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What overdrive trans fits a 440 ?
#1496991
09/06/13 10:43 AM
09/06/13 10:43 AM
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 53
Connnecticut
acesneights
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Connnecticut
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Would like OD behind my 440 in my RV.
What would work ?
1975 Dodge Travco 440 BB
1972 Dodge Travco 318 SB
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Re: What overdrive trans fits a 440 ?
[Re: acesneights]
#1496993
09/06/13 12:06 PM
09/06/13 12:06 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,067
Irving, TX
feets
Senior Management
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Senior Management
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Irving, TX
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Skip the Gear Vendors and get a 518.
I'm putting one behind the 440 in my Imperial. Ultrabell has a bellhousing that joins the two. It requires cutting the bellhousing back to the front pump and bolting the new one up.
The transmissions are tough and not much longer than a regular 727. The OD ratio is .69 which is a bit better than the .79 of the GV unit. It's a few thousand dollars cheaper too.
Some people talk about the ability to split gears with a GV but I haven't found anybody who really uses it that way. It's a bit cumbersome to shift it like that.
We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind.
- Stu Harmon
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Re: What overdrive trans fits a 440 ?
[Re: feets]
#1496994
09/06/13 12:54 PM
09/06/13 12:54 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,526
North Carolina
cjskotni
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Quote:
Skip the Gear Vendors and get a 518.
I'm putting one behind the 440 in my Imperial. Ultrabell has a bellhousing that joins the two. It requires cutting the bellhousing back to the front pump and bolting the new one up.
The transmissions are tough and not much longer than a regular 727. The OD ratio is .69 which is a bit better than the .79 of the GV unit. It's a few thousand dollars cheaper too.
Some people talk about the ability to split gears with a GV but I haven't found anybody who really uses it that way. It's a bit cumbersome to shift it like that.
That may be a possibility as well but more to it than the GV unit. Also would a motorhome have the shorty 727? Not sure if there would be more fitment involved or not. Plus you will need a fabricated tranny cross member Also you have to have a vacuum modulator for the OD/lockup but yes this can be done as well.
I was trying to suggest an easy route. Unless you can fabricate yourself on the cheap, I can see this route getting as expensive as GV unit. That and all the hassle of having to source the transmission, build to handle the 440, cut/replace the bell, fabricate the cross member, install/tune the OD/lockup vacuum control, and then new driveshaft....that's if it can fit in the RV without floor pan mods.
This is a valid route but I wouldn't agree that it's guaranteed cheaper that the GV. I would just think with an RV, you would want 'easy' as opposed to lots of custom fabrication work. 
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Re: What overdrive trans fits a 440 ?
[Re: cjskotni]
#1496995
09/06/13 12:56 PM
09/06/13 12:56 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,067
Irving, TX
feets
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Fitting the OD in a van body should not be much of a hassle.
I don't see why so many people are afraid of this swap. I don't see any challenges to it and I'll have under $1000 in the whole thing when it's done. That price includes the Ultra Bell, transmission, and rebuild.
We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind.
- Stu Harmon
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Re: What overdrive trans fits a 440 ?
[Re: president61]
#1496998
09/06/13 02:05 PM
09/06/13 02:05 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,376
dogdays
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The answer is split 50/50.
It all depends.
The GearVendors has been used for several years in motorhomes and it may well be possible to buy an existing setup. I've seen the overdrive units at swap meets in the $1000 range, the company will sell you the rest of the parts to make it work. If you're savvy enough to get ths far, getting the driveshaft modified is a piece of cake. Many longer wheelbase vehicles have two-piece driveshafts and those are very easy to shorten.
The Mopar overdrive automatic transmission is also an atractive option, cut off the bellhousing and swap on an aftermarket one. There are issues with the sttarter, but can be solved, thousands have.
Building the 518 to handle 440 power is no problem either, as the front if it is a 727.
BUT, the later auto trannys have been strengthened for use in front of Cummins and V10 engines, and I'd think of looking at those. Electronic controls sound daunting but I believe are easier to get right in the long run. Having a lockup converter would be nice, as well.
In conclusion, both ideas are attractive and both if done properly will cost about the same. I'd start looking at swap meets or CL and start talking to your favorite modern Mopar auto tranny shops to see which way the dice will land for you.
Also, Feets, thanks for keeping your eye on the ball about cost. That's important. I hope your transmission lasts a long time.
R.
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Re: What overdrive trans fits a 440 ?
