recommendation on one thing. Use lokar's kickdown cable kit. It's a hell of alot better than making the stock rod setup work. All the guys who swap RB motors into darts use it. Also, does your new engine have a rear sump pan? Mine was out of a van, so it didn't. Mopar performance sells a rear sump pan that comes with the oil pickup too. Another problem you'll run into is exhaust. On the wayfarer, we couldn't get any stock manifolds that would clear the frame, so we ended up using Sanderson block hugger headers. As far as mounts go, we've already talked about that. If you need brackets that you can't find, check out www.bouchillonperformance.com They have bracket kits that allowed us to use a saginaw ps pump and a sanden ac compressor. I don't think you've got power steering though, but you may want AC sometime down the line. We used a lokar shifter in the wayfarer, but it fit like crap and took forever to modify to make it fit. We used a flowkooler water pump because it flows more and we were worried about heat. It was probably one of the best items we bought. Other than those recommendations you'll need belts, hoses, oil, antifreeze, gaskets, etc. Are you leaving the engine stock or changing cam, manifold, carb, etc?
I've used air conditioner condensers and or heater cores for tranny coolers to save money. Aftermarket coolers aren't that high, but I had them at hand. The A/C condenser worked the best. Not telling you to sell yourself short, just pure info. The exhaust manifolds from a Big Block Dart or the exhaust manifolds from a 68-9 Roadrunner tuck in real tight and will work in some tighter applications. Again just info. Hurst makes a pretty good longhandle shifter, I have a friend that usually has some on hand, they run about 50.00.
It's always the little shit that gets you. You get down to one bolt or one wire, or whatever, and you can NEVER find what you are looking for. Make sure you have plenty of Teflon tape, RTV, wire and connectors, loose bolts and nuts. Not to mention tools. BTW...When IS Engine Party 2004?
If this is your only car make sure you DO have everything! I've done that too, had to ride the daughter's bicycle into town to buy the last little bits. Something really stupid about a fat old guy on a little girls bike! Paul
What about auxillary cooling fan? Watch swap meets for shifters, I got a B&M mega shifter from a drag racer for $50. All I had to do was get the linkage kit and cable for it. I used the lokar throttle cable they sell, not too bad to install. Check your brake line while you have the motor out, might be easier to replace while the motor is out especially if they run underneath the motor or behind it, been there done that . Hose clamps. Misc. fasteners and such. Hope this helps. later plmczy
Fuel line diameters from the tank, esp. if your going small to huge cid. Mech. fuel pump or elec. If elec. are you placing it at the back by the tank as a pusher or in the engine compartment with a puller. You proly have done a lot of research so know about 70's mopar rear ends and the easy fitment, Dodge 1/2 ton coils are nice cut down a hair fer the weight change. Ramble...blab...blab 2c
Plugs, cap, rotor while you're at it...new rear tranny seal might be a good idea while you got it out...if you end up changing the oil pan if yours has the sump on the wrong end, it might be a good time to change the rear main seal too....everything's easier when the motor's hangin' in front of you...
Your missing alotta stuff on your list,you will find that out as you go .Your not just doing a motor swap your doing an upgrade in horse power .Lets hope the rear end will hold up.I would also suggest a brake upgrade ,maybe disc's up front,new master and lines ,clean and preasure test the gas tank ,don't pour the seal stuff in a cleaned tank .Fuel filter ,hoses ,clamps ,all new gas lines , fuel pump ,air filter ,oil ,rad fluid , trans fluid ,just a few .I would get the lokar pedal, the pass through type that i on the f-100 worked great and lokar cable w/ brakets .Remember your going from 6 to v/8 .90hp at best to about 250+ hp .Goin won't be a problem , stopping and steering along w/ the way it handles may .Dicks driveline can help you out w/ a new driveline .If your going to use your old rear make sure you keep the old drive line for the ends , though a 9" or mopar 8.8 would be better .
And if your going to rewire , why not just get a haywire kit from elpolako ,do it once and be done .Now is also the time to search for all those upgrades like carb,air cleaner,valve covers ,intake ,etc .
Wayfarer - Excellent info. I was going to use the Lokar Shifter (the cool curved one) , I will definately use the Kickdown cable like you said. The Pan is front sump (from a truck). I won't know about exhaust till I get it in. Where do you get the FLOWCOOLER waterpump? I will run the motor as is for a while (it only has 28k miles on it) Then stick in a cam and intake it later. PLMCZY - AH the fan. I had left that out of the list I made, but had been thinking of it all along. The summers here are 115+ sometimes. Justin - Please go on. Give me details on the rearend. Some people say I won't have a problem with it others think I will. I don't plan on doing any Neutral Slams or anything, but I do plan to race stop light to stop light (within the speed limit of course...NOT) CadillacKid - Yes on the rear seal. Always a good idea. Scooter - "lokar pedal" I would like to see that. I'll come by saturday. Also I am guessing the HP increase will be much greater than that. ALso when is your next garage sale? Oh yeah...battery.. Doh! Hey man this is fun let me tell ya. I really appreciate your input everyone. I just can't wait to get it going.
You can buy the water pump from Summit. I have the lokar shifter, pedal and both kickdown and throttle cables. They are easy to install and work really well, that is everything except the shifter. It works well, but was a pain to install. If you decide to replace the rear, I have a '57 ford 9" in the dodge and it bolted right in on the original spring perches.
Deyo - I had to re-read it. I would love to do a party, but ....I hate to impose on people. Plus I want to do as much as I can and if I screw it up then I get to redo it. HAHA. Ric doesn't have 220, but we have some access too a welder and a plasma cutter. Who is MUNSON? I have a guess...PS have you seen my scallops....very close!!!!! Nice job. I'm keeping that pic.
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