• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

So.. you want to swap a SB for a BB?

racedodge

Well-Known Member
Local time
10:45 AM
Joined
Jan 17, 2009
Messages
799
Reaction score
200
Location
Eskridge, Kansas
IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS OR I AM MISSING SOMETHING PLEASE IDENTIFY WHERE IN THIS OUTLINE IT SHOULD GO AND THE RECOMMENDATION AND PM THAT SUGGESTION TO A MODERATOR SO THAT THEY MAY INSERT IT ACCORDINGLY. DO NOT PM ME WITH THE INFORMATION AS I AM ONLY ABLE TO EDIT THIS POST FOR A SHORT TIME AFTER POSTING.

SO YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO A SB OR /6 TO BB CONVERSION WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION EH? WELL DUE TO THE POPULAR DEMAND OF THIS QUESTION, I DECIDED TO PUT A THREAD TOGETHER THAT WILL EXPLAIN, IN DETAIL, EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED TO DO, WHAT YOU SHOULD CONSIDER, AND WHAT WORK WILL NEED TO BE DONE (EDITORS NOTE: THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE F, M OR J BODY CARS, AND THIS IS NOT INCLUSIVE TO PUTTING IN A 2ND GENERATION HEMI, THOSE ARE FOR ANOTHER THREAD ALTOGETHER).

1. DO YOU HAVE A 1972 AND BELOW OR 1973 AND NEWER CAR?

a. 1972 AND BELOW, GO TO #2
b. 1973 AND UP, GO TO #7

2. DO YOU HAVE A:

a. A BODY, GO TO #3
b. B BODY, E BODY WITH A SLANT SIX, GO TO #4
c. B BODY OR E BODY WITH A V8 K-MEMBER, GO TO #5
d. C BODY, GO TO #6

3. TO PUT A BIG BLOCK MOPAR IN AN A BODY CAR, YOU WILL NEED:

a. http://www.bigblockdart.com/techpages/tips.shtml MOTHER OF ALL KNOWLEDGE WHEN IT COMES TO SWAPPING IN A BIG BLOCK
b. http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=171821 FOR A GREAT PICTURE LIBRARY AND SUGGESTIONS, KEY SUGGESTION: USE 73-76 K-MEMBER

4. TO PUT A BIG BLOCK MOPAR IN A “B BODY OR E BODY” CAR WITH A /6:

a. FIND A V8 K MEMBER INSTALL IT THEN GO BACK TO NUMBER 2-C OF THIS LIST

5. TO PUT A BIG BLOCK MOPAR IN A 1972 AND BELOW “B BODY” WITH A V8 K-MEMBER:

a. GET BIG BLOCK MOTOR MOUNTS AND BRACKETS
b. ELONGATE YOUR IGNITION COIL WIRE DUE TO DISTRIBUTOR LOCATED IN FRONT OF ENGINE, NOT NEXT TO FIREWALL AS IN SMALL BLOCK CARS (if you are using points, disregard)
images

c. RECOMMEND UPGRADING TO ELECTRONIC IGNITION
kit.gif

d. SHORTEN DRIVESHAFT 4 1/8” TO ACCOMMODATE FOR LONGER 727 TRANSMISSION
Length_dimensions.jpg

e. RECOMMEND UPGRADE TO 8 ¾ OR LARGER REAR AXLE BASED UPON ENGINE HP/TORQUE RATINGS AND PURPOSE OF CAR
rearspotter.jpg

f. RECOMMEND UPGRADE TO LARGER FUEL LINE AND SENDING UNIT BASED UPON ENGINE HP/TORQUE OUTPUT
g. RECOMMEND LARGER RADIATOR OR RADIATOR WITH BETTER COOLING CAPACITY
h. INSURE WATER PUMP HOUSING INLET AND OUTLET’S MATCH RADIATOR INLET/OUTLET
1972 below
RAWP440HB.jpg

1973 up
2001079.jpg

i. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE CORRECT OIL PAN #402, #893, #695, OR #854 WITH COINCIDING OIL PICK UP
j. OBTAIN CORRECT KICKDOWN (THROTTLE PRESSURE LEVER ROD) ROD AND LINKAGE, AS WELL AS CORRECT THROTTLE CABLE BRACKET

6. TO PUT A BIG BLOCK IN A “C BODY”:

a. DO EVERYTHING IN #5 EXCEPT #5-I, HERE YOU WILL NEED PAN #699 OR #187 AND CORRESPONDING OIL PICKUP

7. DO YOU HAVE A:

a. A BODY, GO TO #3
b. B BODY WITH A SLANT SIX, GO TO #8
c. E BODY WITH A SLANT SIX, GO TO #4
d. B BODY WITH A SB K-MEMBER, GO TO #9
e. C BODY, GO TO #6