[Re: feets]
#1496999
09/06/13 02:07 PM
09/06/13 02:07 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,526
North Carolina
cjskotni
pro stock
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pro stock
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Quote:
Fitting the OD in a van body should not be much of a hassle.
I don't see why so many people are afraid of this swap. I don't see any challenges to it and I'll have under $1000 in the whole thing when it's done. That price includes the Ultra Bell, transmission, and rebuild.
If I ever have some spare change this is the route I will go as I would want the steeper overdrive than the GV unit. However, if you can do all this for $1000, you have a hookup somewhere and/or you are doing the work yourself which is beyond what little skill I have.
Hell, I'll give you $1000 right now if you can give me a A518 built and ready to bolt on to a my 400 stroker in my 73 Charger!  I can't even find a rebuilt A518 from the correct year for under $1000 after shipping...and even with a junker, the rebuild kits are pricey and then the labor to have them done. I wish I had the skill to build this myself. :-(
At least now we have two options for the OP.
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Re: What overdrive trans fits a 440 ?
[Re: cjskotni]
#1497001
09/06/13 02:11 PM
09/06/13 02:11 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,847
Oakdale CT
gdonovan
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Quote:
I was trying to suggest an easy route. Unless you can fabricate yourself on the cheap, I can see this route getting as expensive as GV unit.
I'm no great shakes with a welder and I got it done on my Duster. As a former RV tech I can assure you there is far more room under an RV for a trans than my Duster.
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Re: What overdrive trans fits a 440 ?
[Re: feets]
#1497003
09/07/13 12:19 AM
09/07/13 12:19 AM
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 198
Chester, VA
tobnHisglory
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Now you've got me curious about the A518 swap. What is involved in cutting off the old bell housing for the ultra bell conversion? Where do you cut? Where do you drill? Is there a diagram for this anywhere?
-Reggie tobnHisglory2000@aol.com Former Mopars: 73 Charger - 440/727, 68 D200 Camper Special 383/727, 67 Satellite, 71 Superbee, 73 RoadRunner,2009 Ram Quad Cab Hemi 4x4 Current Mopars: 2005 Ram Quad Cab Hemi 4x4, 73 Cuda FE5 318 manual
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Re: What overdrive trans fits a 440 ?
[Re: Kern Dog]
#1497005
09/07/13 03:13 AM
09/07/13 03:13 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,668
Mi,U.S.A.
mike s
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Mi,U.S.A.
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There is another way.PTC trans has a kit that uses an 95 or older A-518.The 361-440 block will have to have the drv side lower bolt area cut off the block to clear room for the starter.No ultra bell only an adapter.They also have a very slick way to run the overdrive and the lockup.No on-off switch to reset at every stoplight.
Leave the gun.......take the Cannoli's....Mike
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Re: What overdrive trans fits a 440 ?
[Re: Turbo383]
#1497009
09/08/13 11:47 AM
09/08/13 11:47 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,067
Irving, TX
feets
Senior Management
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Irving, TX
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I've had one turbo coke the bearings but I think it was due to a poor drain line angle. Engine torque smacked the line on the frame rail and angled it upwards. Oil was slow to drain and cooked in the bearing housing.
We are brothers and sisters doing time on the planet for better or worse. I'll take the better, if you don't mind.
- Stu Harmon
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Re: What overdrive trans fits a 440 ?
[Re: John_Kunkel]
#1497010
09/08/13 12:01 PM
09/08/13 12:01 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,494
Western Colorado High Desert
moparmarks
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Quote:
A pic of the 518 with an Ultrabell housing installed.
A customer in Denver fit this setup into his 74 Charger. Turned out really sweet.
Tranny shop in Denver sells the rebuilt BB 518 for around 1200.00 IIRC. Ready to bolt in.
72 Satellite Sebring Plus 440, 72 Dart 5.9 4-spd, 68 Valiant, 73 W200, 78 D100 sb, 78 D200, 98 DAKOTA, . Moparmarks Parts & Restorations Desert Mopar Metal Grand Jct. CO 970-261-7039 http://moparmark.com/motormangj@gmail.com
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Re: What overdrive trans fits a 440 ?
[Re: Kern Dog]
#1497012
09/08/13 10:15 PM
09/08/13 10:15 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,494
Western Colorado High Desert
moparmarks
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Quote:
Isn't the 518 a bit if a tight fit in cars? Don't you have to cut metal out of the trans crossmember to clear the larger diameter tailshaft housing?
The 73-up B's have a way different x-member than all the others. It needed minor clearing. On most everything else, A, E and 72-down B, yes major cutting in needed. Trucks, vans and MH's should be pretty easy install.
