OK I am slowly doing the A518 Conversion on my 70 E Body.

I have trimmed the transmission and if I raise the tranny into the tunnel I feel like the space is a little tight. That isn't so bad but with the trans about 1/2" from the floorpan/trans-crossmember the oil pan is only about 3/8 from the centerlink.

If anyone has done this conversion (cough 1wildrt cough) could you look at these pics and tell me what you think? I had the frame straightened years ago and now I am worried it is still off and hence the tight clearance on the oil pan.







More pics
http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a392/IMGTX/public/A518%20Conversion/

Did you take a measurment prior to removing the original trans, with the stock crossmember & mount in place? On both that I've done when the measurment is correct you could still jack the trans up 1" to 1.25"...I did slightly dimple the floorpan on the drivers side, you've seen the tight area...

I am going from a 440 to a 360 Magnum. I haven't had the 440 in the car since before I decided to do the conversion, so I didn't take measurements first.

To me the transmission looks really low in the back but maybe it's an illusion from the deeper pan. Do you remember how much distance is between the top of the tail housing and the tunnel? Mine looks around 5 to 8 inches.

Thanks for pointing out the need to dimple the floor pan. I remember you mentioning it but forgot to do it. I think if I dimple the floor at the fitting on the drivers side I can get another 1" higher at the back of the transmission.

I will start by dimpling the floor pan and if I have to I will swap the 440 back in but the transmission is buried deep in the back of my brother in law's shed.

Can you scrounge up a small block 727 just to trial fit? I actually used an empty case on the 518 while testing the first time, makes it alot easier...

BTW this isn't for your vert is it???

would also bolt the motor in during the 727 trial fit. get everything level and measure from there.

Yes it's for the convertible. I want to drive it daily and I want EFI for drive ability / decent gas mileage so out with the 440 and in with the 360.

Yes, The motor mount bolts are out but the engine mounts just sit on the K-Frame so it shouldn't affect the installed height of the engine.

I do have 1 small block 727 and it is behind the BB 727 in my brother in law's shed.

I need to get another 727 anyway so I may just go get one and save some digging.

Thanks for the advice.

I added a dent to the floor pan you suggested and it seemed to give me the added clearance I needed. That will teach me to read your post and not just look at the pretty pictures.

Hopefully I can get a transmisson mount made soon. Then I can start working out the headers, wiring and fuel system.