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A Body SB to BB conversion
#1375312
01/25/13 04:24 AM
01/25/13 04:24 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 104
Arkansas
Nimbus426
OP
member
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OP
member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 104
Arkansas
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What's better: Schumacher A body conversion mounts on a small block k frame or original big block A body k frame?
My small block k frame is damaged, so I'd have to get that repaired anyway along with modifying it so it'll work with the schumachers. BUT my other option is a guy wants to sell me an original A body BB k frame for $250. I'd still need to buy mounts for it though. And I also heard that the original style mounts will only bolt into certain engines.
Trying to decide which would be less of a headache and better in the long run. Thanks
-ERIC
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Re: A Body SB to BB conversion
[Re: Nimbus426]
#1375313
01/25/13 11:00 AM
01/25/13 11:00 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert
Circle Track
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Circle Track
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 36,041
Lincoln Nebraska
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Welcome here! I did one with the Schumaker conversion mounts (69 valiant 383) where you slightly ground on the K member pedestal mount on the DR side iirc & it was easy/trouble free. I'd say go that way except in your case you need to remove/repair your current K member. Yes iirc I believe you need to use a block with either the drilled bosses on the front side or undrilled bosses & drill them. The front bosses may only be on '66 blocks & someone will clarify that for you. I'd start by pricing a set of the mounts & an appropriate block & $250 for the Kmember & comparing that to the Schumaker mts & a repaired (or another one) Kmember. As you know the hard part ($$$) will be locating the block with the bosses. I think going with the Schumaker setup will be the easiest. I'd be leery of the current damaged one especially if it is mangled to the point where it needs removed to fix it.
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
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Re: A Body SB to BB conversion
[Re: JohnRR]
#1375317
01/25/13 02:39 PM
01/25/13 02:39 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 104
Arkansas
Nimbus426
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OP
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Posts: 104
Arkansas
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That's what I needed to hear. I think I'll go with the Schumacher mounts. My K Frame isn't damaged too bad..it looks like someone didn't bolt a motor in there tight enough so it tore it up around the bolt holes. If I need a new one I know where to find one. Thanks for the input!
-ERIC
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Re: A Body SB to BB conversion
[Re: RapidRobert]
#1375320
01/25/13 09:19 PM
01/25/13 09:19 PM
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,950
WI
Dcuda69
master
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master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,950
WI
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Quote:
Welcome here! I did one with the Schumaker conversion mounts (69 valiant 383) where you slightly ground on the K member pedestal mount on the DR side iirc & it was easy/trouble free. I'd say go that way except in your case you need to remove/repair your current K member. Yes iirc I believe you need to use a block with either the drilled bosses on the front side or undrilled bosses & drill them. The front bosses may only be on '66 blocks & someone will clarify that for you. I'd start by pricing a set of the mounts & an appropriate block & $250 for the Kmember & comparing that to the Schumaker mts & a repaired (or another one) Kmember. As you know the hard part ($$$) will be locating the block with the bosses. I think going with the Schumaker setup will be the easiest. I'd be leery of the current damaged one especially if it is mangled to the point where it needs removed to fix it.
Just to clarify...the bosses on the front of the blocks for the BB k-frame seem to be hit and miss. I have a 74 400 block(stroked to 470)in mine on a original BB k frame....the bosses were there and drilled! $250 for a good BB k-frame is a good price...I paid more than that but mine had the mounts,etc.
With all that said I would do the Schumacher or DC conversion...wish I would have.
With THAT said.....BB A-bodies are a hoot to drive!!!   
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Re: A Body SB to BB conversion
[Re: Cab_Burge]
#1375321
01/26/13 12:44 AM
01/26/13 12:44 AM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 168
Washington State, USA
Winchester 73
member
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member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 168
Washington State, USA
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Quote:
I would and do use elephant ears to do that conversion   I have a original GTS 383 1969 Dart, if the block your going to use doesn't have the two cast in threaded bolt bosses on the very left front of the block your motor wouldn't work in a original car. The spool mounts are a little better deal due to being able to use any BB block. My Duster, and several other A bodys I have had or built used th elephant ears 
i second the nod to elephant ears -its easy and fun.seems to tie the car together very well becose it makes the engine part of the cars structure.