72 Satellite Sebring Plus 440, 72 Dart 5.9 4-spd, 68 Valiant, 73 W200, 78 D100 sb, 78 D200, 98 DAKOTA, . Moparmarks Parts & Restorations Desert Mopar Metal Grand Jct. CO 970-261-7039 http://moparmark.com/motormangj@gmail.com
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Re: What overdrive trans fits a 440 ?
[Re: moparmarks]
#1497015
09/10/13 10:10 AM
09/10/13 10:10 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,526
North Carolina
cjskotni
pro stock
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North Carolina
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Quote:
The 73-up B's have a way different x-member than all the others. It needed minor clearing. On most everything else, A, E and 72-down B, yes major cutting in needed. Trucks, vans and MH's should be pretty easy install.
I would like to consider going this route on my 73 Charger but I would want to know what snags you run into. I am afraid of having to cut or modify anything where it couldn't be reversed. My car is numbers # engine and tranny and I would want the option to roll it back to original.
If I can get a tranny cross member/mount fabricated for my car, did you have to cut anything else? I know shorten the driveshaft but I would buy an extra for that.
What mods to the 74 Charger did you have to do?
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Re: What overdrive trans fits a 440 ?
[Re: cjskotni]
#1497016
09/17/13 09:26 PM
09/17/13 09:26 PM
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 53
Connnecticut
acesneights
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Thanks guys for the advice. GV is big bucks. I like the 518 idea but the only thing that would scare me is cutting the bellhousing. Everything else no problem. It is a Dodge M500 chassis. Loads of room to make anything fit. The only issue I could see is having to lose the Ebrake brake on the driveshaft which does not work anyway and was a joke when it did.Might as well nail an old shoe to a stick and call the the emergency brake shoe.
I'd like more info on the 518 bellhousing swap and cutting the 518. Everything else I can handle . I can have the driveshaft modded up the street and I am a welder.
1975 Dodge Travco 440 BB
1972 Dodge Travco 318 SB
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Re: What overdrive trans fits a 440 ?
[Re: it's Bob]
#1497018
09/17/13 10:32 PM
09/17/13 10:32 PM
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 53
Connnecticut
acesneights
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Awesome vid. Thanks, you are right. I could easily do that although I am having a hard time believing that the pump bolts can hold that power.
Bo Duke was awesome BTW. Still looks great.
So Ultrabell says you can only use an 11" TC. Will that work in n RV ?
Can I get a low stall speed in that size ? Also which flexplate would I want and do I want the diesel a518 or gasser ? IS there a difference ? I would assume there is.
Last edited by acesneights; 09/17/13 10:34 PM.
1975 Dodge Travco 440 BB
1972 Dodge Travco 318 SB
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Re: What overdrive trans fits a 440 ?
[Re: acesneights]
#1497019
09/17/13 10:59 PM
09/17/13 10:59 PM
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 53
Connnecticut
acesneights
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Also I am not well schooled on 440's. Being that mine is an RV do I have a steel or cast crank ? How can I tell and what does that mean with respect to flexplate and TC and balance ?
1975 Dodge Travco 440 BB
1972 Dodge Travco 318 SB
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Re: What overdrive trans fits a 440 ?
[Re: acesneights]
#1497020
09/18/13 12:27 PM
09/18/13 12:27 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 350
Houston
it's Bob
enthusiast
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Houston
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Quote:
Awesome vid. Thanks, you are right. I could easily do that although I am having a hard time believing that the pump bolts can hold that power.
Bo Duke was awesome BTW. Still looks great.
So Ultrabell says you can only use an 11" TC. Will that work in n RV ?
Can I get a low stall speed in that size ? Also which flexplate would I want and do I want the diesel a518 or gasser ? IS there a difference ? I would assume there is.
Power, well it works for the drag racing guys. I would hazard to guess that they are putting down some serious HP/torque. When you cut off the factory bell you will be surprised at how thin the Al is in places. And how thick the Al is on the Ultrabell...which leads to this..
The UB is a very thick Al casting. It has to be to get the SFI burst rating for the TC and the other parts that might try to come flying out in the event of a failure. As such you can, with time and some effort clearance the inside of the bell to accept a 12" converter if that really is the way you want to go. You would need to remove a bit more than 1/2" of metal all the way around the inside for several inches in. Lots of work/time. UB will tell you that you might need to grind the starter pocket area as well to make some factory style starter noses fit as well.
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