have a 86 dodge 318 truck has a bad tranny but thinking in swapping SB to a 440, is this possible !? is this truck equipped with a computer that would make this swap impossible !? any guidance would be appreciated !?
86 D150 318 to 440
- Thread starter chargerz
- Start date
LocuMob
Fluid Technician
Yes it's possible! And there isn't much in the way of getting it done other than engine mounts and exhaust, radiator/heater hoses. You'll need a big block trans tunnel also. But it can be done fairly easily.
Big Block trans tunnel ? Huh ?
For starters you'll need the mounts & brackets , small brake booster , exhaust ( either truck manifolds or headers ), oil pan & dip stick , big block transmission , and you'll also need the correct power steering pump bracket . That's just off of the top of my head .
LocuMob
Fluid Technician
I meant trans case. I had just woken up. Tunnel might be a bit of an undertaking!Big Block trans tunnel ? Huh ?
LocuMob
Fluid Technician
Forgot about the pan. I have them laying all over from all the RV 440's I've picked up, I'm usually looking to put a truck engine in a car.
I think that's about it for the basics, there really isn't that much you need to do it. It might also be helpful to get a larger radiator, right bear? Lol
LocuMob
Fluid Technician
That will be a fun one!
If there's a computer behind the battery then more then likely it's injected . But there's way's around that . Just means a little more wiring . Personally , I'd get rid of it entirely .
Go ahead , rub it in Mob . I'll have you know that Luci's running nice and cool "now" .
Moparwendell
Well-Known Member
There is a lot you can get around on these old dodge trucks are you after performance? You might wanna talk headers I'm not sure what bear is running on his I currently am running headmans the hookers I think fit better but I don't like how they neck down at the collectors and like bear said a small booster would be a big one I still have a big one you have to pull to remove the drivers valve cover it sucks
7mopar
Well-Known Member
Yes you have a computer. It is a simplified leanburn system that basically controls timing and monitors engine functions.
If you want to stick with a carb find an 85 engine harness and do away with the computer. If going to throttle body injection use an 89 to 93 harness, censors and instrument panel.
If you want to stick with a carb find an 85 engine harness and do away with the computer. If going to throttle body injection use an 89 to 93 harness, censors and instrument panel.
Moparwendell
Well-Known Member
I'm sorry I currently am out but I will keep a look out and when you run headers you will get to build your own dipstick tube but not a big deal I am actually running all car brackets and march pulleys with a left hand lower radiator hose it's kind of a mix and match of stuff that actually works lol
The factory truck oil pan has the dip stick coming out of it but with the aftermarket pans you have to have the dip stick coming off the block . Either way , the dip stick routing does get "interesting" in the big block trucks . lol As far as the cooling system . It all depends on what radiator your going to use and use the correct water pump housing whether it be a left hand or right hand lower hose .
7mopar
Well-Known Member
Truck rb headers that much different from car header that the dipstick tube is a problem?
Well it's just that there's no real bolt in tube that clears the headers whether you run it off of the stock pan or the block . I run the stock 7 quart pan and dip stick and I still had to tweak it to clear the header tube's . One of these days , I still have to fab up a bracket to bolt it too . Right now it's just kind of chill'in between the head tubes and it kind of bounce's around when I'm at idle . It's on my to-do list with everything else . lol
67 Power Wagon
Well-Known Member
For what I know, the only thing I can see that you'd have to do it motor mounts and maybe trans mount. Because of the length difference in the big block (length) so.....
In an '86 tho, I can't say you have any computer issues to deal with,..... Not for the engine size! The other thing I'd replace if you can is the stock radiator! The 318's used a small one as the big blocks used a larger one, so if you get the engine in the truck, being a 440, your gonna need a bigger radiator too...... They NEED the extra cooling! I myself? I'd run the BIGGEST radiator you can fit in the truck because of the engines size to prevent over-heating!
For exhaust the stock manifolds would fit no problem BUT if your going to use Headers, boy I'm not sure.... I know that Tri-Y's from Schumacher would fit no problem! AND they won't conceal the starter too! -Been thinkin' of a set of those for my 383 actually on the '67....BUT, with my 383 and the head type they'd have to be modified on the center 2 exhaust ports.... SO. I'll leave well-enough alone for now!
In an '86 tho, I can't say you have any computer issues to deal with,..... Not for the engine size! The other thing I'd replace if you can is the stock radiator! The 318's used a small one as the big blocks used a larger one, so if you get the engine in the truck, being a 440, your gonna need a bigger radiator too...... They NEED the extra cooling! I myself? I'd run the BIGGEST radiator you can fit in the truck because of the engines size to prevent over-heating!
For exhaust the stock manifolds would fit no problem BUT if your going to use Headers, boy I'm not sure.... I know that Tri-Y's from Schumacher would fit no problem! AND they won't conceal the starter too! -Been thinkin' of a set of those for my 383 actually on the '67....BUT, with my 383 and the head type they'd have to be modified on the center 2 exhaust ports.... SO. I'll leave well-enough alone for now!