72 Satellite Big Block conversion

[43tutor]

Hello to the group. I've recently signed up for an account on this forum and I'm now looking for some advice.

I've been "away" from the Mopar scene for a number of years after selling my 72 Satellite to help pay our first house. Now years later, with my 14 year old son, we are looking to get back into the Mopar mix.

I'm looking at a 72 Satellite roller (complete minus the small block and tranny) that is solid and would be a great project car. The 72 Satellite had a 318 but if I purchase the car I plan to drop a in a 440 (I've always wanted a big block car).

After looking through some threads on this forum I understand the 71 /72 B-body cars will except either a small or big block without changing the K-member. Also, if I remember correctly the motor mounts will need to be changed.

Is that correct?

Second question - with a 440 / 727 tranny what else will need to be converted. I assume the tranny mount and radiator. I'm also wondering about the torsion bars. Is there a difference on the bars from small block to big block due to the weight difference?

I also plan to change to an 8 3/4 rearend with a posi.

Would any of the electrical need changed?

That's our plans ~ any help is greatly appreciated. I'm not sure who is more excited, old Dad or my 14 year old Son.

 

[PettyBlue72]

Welcome to the site! The trans mount is the same from a small block auto to big block. You will need a 26" BB rad/schroud, a set of big block torsion bars, big block motor mounts, big block engine harness for a 72 B-body, car oil pan, BB 727. If you have the org. 904 driveshaft, it will need shortened and rebalance as the 727 has a longer tailshaft.

Joe

 

[racedodge]

Hello to the group. I've recently signed up for an account on this forum and I'm now looking for some advice.

I've been "away" from the Mopar scene for a number of years after selling my 72 Satellite to help pay our first house. Now years later, with my 14 year old son, we are looking to get back into the Mopar mix.

WELCOME BACK TO THE INSANITY!!!!! :headbang:

I'm looking at a 72 Satellite roller (complete minus the small block and tranny) that is solid and would be a great project car. The 72 Satellite had a 318 but if I purchase the car I plan to drop a in a 440 (I've always wanted a big block car).

After looking through some threads on this forum I understand the 71 /72 B-body cars will except either a small or big block without changing the K-member. Also, if I remember correctly the motor mounts will need to be changed.

Is that correct?

yes you are correct

Second question - with a 440 / 727 tranny what else will need to be converted. I assume the tranny mount and radiator. I'm also wondering about the torsion bars. Is there a difference on the bars from small block to big block due to the weight difference?

1. you will need to get a different oil pan most likely, dependent upon what the 440 came out of
2. you will need to elongate your coil wire as the coil for BB cars were located at the front of the engine and not the rear
3. you will need different carb/kickdown linkage unless you plan on running aftermarket stuff
4. I would recommend a larger radiator
5. torsion bars are different, but I would not be too worried about swapping them out
6. tranny mount is the same between a 904 and 727 (only differences are between auto and manual trans)
7. lastly, assuming you are going from a 904 TO a 727, you will need to shorten your driveshaft by 4 1/8" since the 727 is that much longer than a 904 (obviously getting it rebalanced at the same time)

I also plan to change to an 8 3/4 rearend with a posi.

SURE-GRIP IS THE APPROPRIATE MOPAR TERMINOLOGY, hehehehehehe

Would any of the electrical need changed?

other than upgrades, nope

That's our plans ~ any help is greatly appreciated. I'm not sure who is more excited, old Dad or my 14 year old Son.

good luck i cannot wait until my son (he is 4 now) wants to help with dad in the garage!

 

[PettyBlue72]

WELCOME BACK TO THE INSANITY!!!!! :headbang:



yes you are correct



1. you will need to get a different oil pan most likely, dependent upon what the 440 came out of
2. you will need to elongate your coil wire as the coil for BB cars were located at the front of the engine and not the rear
3. you will need different carb/kickdown linkage unless you plan on running aftermarket stuff
4. I would recommend a larger radiator
5. torsion bars are different, but I would not be too worried about swapping them out
6. tranny mount is the same between a 904 and 727 (only differences are between auto and manual trans)
7. lastly, assuming you are going from a 904 TO a 727, you will need to shorten your driveshaft by 4 1/8" since the 727 is that much longer than a 904 (obviously getting it rebalanced at the same time)

SURE-GRIP IS THE APPROPRIATE MOPAR TERMINOLOGY, hehehehehehe



other than upgrades, nope



good luck i cannot wait until my son (he is 4 now) wants to help with dad in the garage!

Thats funny, I pretty much said everything you did in the post before yours.

 

[racedodge]

:icon_pray:

Thats funny, I pretty much said everything you did in the post before yours.

great minds think alike! lol

 

[PettyBlue72]

What's the difference between the auto and 4spd trans crossmember? I always thought they were interchangable.

Joe

 

[racedodge]

What's the difference between the auto and 4spd trans crossmember? I always thought they were interchangable.

Joe

joe, you are right, i was thinking 70 and below :tied up:<---racedodge

 

[PettyBlue72]

I'm sorry but that cartoon you included in your post is hilarious!

 

[43tutor]

Thanks for all the great information and response.

I'm still trying to close the deal on the 72 Satellite and everything else should start to fall into place after that.

OK - PettyBlue72 - you got me me on the "Sure-Grip", I actually typed that first and then deleted and just typed "posi". I'm a little rusty but the terminology will soon find it's way back into my vocab. I'm such a slacker....