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Later model K in an early B body

joesnow

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Thinking about going with a late model K frame in my '65 Belvedere. Thinking of going with a '68-69 K. Looking for easier fit for headers,oilpan. What crossmember do you guys use? Does a RB or Hemi crossram intake still fir? Any other problems? Is this a good idea? Thanks.
 
I was told that you couldn't do this with a max wedge intake because it would hit the firewall so I would guess that you would have the same problem with a hemi.
 
I was told that you couldn't do this with a max wedge intake because it would hit the firewall so I would guess that you would have the same problem with a hemi.


I was told the same also that you have to bang the firewall back some for room with the crossram when you use the 66 and up K-frame as it moves the eng back about 2" I believe. It will help weight transfer but I have my stock K-frame in my 63 and everything fits fine. I use Hedman 1-3/4 headers and a Moroso 8 qt oil pan and they both fit with no mods at all. You can get an idea how my eng sits with the stock K-frame as it would be about 2 " closer to the firewall with the newer K-frame. Ron


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Sorry 383man, I didn't reconize yoyr login name. You already told me you use the elite headmans. What track do you run at?
 
Sorry 383man, I didn't reconize yoyr login name. You already told me you use the elite headmans. What track do you run at?


Cecil most of the time but I did also run at Capital in Md and Maple Grove in PA last year. Ron
 
Hey Ron,
Do you have a straight on engine bay pict of the 63? I want to see how the stock v8 K-frame has the engine shifted over, stock. Also; headman elite headers? part number and what oil pan part number?

I've got to buy and oil pan for the 65/440 deal. thanks!
 
I'm doing this "upgrade" on my '64 Polara 500. I've not made the swap yet, but will be very soon. The K member I'm going to use is from a '69. I am rebuilding the stock 383 for the car, so there won't be too many more mods. Maybe a clutch or electric fan. Just looking to get the improved weight transfer and better sway bar setup.

That's it. I'll keep you posted.
 
Hey Ron,
Do you have a straight on engine bay pict of the 63? I want to see how the stock v8 K-frame has the engine shifted over, stock. Also; headman elite headers? part number and what oil pan part number?

I've got to buy and oil pan for the 65/440 deal. thanks!


I use a Moroso 8 qt pan but I have to look up the part# as I dont remember it or the headers part#. I will have to get both of them for you. I dont have a good straight eng pic but you can see how much room the drivers side has and the next pic will show you how little room the pass side has. Ron


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This shows the pass side as like most all Mopars the eng is off to the pass side some. Ron


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My grandfather told me (chrysler mechanic since before rocks became hard), the engines were offset to the passenger side to help compensate for the drivers weight when racing. Is he jerkin' my chain, possible, but it does make sense.
 
Well....on the Super Stock cars that had the battery relocated to the trunk had it on the passenger's side for three reasons
1) to get the weight out of the nose (and in to the rear for better transfer)
2) to offset the driver's weight and
3) to put more weight over the right rear tire
 
That makes all the sense in the world. Grandpa must have left that out so I could figure it out on my own, or he just forgot. They say when you get old, you lose your memory first, and I forget what the other thing is---ha! The flip side to that is, you can wake up to a different women every morning!
 
If you use the later K-frame with a big block with a single 4bbl do you need to do any firewall clearancing?

Presumably if you use the later K-frame you can use later headers and oil pans?

Also I seem to recall reading that on an A-body /6 K-frame the driver's side engine mount 'tower' is the same as the V8 and just the passenger side is different. Does anyone know if this applies to B-body K-frames as well (either '62-65 or '66-72)

Thanks
 
K frames

HI Guys, I am going through this right now. Pulled the Single Quad RB and trying to stuff a Cross Ram Hemi in it. What a can of worms. The Later K 66-70,,Intake hits the firewall.Thought I could get away with not using the Hemi passenger inner shock tower.... Not with Indy Heads and Valve covers.Early K,, Intake just clears ( it's not the original type it's the MOPerformance crossram) But you are not going to use TTI headers to clear the steering.
Now I was told by a builder that you can space the K frame-to-frame rails up to one inch to gain clearance but I have no conformation on this. I may go with a engine plate and modify the later K to make everything work. I have a call in to Kramer to see if his Hemi K frame will work but as of yet no responce. Oh yea. The car it painted already but if I have to rework the engine compartment,, so be it.
 
OK let me get this straight.
If I use '66-up K
passenger inner fender hits the head (Indy)
crossram hits firewall
TTI's don't fit
motor mounts? Shumaker?
Trans mount?

If I use '65-back
crossram fits
TTi's?
inner fender? (Indy)
motor mounts Shumaker
Radiator clearance?
Oilpan?
 
K frames

I think if you go to Mike's web site ( Schumacher ) he has photos of all the different K frames. and plenty of install info.engine-swaps.com. If I was installing the MP crate Hemi ( Iron Head ) with single or inline dual quads this will be a brezze of a install,using Mike's mounts.It's the Indy head Ports are in a different location.This requires different headers (TTI makes both) and may have pitman arm clearance issues. I guess it's trial and error time.
 
Went through this with the newer k, and hemi & crossram intake in my '64 savoy, (put the original k back in)- unless your racing and need that tiny bit that would help you set a new world record, don't mess with it. In my opinion, it's not worth all the other mods you have to do, firewall clearance, plus your header clearance, transmission cross member, etc, etc..And if it's a 4-gear, now you have opened a bigger can of worms, - clutch linkage, Z-bar, etc, etc. I'm doing my '62 fury right now, MAX WEDGE intake & heads, 4- speed, and went with a factory original '63-65 k-frame, mounts and insulators. Used TTI headers, very easy, and everything fit great, and had lots of clearance everywhere. But if your racing , and need that small one thousandth of a second, go for it. Lots of racers have done it. A lot of extra work.............if you like a challenge, go for it.
 
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K frames

Got a call from Kramer and got lots of info. ( compressed ) Using a 66 up k modified to use race hemi mounts slot mounts approx 1/4" or so possible more to gain firewall clearance for the cross ram. Ajustment will be needed to the trans mount also. Not legal for NHRA S/S.
 
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