74 Charger 318/904 to 440/727 with a twist

[Giggitybit]

Okay the 74 Charger has a 318/904 already in it - running/driving - 8 1/4 rear - I have a 67 8 3/4 rear, a 77 440 with a short shaft 727 - this is not my first time around the engine swap nor the mopar game - however I cannot find any first hand experience that has used the short tail 727 with a custom driveshaft - anyone here know anyone/anywhere that I can find some solid answers?

The motor is newly built, the 727 also built with a kit - so I'd rather use it - I do have many 727's that are long shaft, so I COULD change the shaft, but since I need a new driveshaft I'd rather know exactly what the hang up is with the short tail.

any help?

 

[Deleted member 214]

I could be wrong, but the 67 rear won't fit your 73 without mods - the perches are over three inches narrower center to center and flange to flange it is almost three inches narrower as well. From the web:

year body perch flange to flange
67 - 72 A body 43.02" 55.60"
62 - 70 B body 44.00" 59.20"
71 - 74 B body 47.30" 62.00"
71 - 74 B body Wagon 47.30" 63.40"

 

[Giggitybit]

hmm... so maybe that was why I clearly wrote on the rear "for dart only" - I thought I was just reminding myself of my intent... guess not =(

I can get a 9 1/4 posi setup for cheap - so I'll do that I guess... or maybe I'll make sure it's 62" first =)

anyway - back to the tailshaft... anyone? There is a local driveshaft company that quoted $175 for a steel, or $400 for an aluminum - but if there are other reasons...

edit - Umm... so maybe I should find out the opinion on the 9 1/4" first huh? it's out of a 2000 dodge truck - worth while?

 

[Patrick]

You'll have to reset your pinion angle. Mopar performance has shims in 2 degree increments to use on the spring pads. They also have a sure grip for the 8 1/4 and Mancini carries a full line of gears for it. My son parked his 440/4speed 8 1/4 sure grip 3:55 to 1, 72 Charger with over 800,000 mile on it to restore and the 8 1/4 never caused a problem.

 

[Giggitybit]

I found an 8 3/4 from a 72 that I'll run instead. But good info.
So no one is running a short shaft?

 

[Giggitybit]

going ahead anyway - after talking with 5 different shops here in Tulsa, every one of them said to go with a custom driveshaft rather than swap tails. So I'll document and take pics. several tranny shops suggested that the RV 727 should have some healthy internals from the get go.

 

[BlueThunder]

I have a driveshaft shop in Dallas. It's like 110 bucks for any 2wd shaft with new ujoints and that includes a balance job.
I use them for all my stuff. Much easier to go with a custom shaft, at least IMO.
But I don't have valuable #'s cars either. I just like mine to work!

 

[Giggitybit]

I have a driveshaft shop in Dallas. It's like 110 bucks for any 2wd shaft with new ujoints and that includes a balance job.
I use them for all my stuff. Much easier to go with a custom shaft, at least IMO.
But I don't have valuable #'s cars either. I just like mine to work!

LOL! This car is FAR from valuable - I'm just wanting it to work and then be fun to play with - the shop up here quoted $250 - and i'd bring 'er down to Dallas if the Tow fee wouldn't FAR outstrip the savings =)
They are being nice enough that I tow it to them and they are doing all the measurements =)

 

[BlueThunder]

Driveshaft measuring isn't rocket science, as long as you don't go too long!