B or E body 4 speed transmission into an A body??
#141713
10/26/08 03:52 PM
10/26/08 03:52 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,144
Arkansas
340727dart
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,144
Arkansas
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For a winter project I'm pondering pulling the 727 tranny and swapping a four speed into my '73 Dart Sport.
We all know A-body 4 speeds are hard to find and pricey when you do find one.
So, I've been wondering about expanding my search parameters and looking for a B- or E-body 4 speed.
I know the A-body tailshaft is shorter. But, what about the transmission crossmember? Can I use my A-body crossmember and adapt it to fit a B- or E-body transmission?
Since I need to modify the current transmission tunnel anyway, making a four speed hump to fit the shifter location for a B- or E-body transmission is no big deal.
Your life is not my fault.
My life is none of your business.
Speech is free only if you agree with those in control.
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Re: B or E body 4 speed transmission into an A body??
[Re: dgc333]
#141716
10/26/08 08:05 PM
10/26/08 08:05 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,543
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart
Rhinotruck
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Rhinotruck
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,543
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
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I had a B-Body Hemi 4-speed in my Duster in 1980. I had to relocate the mounting pad for the transmission mount approx. 3/4" further back. The shifter location had to change also, not an easy change no matter who you ask! I was a dumb you kid, and would not try it today with all I know. If I wanted to do it today, I would change the output shaft and tailhousing to an A-Body. I don't know why it is to hard for you to find an A-Body trans, I buy them all day long for $150-200?  You can always buy a rebuilt unit from Brewers or Passon... 
Last edited by Rhinodart; 10/26/08 08:05 PM.
The funny thing about science is that if you change one miniscule parameter you change the entire outcome to the way you want it.
JB Rhinehart, Realist
A-Body's RULE!
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Re: B or E body 4 speed transmission into an A body??
[Re: ScottSmith_Harms]
#141719
10/27/08 08:42 AM
10/27/08 08:42 AM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,396
Mass
dgc333
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,396
Mass
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Quote:
This pic shows the difference between them
But a 70-up B/E body tail shaft has two mounting locations and the one at the rear is the one you use when installing the tranny in an A-body.
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Re: B or E body 4 speed transmission into an A body??
[Re: Rhinodart]
#141720
10/27/08 08:53 AM
10/27/08 08:53 AM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,396
Mass
dgc333
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,396
Mass
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Quote:
I had a B-Body Hemi 4-speed in my Duster in 1980. I had to relocate the mounting pad for the transmission mount approx. 3/4" further back. The shifter location had to change also, not an easy change no matter who you ask! I was a dumb you kid, and would not try it today with all I know. If I wanted to do it today, I would change the output shaft and tailhousing to an A-Body. I don't know why it is to hard for you to find an A-Body trans, I buy them all day long for $150-200? You can always buy a rebuilt unit from Brewers or Passon...
A B/E body tranny makes this swap a snap. You use the mount at the rear of the tail shaft and locate the shifter forward to the stock location with an adapter plate.
When i was looking for a 4spd I couldn't find an A-body one for less than $400 and then would have had get a bellhousing, slip yoke and shifter. I wound up with the long tailshaft OD unit with the dual mounts from from an 81 pick-up. For $75 I got the tranny, bellhousing, flywheel, clutch, shifter (of course couldn't use the rods) and the slip yoke.
It really is hardly any more difficult to install than an A-body unit and if one comes along for a good price the mounting plate and drive shaft work should not scare you off.
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Re: B or E body 4 speed transmission into an A body??
[Re: dgc333]
#141721
10/27/08 10:07 AM
10/27/08 10:07 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 42,714
Spokane Washington
ScottSmith_Harms
Mr Wizzard
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Mr Wizzard
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 42,714
Spokane Washington
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Quote:
But a 70-up B/E body tail shaft has two mounting locations and the one at the rear is the one you use when installing the tranny in an A-body.
Yes I am aware of that, just showing how an A-body transmission looks side by side to a B-body unit, I don't have an E-body unit here right now or I would have included that one in the pic as well.
As far as the bracket on the B&E-body trans, good idea and I'm sure it would work fine. However, I don't like the idea of grinding on a nice factory part (the B-body mounting boss) and would't want to hammer on my floor hump or cross member for clearance either. My personal preferance would be to just get the right parts in the first place and convert a box like the one I posted the photi of above.
* Photoshopped a boss on in this pic so you can copare all 3
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Re: B or E body 4 speed transmission into an A body??
[Re: ScottSmith_Harms]
#141722
10/27/08 11:54 AM
10/27/08 11:54 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,005
U.S.S.A.
JohnRR
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,005
U.S.S.A.
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Quote:
Quote:
But a 70-up B/E body tail shaft has two mounting locations and the one at the rear is the one you use when installing the tranny in an A-body.
Yes I am aware of that, just showing how an A-body transmission looks side by side to a B-body unit, I don't have an E-body unit here right now or I would have included that one in the pic as well.
As far as the bracket on the B&E-body trans, good idea and I'm sure it would work fine. However, I don't like the idea of grinding on a nice factory part (the B-body mounting boss) and would't want to hammer on my floor hump or cross member for clearance either. My personal preferance would be to just get the right parts in the first place and convert a box like the one I posted the photi of above.
* Photoshopped a boss on in this pic so you can copare all 3
One thing that was not mentioned , I think , is the B-E tail has the trans mount relocated so having to mickey mouse the mount for use with the 66-69 B body tail is not required .
Otherwise I agree , buying the right trans is too easy  ...
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Re: B or E body 4 speed transmission into an A body??
[Re: dgc333]
#141725
10/27/08 08:06 PM
10/27/08 08:06 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 607
NY
old340dog
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 607
NY
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I got a price for a conversion swap from Brewers a while back. It was around $3,000. Included a rebuilt 833, bell housing, pedals, linkage, rods, hurst pistol grip shifter, 4 speed tunnel, carpet, z bar, pressure plate, clutch plate,throw out bearing, hardware and all nuts and bolts.Is that a little pricy or fair price?
old340dog
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Re: B or E body 4 speed transmission into an A body??
[Re: old340dog]
#141726
10/27/08 10:27 PM
10/27/08 10:27 PM
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,675
Mi.
G-Money1320
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,675
Mi.
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I cant believe so many questions on how to use different trannies in A-bodies lately. I listed a whole A-body 4 speed setup in the trans section and get 2 replies-1 from a guy that saw the pics and realized it was too much of a swap to pursue and 1 from for the lack of a better word arrogant person who knew what I was offered then offered $100 less and told me if I sold it to him I would have been done with the deal-yea right I can sell it seperatly for the extra $100. Glad you found the correct trans as it will be less hassle for you now for the install.
416 stroker from Nick at Compu-flow. 11.14 in full street trim. Seems like a new best every time out.
11.06 open headers----so far!!
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