Sweptline.ORG

Received block back from machine shop. Used wire wheel on die grinder and wire brush to clean rust and old paint off. Removed all sharp edges, washed with soap and water. Sprayed on one coat of primer. Used a foam brush to apply two coats of Bill Hirsch engine enamel / big block turquoise - not Hi P...

Block is at machine shop getting hot tanked, crank journals line bore checked / honed if needed, bored .030 over, and head surfaces squared up. Crank is also getting hot tanked and journals polished. Engine parts are trickling in..........so far we have; -Edelbrock performer RPM 84cc assembled heads...

I haven't even made it to the water. Been too busy around the house.

Thank you sir. I appreciate it.

That's weird pwrwgndrvr. I never said that, yet it's quoted from me. I would like to see where you got that info though. Just so I can read more on the topic. Yes, I plan on going to an automatic/big block radiator. Will run supply and return lines to transmission. I ordered a lockdown cable, and wi...

So if I understand correctly, for 69 trucks, the automatic trans and manual trans use the same mount and crossmember. Like I said before I've measure for distance from center of engine mount to output shaft. The 318/NP 435 and 440/727 (short tailshaft) are the same. Mounts appear the same as well. H...

What is different about the trans mounting between 67 and 69?

And it is underway. Engine is completely torn down and stock specs recorded are as follows with all original OEM parts 1976 model year 440 -Wrist pin I.D. / .745" -Edge of wrist pin I.D. to top of piston / 1.556" -Wrist pin I.D. divided by 2 = .3725" -1.556" + .372" = 1.928" -Piston compression heig...

Well, I'm pulling the 318/4 speed out and installing the 440/727. I will eyeball it really well in a few days to come up with some questions for you. Having guys willing to share info on here is priceless. I appreciate it sir. My first worry was length difference between the two combo's. I've rough ...

Well, I finally made it home and measured up. To my delight, the measurements on both units are spot on the same. 318/435 and 440/727 short (motorhome) tail shaft. Not sure about cross members or supports, but both measure 45" from center of engine mount to centerline of trans output shaft u-joint.

Wow, cool. I don't know who that is in the pic.

It actually is a small world after all.

That's it. The arctic blue 69 with aftermarket rims and tires in the first two pictures. WOW, those are some old pictures. I say old, maybe from 2002/2003? The Home Depot was being built in the background!

Where are you at?

Kenai

Those look good. What size tires do you have mounted there on the freshly powder coated rims?

Hey Guys, Wondering if anyone here has done this swap. 318/4 speed manual to 440/727 auto. I'm very curious as to a couple measurements as well; -center of engine mount on 318 to centerline of 4 speed manual output shaft u-joint. -center of engine mount on 440 to centerline of 727 auto (w/short tail...

Thank you John

Marklein, that's very true. I may kick that idea around some more. Although, I do have big block fever pretty badly. I have some cool ideas to make the install look and feel like the truck would've come new in 69 with this set-up. So I plan on using the stock heads, which I believe are 452's on a 76...

Thanks Sheldon. I guess I could try to keep the short tail shaft 727 and extend the forward driveline to compensate for the lack of distance. I'll have to take a tape measure to it. I plan on tearing down the engine, cleaning everything, and inspecting everything very well. Then I'll plan the build ...

Ok so I just picked up a 1976 440/727 combo from a motorhome that had 53,000 on the odometer for next to nothing. The 727 appears to be a short tail shaft (came from a 1976 Dodge F40). Like I said, I am mechanically inclined, just learning this stuff as I go. Would it be prudent to swap the tail sha...

Ok, thanks guys.

What year engine would be best to start with for the build, if there is such a thing?

One thing is for sure, I'll have more info and questions.......