[FWDLK] 56 Dodge 360/727 Engine Swap

[Scott H <kneedrager@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I have FINALLY decided to force myself to get back to work on my Dodge
project.  First on the list is to mock up the engine and transmission mounts
and placement.

I had planned all along to use a set of factory spool mounts (from a later
model A/F body) and make brackets to hold them but this will not work. The
spool mounts drop too low and keep the engine way too high in the front.

Pictures of how it is starting fit together are at:
http://community.webshots.com/user/finadk

I am going to try a set of motor mounts from www.chassisengineeringinc.com.
They do not make and exact swap for this application and the dimensions of
the frame tabs do not match the dimensions called for on the web site (but I
have to go back and re-measure) but even it it is off a little it can be
resolved by re-drilling the mounting hole in the engine mount.

The good news is that I dont think I have to move the transmission
crossmember at all. Imperial Services makes a transmission mount that will
allow you mount a 727 TF to the existing crossmember.This mount is basically
a 56 mount with the holes re-spaced to bolt up to the 727 TF. They also told
me that they have a custom cable setup that will allow you to use the
original  push buttons with a 727TF! (no park feature but the car survived
this long without it)

The placement of the engine is still a bit of a concern.  As far as front to
back if looks like I have  plenty of clearance but once he heater box is put
back on the firewall it may be a close fit for the distributor.  I'd  rather
move it forard a little because radiator clearance wont be an issue for me
as I will run an electric fan. (I saw one swap of a 318 into a 56 Plym at
Carlisile and the spacing between the fan an the radiator looked really
really close)
It does not look like the original engine was offset left to right at all
and I don't plan to offset this one unless I discover that I need clearance
for headers later on. Again I can re-drill the mount if I have to shift it a
little.

Does anyone know how much of an angle the engine should be at regarding to
how far it drops down in the back? Can I calculate the correct angle by
placing the intake manifold on a level bench and checking the angle of the
carberator base, then drop the engine to the same angle?  The carb should
then be level OR am I missing something? (this way I do not have to unpack
the heads and intake and assemble them on the bare block).

Scott
1956 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer
2002 Dodge Ram Quad Cab

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