8. TO PUT A BIG BLOCK MOPAR IN A “B BODY” CAR WITH A /6:

a. FIND A V8 K MEMBER INSTALL IT THEN GO BACK TO #7-D OF THIS LIST
9. TO PUT A BIG BLOCK MOPAR IN A “B BODY” WITH A SB K-MEMBER:

a. FIRST, MOST IMPORTANT, SUGGESTION IS TO FIND A BIG BLOCK K-MEMBER AND SWAP THE SB K-MEMBER FOR THE BIG BLOCK K-MEMBER
b. IF “a” CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED, BUY BIG BLOCK MOTOR MOUNT BRACKETS
c. IF NO BB K-MEMBER CAN BE FOUND, BUY A SCHUMACHER MOTOR MOUNT SWAP KIT
d. ELONGATE IGNITION COIL WIRE AS THE DISTRIBUTOR IS LOCATED IN THE FRONT ON BB ENGINES, NOT NEXT TO THE FIREWALL AS IN SB APPLICATIONS (if you are using points, disregard)
images

e. BUY A #971 OIL PAN AND PICK UP TUBE, YOU NEED THIS ONE, NO OTHERS WILL FIT PROPERLY
f. RECOMMEND UPGRADE TO 8 ¾ OR LARGER REAR AXLE BASED UPON ENGINE HP/TORQUE RATINGS AND PURPOSE OF CAR
rearspotter.jpg

g. RECOMMEND LARGER RADIATOR OR RADIATOR WITH BETTER COOLING CAPACITY
h. INSURE WATER PUMP HOUSING INLET AND OUTLET’S MATCH RADIATOR INLET/OUTLET
1972 below
RAWP440HB.jpg

1973 up
2001079.jpg

i. SHORTEN DRIVESHAFT 4 1/8” TO ACCOMMODATE FOR LONGER 727 TRANSMISSION
Length_dimensions.jpg

j. RECOMMEND UPGRADE TO LARGER FUEL LINE AND SENDING UNIT BASED UPON ENGINE HP/TORQUE OUTPUT
k. OBTAIN CORRECT KICKDOWN (THROTTLE PRESSURE LEVER ROD) ROD AND LINKAGE (B AND C BODIES ARE DIFFERENT AS WELL AS SMALL BLOCK AND BIG BLOCK APPLICATIONS), AS WELL AS CORRECT THROTTLE CABLE BRACKET

K-MEMBER IDENTIFICATION
K-%20frame%204.jpg


68-72
KMember%20A67%20V8.jpg


73 +
KMember%2073&Up%20V8.jpg


FYI
k%20frame%201.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Just wondering if you could clarify what is special about the required oil pans? I'm going an aftermarket pan so it'd be great to know what features I need to look for in an oil pan.

Thanks for the great info!
 
I am in the process of putting a 440 in a 73 charger [useing the shumaker kit] the 440 i have went in but the non 971 pan rests on the back of the k frame and hits the tie rod the 971 pan is a must [anybody have one in there back pocket by chance?] See this link
http://www.engine-swaps.com/Pages/ProductsType/OilPanSchematics.html for the answer to your questions.
 
Just wondering if you could clarify what is special about the required oil pans? I'm going an aftermarket pan so it'd be great to know what features I need to look for in an oil pan.

Thanks for the great info!

You have to ensure that the pan you do intend to purchase will clear your k-member and centerlink so that there are no obstructions. If you use the wrong pan, your engine will either:

1) hit your centerlink, thus not allowing it to set properly

OR

2) rest on or close to your k-member so that it will not mate to the transmission.
 
Do these rules apply if I have a 69 D100 with a 318 and want to put a 440 in it?

No, because the K-member in your truck has two sets of holes pre-drilled so that it will accept both SB and BB truck motor mounts. All you require is a bb rear sump oil pan and pickup tube, a set of center dump ehaust manifolds or truck headers, BB truck motor mounts, and relocating your coil (and wiring for coil). Of course you will need a BB 727 if going with an auto. You may have to get a different booster if you have power brakes.
 
Thanks. The big Oregon Swap Meet is this weekend, so I'll go hunting for the BB motor mounts and other parts. Appreciate it.
 
a 402 pan should work on big blocks being that what was in them for a 400 bb in 73-74 roadrunners should also work on chargers
 
a 402 pan should work on big blocks being that what was in them for a 400 bb in 73-74 roadrunners should also work on chargers

402 pan WILL NOT work in a 73/74 k member. 73/74 k members require <------ a 971 pan. The 971 pan was the pan that came with the 73+ BB, B body mopars. 402 pans were 66-71 BB, B/E body mopars.
 
im not 100% positive but was told that this pan came off of a 73 rr wishwas in a 73 rr with a 400 bb dam not i have to find a difren pan grrrr
 
im not 100% positive but was told that this pan came off of a 73 rr wishwas in a 73 rr with a 400 bb dam not i have to find a difren pan grrrr

sorry dude, I really am, but if you put that pan in there, you will find yourself seeing your engine rest on your front k member and not mate to your transmission.
 
any 1 have a 971 pan sitting around collecting dust? i need 1 bad my engines almost done except dual 4bbl and intake and a 971 pan
 
ok i finaly put engine in but now my exsaust manifold hits the inner fender on drivers side right by the rear on by exsaust dump on exsaust manifld aso in the maifold by this area and so tight that i couldnt even put a pice of papper inbetween will this all work out once i get transmission bolten on n cross menbers back it place or is there some issues i need to figure out
 
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top