A500 in a '68 B:

[cudak888]

Long story short, I managed to jam up the rear clutch in the mystery meat 904 that's been living in my '68 Satellite probably since it was new.

This is a semi-daily for me, so if I drop the 904, I want to have something to go back up in there before I bother trying to fix it. However, 904s and small block 727s are not in easy supply locally, much less in decent shape.

A500s are abundant though. I know the fatter tailshaft even on what is essentially a slightly bigger, 4-speed 904 necessitates hacking up the torsion bar crossmember, but without having been able to eyeball either in person (much less find the combination online), I'm unsure of how far this needs to go, and whether floorpan mods are also necessary.

Moreover, I happened upon the Holley Hooker Blackheart hoop that they sell for Gen III swaps using MB NAG1 or ZF 8HP70 transmissions, and I'm now full of questions for those who've shoved an A500 in a '66-70 B: Does this look as if it will provide some of that necessary clearance? Or is it still too squat with the floor? All things considered, the price on this thing is shockingly (in today's day and age) reasonable for what you get, and I'm figuring it might be a way to avoid weeks of fabrication.

Curious to hear your experiences. Pictures of any A500 swaps would be greatly appreciated.

-Kurt

 

[Kern Dog]

Good question.
From what I understand, the trans tunnel itself is snug but the issue is really with the thickness of the torsion bar crossmember inside the tunnel. I've seen 5/16" thick bar stock used in trans tunnels in A body swaps.

 

[cudak888]

Seems almost worth it to roll the dice to give it a try with the Holley adapter, even if it ultimately ends in cutting it apart and welding it in tighter. Tempting.

Then there's the possibility of putting an A999 behind it, provided it'll hold up behind a stock-cam van 5.9. I wouldn't mind the lower first and second; this thing has a 2.76:1 rear end in it.

-Kurt

 

[493 Mike]

Seems almost worth it to roll the dice to give it a try with the Holley adapter, even if it ultimately ends in cutting it apart and welding it in tighter. Tempting.

Then there's the possibility of putting an A999 behind it, provided it'll hold up behind a stock-cam van 5.9. I wouldn't mind the lower first and second; this thing has a 2.76:1 rear end in it.

-Kurt

The A999 is designed beefier and would have no problem handling a 360. This sounds like your easiest swap.
Mike

 

[cudak888]

Well, one of the local junkyards supposedly has 3 A999s in stock, so that seems to be the way I'm going to go.

Initial load in first gear is also getting rough too.

-Kurt

 

[furious70]

Tranztech.net

They do a500 in b's