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Re: A Body SB to BB conversion
[Re: Winchester 73]
#1375322
01/26/13 01:49 AM
01/26/13 01:49 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 104
Arkansas
Nimbus426
OP
member
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Posts: 104
Arkansas
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Thanks for all the advice! I didn't even think about elephant ears. I think I'll give that a shot. I'm still trying to find an 8 3/4 that doesn't cost $1,000. I've heard mixed opinions about making B Body rears fit, so I'm thinking of waiting for a good deal on an A Body rear to come up.
-ERIC
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Re: A Body SB to BB conversion
[Re: Nimbus426]
#1375323
01/26/13 12:46 PM
01/26/13 12:46 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 738
Columbus Ohio
mopfried
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 738
Columbus Ohio
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What else do you have planned for the A body? If you think u may ever move the springs inboard and or a mini tub buy any 8-3/4 rear and cut it down so you can run some meat it the rear to put that BB to the ground!! I have a 74 scamp with a 440. It's not tuned just right yet and it is a blast to drive! You may also wanna tie the frame rails. I did the DC k frame conversion with a spool mount k frame. It would be easy to do while you are swapping k frames if you can cut and weld. Elephant ears may give more room for headers... Don't know of any drawbacks from using them. Big block dart tech pages is a good source of info for a bb conversion.
Last edited by mopfried; 01/26/13 12:54 PM.
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Re: A Body SB to BB conversion
[Re: mopfried]
#1375324
01/26/13 02:16 PM
01/26/13 02:16 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 104
Arkansas
Nimbus426
OP
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OP
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 104
Arkansas
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When I found the car it was so straight I had no choice but to buy it. The only rust on the car was on the passenger side floor pan. And the car was complete. Because of that I don't want to do too much cutting or drilling for modification. So I might do subframe connectors and a big block conversion, but I don't want to mess up it's original metal too much. But I can't wait to drive it! I've heard about how much fun BB A Bodies are and I've wanted one since I was a kid. This is a picture of when I first bought it. It was parked back behind a truck shop in the gravel for years.
-ERIC
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Re: A Body SB to BB conversion
[Re: mopfried]
#1375326
01/26/13 09:49 PM
01/26/13 09:49 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 6,257
gulfport, ms, west mi
rowin4
master
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master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 6,257
gulfport, ms, west mi
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Elephant ears are a old school way to make a easy engine swap. When I first did the big block conversion to the barracuda I used elephant ears, as the car was built for a street / strip ride I found that the water pump gaskets needed replacing quite often as the ears would let the engine flex back and forth. Now we have motor plates , same basic thing but are connected in the center to help prevent engine movement . Never had a leak since. Look on Mancini web site, Get a AR Engineering { AndyF who's a member on here } motor plate. Best looking plate made. Get a lot of comments on it. Have one in both of my cars
it's ok to butt heads, just don't do it with a butthead
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Re: A Body SB to BB conversion
[Re: 70Duster440]
#1375328
01/27/13 09:38 PM
01/27/13 09:38 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 104
Arkansas
Nimbus426
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 104
Arkansas
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Those are some sweet rides. I'll probably run my 318 in the Dart for now. It's a '68 model with a 904 automatic. I've got a 4bbl intake I might eventually stick on top.
Gotta save up the cash for those BB upgrades. Thanks for all the advice!
-ERIC
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Re: A Body SB to BB conversion
[Re: Nimbus426]
#1375329
01/28/13 10:30 AM
01/28/13 10:30 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 632
MD-USA
Dodgeguy101
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 632
MD-USA
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I used the DC K-member when I did mine, but that was back in 1978 or so. I didn't know of any other way to do it. It works great, you can still find the motor mounts, spool type. Everything lines up, no issues. I used the old CPPA headers, a little tight around the trans, auto, but fit ok.
I did take the fan motor out before the swap, so cant comment on that, but it appears it would be tight.
As mentioned, make sure you put a good radiator in for the swap.
I did have to "adjust" the parting line or whatever it is called in the trans tunnel, hit the trans, but other than that, it is an easy swap.
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Re: A Body SB to BB conversion
[Re: Dodgeguy101]
#1375330
01/28/13 06:43 PM
01/28/13 06:43 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 104
Arkansas
Nimbus426
OP
member
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OP
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 104
Arkansas
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Here's another question. I found a '64 Dodge 330 parts car with an 8 3/4 rear. How hard would it be to make that rear fit in my Dart? I read that the early B Body rear ends are pretty close to the right size. The guy's asking $150 for it minus the gears.
-ERIC
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1964 was the last year for the tapered axles in the B bodys also, maybe the last year Mopar uesed them in production, I'm not sure though about the A Bodys and trucks 
