Re: [FWDLK] converting to later LA engine

["Donald Verity" <d.verity@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Chrysler used a cast iron torqueflite up until 62 in the big cars. The
Lancer used the aluminum TF in 60.
You can not bolt a cast iron TF to a late engine, the crank and torque
converter are completely different. You might be able to use a 62 aluminum
TF since it is cable shifted and has the e-brake drum on the back. You
still might have a problem with the converter, you could possibly use the
early converter and get the weight kit from Mopar Performance. I hope this
helps.

  Don

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> From: J. Forbes <jforbes@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: [FWDLK] converting to later LA engine
> Date: Thursday, April 30, 1998 9:55 AM
>
> At 06:36 AM 4/30/98 -0400, St. Clair, Todd wrote:
> >What would be involved with installing, say a crate 360 into my 318
equipped
> >(original) 58 Belvedere? Are the mounts between the A and LA engines the
> >same? Can I bolt up my original torqueflite? What about convertors and
ring
> >gear/starter?
> > Thanks (just curious if my engine decides to go)
> >  Todd
> >
> >
>
> I don't have all the answers...but, some considerations:
>
> The 340 and 360 use a slightly different drivers side mount than the
> 273/318.  You may need to do some mild fabrication on the mount.
>
> The 360 uses an externally balanced crankshaft...so, you need a weighted
> torque converter or special flexplate (B&M makes the flexplate, I recall,
> for use with the later aluminum Torqueflite).  I really don't know what's
> involved with this part of it, except that balance may be a problem if
you
> don't use the correct matching 360 torque converter--which means using a
> 68-newer Torqueflite.
>
> The pilot hole in the crankshaft may be different--not sure about the
V-8s,
> but this causes problems on 6 cyl swaps between early/late 60s engines.
>
> The starter/ring gear should be matched with the tranny you are using.
But,
> do the early 318s use the 6 bolt flexplate/crank?  I think so, just
> something to check, as the early big blocks used an 8 bolt
flexplate/crank.
>
> It may be easier to use a late model tranny, but then you'll have to redo
> the shifter (no push buttons) as well as late rear brakes with parking
> brakes built in, and redo the parking brake cable system.
>
> Jim
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> Jim Forbes                                    jforbes@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> --------------------------------------------------------------------