LA engine swap

[dennis degeneffe]

I am planning an LA engine swap for My 1965 Belvedere. It currently has the original LA 273 2bbl, 904 (cable shift) set up. It will be getting a 1970 340 from an A body Duster. The 340 will need ignition, carb/linkage, fuel pump, starter, motor mounts and exhaust manifolds/headers. Will the A Body oil pan work in my B Body or will the 273 oil pan work on the 340? Will I need a bigger radiator? The current radiator has no issues other than it was intended for the 273.
In short, what can I use from My original set up to make the swap to the 340?
Also, I have been told that the 904 can be retained and rebuilt to handle the extra HP of the 340. At first I was going to look for a small block 727 core.(cable shift)
I do have a 742 3rd member (from a 1967 Charger) to replace the 741 3rd member.
Any thoughts or recommendations will be appreciated.

P.S. If anyone has interest in a 1969 non HP 383 with a Chrysler 4bbl intake, 906 heads, ( should have a forged crank) let me know. It does turn freely. It came with the purchase of the car and I was going to put it in the car, but decided to stay small block. I have not heard it run. I am in Wisconsin.

 

[moes]

keep the 904, it will handle 300-400HP, if you have more HP you can get it built up to handle the extra power, it doesn't weight as much as a 727 and the 727 uses more HP to use. If you go with a 727 you will have to shorten the driveshaft, new converter and get a different yoke.

 

[mopar 3 B]

You should have everything but transmission kick down linkage. An upgrade in exhaust would not hurt though.

 

[dennis degeneffe]

You should have everything but transmission kick down linkage. An upgrade in exhaust would not hurt though.

Thanks 3 B. Any idea if 70's A,B,E body 340 HP exhaust manifolds will work on my 1965 B Body? They can be found, but are expensive. Can you recommend a supplier for headers.
The 273 fuel pump will be enough for the 340? And are you saying the oil pans interchange/have the same bolt pattern?
Thanks again!

 

[rumblefish360]

Can you recommend a supplier for headers.
The 273 fuel pump will be enough for the 340? And are you saying the oil pans interchange/have the same bolt pattern?
Thanks again!

Headers recommended for you would be ether Doug’s or tti.
The 273 fuel pump is the same as a 340 fuel pump. All carbs require the same psi unless your racing.
All LA small block oil pans interchange except the 360. The only difference is a truck sump and passenger car sump.

 

[moper]

If you're replacing a '65 273 with the 340, you will need to address the crank hub issue. The early V8 crank hub diameter is smaller. So you either need a spacer to run the original 273 convertor, replace the transmission in it's entirety, swap the pertinent guts of the '64/'65 only transmission with later parts to use a later convertor, or replace the transmission (and shifter) in its entirety.

 

[bearman]

I am planning an LA engine swap for My 1965 Belvedere. It currently has the original LA 273 2bbl, 904 (cable shift) set up. It will be getting a 1970 340 from an A body Duster. The 340 will need ignition, carb/linkage, fuel pump, starter, motor mounts and exhaust manifolds/headers. Will the A Body oil pan work in my B Body or will the 273 oil pan work on the 340? Will I need a bigger radiator? The current radiator has no issues other than it was intended for the 273.
In short, what can I use from My original set up to make the swap to the 340?
Also, I have been told that the 904 can be retained and rebuilt to handle the extra HP of the 340. At first I was going to look for a small block 727 core.(cable shift)
I do have a 742 3rd member (from a 1967 Charger) to replace the 741 3rd member.
Any thoughts or recommendations will be appreciated.

P.S. If anyone has interest in a 1969 non HP 383 with a Chrysler 4bbl intake, 906 heads, ( should have a forged crank) let me know. It does turn freely. It came with the purchase of the car and I was going to put it in the car, but decided to stay small block. I have not heard it run. I am in Wisconsin.

Car looks great good luck with the swap.

 

[dennis degeneffe]

If you're replacing a '65 273 with the 340, you will need to address the crank hub issue. The early V8 crank hub diameter is smaller. So you either need a spacer to run the original 273 convertor, replace the transmission in it's entirety, swap the pertinent guts of the '64/'65 only transmission with later parts to use a later convertor, or replace the transmission (and shifter) in its entirety.

Yowza! Good to know. You are the first person to bring this to My attention.Thanx!

 

[moper]

Just my opinion, but I would just replace the transmission and shifter. Gives you chance to update some and personalize it, plus it's much easier down the road.

 

[rumblefish360]

Nice catch Moper. For some reason, I didn’t read tha right and thought he was getting the engine and trans from work he Duster. Hey agree or like the idea of getting another trans instead of modifying the older one.

 

[dennis degeneffe]

Nice catch Moper. For some reason, I didn’t read tha right and thought he was getting the engine and trans from work he Duster. Hey agree or like the idea of getting another trans instead of modifying the older one.

So now I'm back to swapping transmissions. Bummer. Should I look for a later 727 or 904? can I get a later 904 and utilize it with my present one so as not to change out the column or shorten the drive shaft?
To the best of my knowledge , from other threads, it would be best to find a 1966 b body column, because the 1967 an later columns are less compatible. eventually i want to add power steering. (I suppose i could just make it a floor shift and remove the shift handle)
Ugh, I was hoping this would be simpler, less money involved. Not my luck!

 

[dennis degeneffe]

So now I'm back to swapping transmissions. Bummer. Should I look for a later 727 or 904? can I get a later 904 and utilize it with my present one so as not to change out the column or shorten the drive shaft?
To the best of my knowledge , from other threads, it would be best to find a 1966 b body column, because the 1967 an later columns are less compatible. eventually i want to add power steering. (I suppose i could just make it a floor shift and remove the shift handle)
Ugh, I was hoping this would be simpler, less money involved. Not my luck!

which year 904-727 should i be looking for? 1968 and up I suppose... that is when the 340 debuted. please advise!

 

[rumblefish360]

I myself self, not being so up to date on what’s what anymore, would call a trans shop where you could pick one up and ask a few questions. I also would replace what you have with the same model trans. You have a 904 now? Stay with a 904. Now you don’t have to cut a driveshaft down. Money saved there!

TCI, B&M etc.. all have inexpensive shifters. All around that $120-ish area.

 

[mopar 3 B]

Yowza! Good to know. You are the first person to bring this to My attention.Thanx!

Some time you have to find someone whom had experienced it. Honestly I did not know but have never had the problem. I do know you should be thank full its not a 65 Ford.