318 4006730-318-5 Identification

[JamieBIdaho]

Hey everyone,

I'm rebuilding a 65 Belvedere II and replaced my slant six with a 318, engine stamp # 4006730-318-5.

I'm mating it to my 904 and have a question. How do I identify that motor? I wanted to confirm it was all going to work and I was directed to the guys at Monster Transmission. Ron there, who was awesome, also did something similar with a 65 Belveder and he stated I need to know two things - 1. is that motor the poly 318 or not and 2. is the crank balanced on it's own.

I have looked and looked and can't find anything on that motor number. Any help?

 

[JamieBIdaho]

some more photos

 

[Cranky]

It's the LA engine and not a poly but the balance is the same.....and if it's a 67 model, it should have a forged crank. Casting date is on the side of the block.

 

[JamieBIdaho]

It's the LA engine and not a poly but the balance is the same.....and if it's a 67 model, it should have a forged crank. Casting date is on the side of the block.

Looks like it is a 74!

Thank you for your input! Closer to getting this thing rolling now!

 

[Cranky]

Oct of 74 means it went into a 75 model vehicle. There are more numbers on the left side front just below the deck surface....should tell you more about it but cast crank teens were still internal balance.

 

[Darter6]

Have you transmission guy check to see what size the Converter pilot snout is.You may need to install a bushing in the 74 crank register. I know pre 68 slant six 904's are smaller,I do believe that the V8 904's were too.It is needed to support the converter mating to the crank.Also 1 tranny bellhousing bolt hole won't line up. No biggie,leave the bolt out,guy's do it all the time.

 

[Darter6]

One more thing. The early B body K frames are different between the Slant six and the V8. It won't be a direct bolt in.You can modify the K frame you have,or replace it with a V8 K. Most guys swap for the 66 and up K frames,But you run into tranny mount not lining up.A 63-65 K would be the best but harder to find.
A company called Schumacher Creative Services Makes engine swap mounts (not for the slant six K)and the tranny conversion mount. I understand guys are saying that most of his stuff is on back order and may not be available for a long time.
Are we having fun yet ?

 

[JamieBIdaho]

Have you transmission guy check to see what size the Converter pilot snout is.You may need to install a bushing in the 74 crank register. I know pre 68 slant six 904's are smaller,I do believe that the V8 904's were too.It is needed to support the converter mating to the crank.Also 1 tranny bellhousing bolt hole won't line up. No biggie,leave the bolt out,guy's do it all the time.

I'll totally check that. Thank you.

 

[JamieBIdaho]

One more thing. The early B body K frames are different between the Slant six and the V8. It won't be a direct bolt in.You can modify the K frame you have,or replace it with a V8 K. Most guys swap for the 66 and up K frames,But you run into tranny mount not lining up.A 63-65 K would be the best but harder to find.
A company called Schumacher Creative Services Makes engine swap mounts (not for the slant six K)and the tranny conversion mount. I understand guys are saying that most of his stuff is on back order and may not be available for a long time.
Are we having fun yet ?

Yup, I replaced the krame with a v8 one, so the motor itself is already in. Shumacher stopped returning my calls and emails I think the alternative would be to fab my own cross member/tranny mount?

 

[Darter6]

Yes, I used one from a A body 67-72 Dodge Dart. You will have to modify the cross member. I wish I had taken photos .I cut the bottom out as the A body mount is larger in depth and single bolt. Set it for proper pinion angle.Had to make a strap to bolt it to and weld it to the cross member. Some trimming of the cross member needs done were the mount bolts to the tranny.Took a few hours of off and on till all was right.
Not saying this is true but I think Schumacher lost the company that was making the parts for him.I heard his health may be a problem too.May just be rumors.

 

[JamieBIdaho]

Ok, so with your help I got the correct flex plate ( I think) and attached it to the motor. I think I attached it correctly. It's concave on one side and I put that side on the motor like pics I saw online. Got the transmission mounted. And Darter6 mentioned the converter snout and possibly needing a bushing so I wanted to run these pics by you. The flex plate and torque converter holes match up, but the flex plate is about 1/8th of an inch away from the torque converter. Is this gap a problem or is it indicative of needing a bushing?

 

[JamieBIdaho]

Also you mentioned the cross member. Yeah it totally isn't going to work as is. Including pics of where the transmission sites now that it is mated and pics of the cross member. Thoughts on how to modify this to make it work.

 

[Darter6]

Can't say about the bushing without measurements of the converter pilot and the crank now that you have it together. The converter will move in and out and should pull up to the flex plate without any force.If you give me until this weekend I can take photos of my cross member to give you a idea.I will do my best to do that.

 

[Darter6]

Did the best I could laying on my back for the photos. As you can see I cut the bottom out of the original cross member.Dropped in the A body tranny mount with measurements matching where the original mount was to keep correct output angle.Had to slot the mount to tranny bolt holes some.Trimmed some of the cross member to clear so no metal to metal was touching.Made a U shaped cup for the single bolt mount and welded it in place. I cut one of the mounting ears from the 904 that is used in the factory floor shift bracket thinking it was in the way but it would have cleared ok. Hope this helps you with your project.

 

[Darter6]

It was a little bit rough and crude, trial and error so the finish isn't perfect, but so is the car. I call it my "Crusty Classic". We will leave "Rat Rod" to the Ford and Chevy guys.