I am going to build a 64 Barracuda for someone. My first intent is to build a stroked 340/360 with 4 speed. However the thought of a late model Hemi has crossed my mind. In order for this to be a consideration financially it would need to be with stock/slightly modified K member and no excessive fabrication.This is a streetcar. Anyone been down this road ?

I think you will need to do some measuring. If I remember the early A bodies are pretty narrow in the engine compartment.

Start reading...

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=63294

Well, looks like it has been done with Alterkation front end ! I will not go that route. If I wanted to start with a coil spring front end, I would just tell the guy to buy a Chevrolet, and put an LS motor in it. I reckon to keep it all Mopar, I will just build the stroker LA engine for it.

There was a board member who had connections with Chrysler. What he posted a few years ago is anyplace you can put a smallblock you can put a Hemi. No mention of need for different front end.

The Hemi has many advantages, one being it's 100 lb lighter than a stock 360. The power upside advantage is huge. Rods and pistons are much lighter so the engine will feel freer.

I am guessing that you may have to get creative in choosing exhaust manifolds. Also, the oil pan will require some digging to find the right configuration, unless you luck out with your engine purchase.

Still IMHO starting from Ground Zero the most sensible thing to do is go GIII Hemi.

R.

I tried, no luck without cutting/fabricating. All the ex manifolds I tried were going to dump it right into the steering shaft or needed the inner fender cut out or... The best fit I could find on the pass side was a durango manifold and it would need the bumps around the control are bushings smashed in or cut out. Could not find any headers.

Oil pan would have been easy, the regular a body conversion pans out there should have fit.

I was going to run manual steering and no AC or power brakes so did not even try them.

For me the deal breaker was the exhaust, no way to do it without cutting.

Did some rough measuring a few years back on a 65 Cuda with this very swap in mind. As HRD says, clearances around the UCA inner pivot is tight.

Tight enough that I dropped the idea.

That is what I wanted to know guys I have a buddy that could make it fit with whatever chassis work it would take. I just do not want to go to the trouble and expense. I can build a car that the customer will love and enjoy, with a traditional smallblock within his budget. Thank You !

It's been done, aftermarket parts are available to do the swap correctly. The first thing you need to purchase is a wheel barrow to haul all the cash needed to do it.

NO wheelbarrows of cash here ! I will just go with the stroker smallblock.