A neighbor has a 52 DeSoto V8 engine only. I'm thinking of buying it if there is a way to put a manual trans on it. This is the early style with the long block extension.
If it's a long tail it's a 51-3 331 Chrysler, no long tail DeSotos. Wilcap makes an adaptor for them.
I haven't seen the engine, I thought they were like a Chrysler. Live and learn. What stock bellhousings fit this block? How about flywheel and clutch? Or does everything have to be custom made?
A quick search turned up the info that all early DeSoto and Dodge hemi and poly engines used the same bellhousing as used on all A and LA engines, up to the latest 5.7 hemi. BUT there are differences in dowel pin register, flywheel, starters and other details. So does this mean I could use bellhousing, flywheel and starter off any manual trans 318, 340 or 360 with some modifications? Or, look for fifties Dodge V8 stuff? Or would it be easier to use a Torqueflite?
If it actually is a Desoto you can use a 392 to what ever tranny you want to use adaptor, manual or A/T. If it's a mopar tranny you use the 6 bolt flywheel for the 426 hemi, the small block ('62 & up) bell housing will bolt up to the adaptor. Or, yes, OEM sticks up to '61 will work that was on any Hemi, hemi based Poly or "A" Poly. 727 is easy to set up. 904 won't work
Your quick search is not accurate at all. Search "early hemi transmission adapters". Any 62 up trans is going to need an adapter, 4 speed or automatic. The 426 hemi flywheel and/or flex plate is 8 bolt.
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