Engine/Trans swap into my 72 Challenger

[72challenger83]

I got a 383/727 setup that was in my '69 charger. My '72 challenger has a 318/727 in it now. I was wanting to swap in the 383/727 into the challenger. From what I have read the headers that are on the 383 will work on the E body. My question is the length of the 727. Are they both the same? The 383/727 was mounted in the charger with the stock driveshaft. I am trying to avoid having to cut the driveshaft or anything like that to make it work. Is that possible in this case? I am pretty much wanting to pull the 318/727 setup and swap in the 383/727 without any major mods.

Doug

 

[RUNCHARGER]

Yeah that's as easy as it gets, all bolt in, you'll need the rad out of the Charger too.

Sheldon

 

[72challenger83]

Yeah that's as easy as it gets, all bolt in, you'll need the rad out of the Charger too.

Sheldon

Cool deal. Thats what I thought. But wanted to check before getting it all apart.

As far as the radiator goes. The one is still in the charger it is being used to cool the 440 i built for it. The rad in the challenger is wider than the one in the charger, you think it will give me cooling issues with the 383? Worst case I can add an electric fan to the front side of the rad to aid the metal fan in bringing in cool air???

Doug

 

[moparleo]

The outlets for the radiator hoses are on the opposite sides of the radiators tanks. 318-340-360 radiators do not work with 383-440 engines.

 

[mmissile]

Some of the later BB water pump housings dump on the opposite side. The upper hose is easy.

 

[72challenger83]

What kind of gas mileage difference should I expect going from the 318 2brl to the '67 383 2brl. The '67 383 2 brl now has a weiand intake and holley 770 avenger carb and headers. I hear of guys online getting 20mpg with the 318 2brl motor. I was thinking it would be like 15mpg with the 383. Of course I understand that is driving normal and not racing from light to light.....

 

[RUNCHARGER]

If it's in good shape it should only drop 1 or 2 MPG from the 318.

Sheldon

 

[Badvert65]

What engine mounts do you need for the swap? I am considering the same thing in a 72 Cuda.

 

[challenger6pak]

The B body driveshaft is 3 inches longer then the E body driveshaft. You never know if the Charger has the original shaft. Try it. The shaft when installed, needs to be able to move on the transmission spline. It is a slip joint. If it does not have room to move you will break things.

 

[aussiemark]

In the 1970 Dodge service manual it has the Challenger auto trans 318 with 8 3/4 axle prop shaft length at 49.95 inches but doesn't mention whether it is a 904 or 727, the Challenger auto trans 383 w/2bbl 8 3/4 is 45.85 inches, the Challenger auto trans 383 w/4bbl 8 3/4 is 45.60 which is the same as Challenger auto trans 426,440 8 3/4. Why does the 383 2 and 4 barrel auto trans cars have a different length shaft? aren't the transmissions the same?

 

[moparleo]

Don't know why the difference on the 383's but 904 was the only auto trans option for 318.

 

[aussiemark]

Badvert65 the rubber mounts are the same you just need the mount adaptors that bolt to the block.

 

[aussiemark]

Don't know why the difference on the 383's but 904 was the only auto trans option for 318.

There is a A727-A listed in the service manual for the 318 with a stall speed of 1750-1950 while the 318 A904-LA had a stall speed of 2100-2320 and the 340 4 bbl A727-A stall was 2250-2450 there is also A727-RG listed for the 225 leaning tower of power with a stall speed of 1450-1650. I have never seen a 318 with a 727 but they could be out there.

 

[challenger6pak]

The 727 was behind 225, 318 police, taxi, or heavy duty service motors. You will find a lot of Dodge Diplomats that way.

 

[bad440]

There were many 318's with the 727, had a 1985 Ram 318 with 727 as well as a 68 Polara with a 318 and 727. They are more common than you think. You will need a 727 that was behind a big block, 383, 400, 440,etc; mostly bolt in with right engine mounts, did this to my Challenger many years ago. There are other needed items such as bigger radiator, different drive shaft, and proper alternator, power steering brackets, Am sure I missed a few things but as engine swaps go this one is pretty easy.

 

[moparleo]

Here is more info on the 727 used behind 318http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TorqueFlite#A727_.2836RH.2F37RH.29

I know what the service manual says. I was referring to his 1972 318/727 in his 72 Challenger. Was this the original engine and trans that came with the car ?
Small block 727's were mainly for truck and van applications. The slant six model on taxi's and police cars. Not really that common in the boneyards.

 

[aussiemark]

There probably wasn't too many Challenger taxi cabs, anyway I was just trying to give some info I had on prop shaft lengths.

 

[72challenger83]

My '72 Challenger has the 318/727 in it now and still has the driveshaft also. The car is all original.
I have a 383/727 setup (still bolted together) I pulled from my '69 charger.
I am going to remove the 318/727 and put in the 383/727 in the car.
Going to reuse the driveshaft that is in the challenger now.
I am going to replace the 318 radiator with a big block radiator and should be ready to roll.

 

[challenger6pak]

72challenger83, check the VIN on the trans. I doubt it will match your car.