318's are new to me took the starter out and I look straight up at a 3/4" hole that is in the block. It looks like the oil pan was designed to go around the hole...it doesn't appear to have threads in it. Please tell me it's supposed to be there. And it's fine as it is. The Starter is not soaked in oil or anything so guess it doesn't run directly into the sump.

your fine

its there for a machining fixture I believe

might be how the blocks come down the assembly line to be assembeled

there should be a 5/8 bolt right next to the top starter bolt to hold the tranny bellhousing,should be one on the filter side also,have to remove filter to get to the bolt

there are some bolt bosses on the side of the block that are threded for a metal brace from engine to tranny...may or may not be there

Thanks. NO REALLY THANKS
This is a '74 Dart that my son is pretty deep into (body wise). While the car is in and out of the garage, the trani died, we knew it was sick when we bought the car. We got a freebie from my friend who pulled it out of his '68 Cuda. The swap is a bit painful. Not much room at all. The top bolts did not want to let go, but then again with the train of Extensions and 'U' joints, it wasn't optimum torquage.
The replacement is in minus the hookups...Starter is not in, Cooling lines,linkage and driveshaft is left. We were fighting the clock...he had to go to work so tomorrow we will finish.
Thanks for the Peace of mind!

no problem buddy

just did the tranny in the truck last week myself

I have a couple one piece long ext I use

helps to drop the tailshaft some to get at them,A-bodys are tight,I know my 68Dart was

make sure you get the throttle pressure rod adjusted out correctly

another good upgrade is going to the newer mini starters,they wiegh 6 lbs compared to the heavy one you be playing with tomorrow...have fun!

you might want to swap the speedo gear in the new tranny to keep the speedo right..if its original

the cuda should be the right shift lever also...but I allways try to keep them on the car when swapping trannys around...makes hook up easy-er and not mix and match linkage

good luck and holler if you need help

make sure you get that kickdown linkage adjusted right or you will be doing this again soon.

Finished up this morning. I knew to hang the tailshaft to get to the upper bolts but still a pain. The Kickdown linkage was identical so that was smooth. The Shift linkage between the two years was a bit different, not much, I transferred over the one different link in the setup to make it the same as the original Trani. Park on the column was Park on the trani when I got done. Tomorrow I will add the Fluid and check for leaks and shifting as it still sits high on Jack Stands.
My hands are worn out and sore but it's done.
Too bad they don't have access panels in the inner fender wells or maybe rubber plugs in the firewall for the upper trani bolts.
Thanks for clearing up the Hole in the Block mystery

may try those bolt from the top and back of engine with a wrench

some times I have done it that way and double up the wrenches to get more leverage

wait till you have to pull the oil pan with headers in that A-body

just putting headers on is a job

have fun with it..at least hes not working on a rice burner