74 Satellite small block to big block

[mstephens6900]

I'm new to the engine swaps on B bodies can anyone tell me the oil pan I will need the correct engine mounts and should I toss the 518 trans and go 727. I'm going from a 318 to a 383 in a 74 Sebring Plus

 

[vetteman91]

I just bought a 74 RR with a big block in it and it was originally a small block. You can either install a big block K frame OR order some Schumacher conversion mounts which work with existing k frame. My engine sat in the wrong position and clutch linkage would not line up correctly so I opted for the conversion mounts. Easy to install and sets the engine where it needs to be. I have seen on the forums about the oil pans and I think I even saw them listed at Brewers Performance when I was ordering new clutch parts. Mine already had a usable oil pan so I'm not much help there.

 

[Badvert65]

only auto that directly bolts to a big block is a (big block) 727

 

[WP29440SE]

any regular big block passenger car oil pan will work with the conversion mounts or BB k member. IE 699 , 187 etc.

 

[mstephens6900]

This tranny has a short tail shaft not like the 727 or the 904 it was supposedly out of a motor home with a 440 I have not torn it open but where do I find the markings to identify

 

[WP29440SE]

This tranny has a short tail shaft not like the 727 or the 904 it was supposedly out of a motor home with a 440 I have not torn it open but where do I find the markings to identify

all passenger car 727 are 35" long. all 904's are 31" long. the short tail shaft motor home 727 are just that, short tail shaft and will not work in a passenger car. you can however transplant a long shaft into the case and use a long tail shaft. I personally wouldn't touch a motor home 727 , instead I would just find the right 727 and have that rebuilt , or run it if it is a good one.

 

[mstephens6900]

Awesome that's what I needed to know the guy it came from swore it was an A518 4speed it was free good and bolted direct in the previous build (79 short bed) so I never questioned thank you

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Passenger cars were mid sump correct I have swapped it from a front sump to rear for the last transplant

 

[mstephens6900]

Went trough Schumacher got the correct motor mounts plus have the correct oil pan and tranny comming anymore advice ?

 

[Bruzilla]

A V8 K member is a V8 k member, and the one for your small block will work with your big block. You will need to change the motor mounts. When I did my 74 I bought a set new from NAPA last year for about $30. You will also need to get BB power steering pump brackets, alternator and brackets, exhaust manifolds/headers, and there are two different water pumps. One exits on the left and one on the right, so make sure you get the one that exits on the right side for your radiator.

You're also going to need BB torsion bars, and depending on how powerful your engine is you might want to think about upgrading the rear if you still have an 8.25 rear in it.

 

[Nacho-RT74]

A V8 K member is a V8 k member, and the one for your small block will work with your big block.

eeehm, not... that it is true up to 72, but from 73 BB and SB K frames changed.

Will fit? somehow yes.

will CORRECTLY fit? no. You can get some aligment issues with drive line, tranny linkage etc...

 

[Kernel Sanders]

As Nacho said there are a few small allignment issues... the BB will go onto the SB Kframe but you will find that the engine sits a little higher (guestamate 1 to 1.5"). My main issue was the large 20" clutch fan WILL hit the top of your stock fan shroud, I had to go back to a the 18" fixed fan for now. I have a bulge hood so I didnt have any issue with that but it may be a possibility with a flat hood depending on your intake setup.

One of the 'goods' with the little extra hight is that I didnt have to beat on the passenger side inner fender for headers and I can still (but barely) change the sparkplugs too... you may be aware that the passenger side SB vs BB inner fender are different, the BB has a very large opening and splash guard/mat for access whereas the SB does not.

PS I am still contemplating changing out the SB Kframe for the a BB Kframe

 

[YY1]

Kernel- did you use the Schumaker conversion mounts?

How did your header install go on the pass side? Did you cut anything? What headers did you use?

Is yours a B or RB?

I'm contemplating putting a BB and/or 4 speed in my 73.

I have a 72 BB K frame. I don't suppose that would work in a 73.

I thought pre-66 BB and SB K frames were different, 66-70 were the same, and post-70 were different again.

 

[Kernel Sanders]

No I got the car like this. SB Kframe with a 383 in there with the BB spool motor mounts.

I did have to take the 383 out once since I got the car. I dont know what headers they are but they had to be removed and reinstalled from underneath

Oh the 73 and up Kframes are completely different setup (including suspension and even torsion bars are longer) than the 72 and down and nothing is interchangeable other than the upper ball joint, and that's no kidding.

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I guess i could get the Schumaker conversion mounts so that the BB would sit in there at the right height and so that I could use my 20" clutch fan... I will have to think on it as I do have a BB Kframe for the car but it needs work.

PS I missed some of your questions YY1. The passenger inner fender has not been modified in any way, nor was the header dinged in any way. Sorry I have no idea who made them either and there are no identifying marks

 

[YY1]

I hope I'm not hijacking this thread, as all of my questions and comments seem valid to the OP's question.

Yeah, I shoulda known that about 72 vs 73.

72 is pretty much just like 66-70 under there.

An acquaintance of mine has been struggling for years with a big block 73 RR conversion.

He had fairly high dollar ceramic hooker headers and they were dinged and mangled to hell.
Tried them with a 400 and a 440, and didn't work with either. He even cut the Pass inner fender like factory BB cars.

Said with the 400 they hit the fender and steering, and with the 440 they hit the trans.

 

[WP29440SE]

I hope I'm not hijacking this thread, as all of my questions and comments seem valid to the OP's question.

Yeah, I shoulda known that about 72 vs 73.

72 is pretty much just like 66-70 under there.

An acquaintance of mine has been struggling for years with a big block 73 RR conversion.

He had fairly high dollar ceramic hooker headers and they were dinged and mangled to hell.
Tried them with a 400 and a 440, and didn't work with either. He even cut the Pass inner fender like factory BB cars.

Said with the 400 they hit the fender and steering, and with the 440 they hit the trans.

I have hedman long tube headers on my 440 in my 74 charger that has a small block K member. I had to put one little ding in the #3 tube to clear the steering box. that was it, they do not interfere with anything. I probably didn't even have to put that one in , but I wanted a little re-assurance. I did not use conversion mounts. I used BB motor mounts and did a little cutting , mounted them in front of the bosses and they sat right down in the K member. the engine does not sit high in the K frame. it sits right where it should be, confirmed by another BB car. I am using SB 77 charger torsion bars which are .96 thick. and are plenty stiff for the 440. I accomplished this by mounting up the trans first and then working each mount to fit. to my knowledge only the 73 had the big giant hole on the passenger side engine compartment. the 440 in my 74 clears everything, with headers. I am using a 699 oil pan.

 

[Bruzilla]

I had a 318 74 with a 383 swapped into it, a 318 73 Road Runner with a 440 swapped into it, and they just installed the 440 into my 318 74 Road Runner and I've never had to replace the K member or use special mounts.

What I'm wondering is if guys with fit issues used the wrong type of motor mounts. I know there are three kinds out there, two for cars and one for trucks.

 

[WP29440SE]

I had a 318 74 with a 383 swapped into it, a 318 73 Road Runner with a 440 swapped into it, and they just installed the 440 into my 318 74 Road Runner and I've never had to replace the K member or use special mounts.

What I'm wondering is if guys with fit issues used the wrong type of motor mounts. I know there are three kinds out there, two for cars and one for trucks.

when I originally mocked up the 440 using BB car mounts in the K member, which originally housed a 360, the engine sat almost exactly 1 inch back of the drivers side mount on the K frame, with the trans mounted. I simply trimmed it and bolted it on the front side of the bosses , and it dropped right in. the passenger side lined up ok.

this was the mock up