Do big block a-bodies use a different center link than slant sixes? I had planned on using the original center link from my car (69 Dart which was a six cylinder car) on my big block swap but I'm not sure now if it will work or if I need a different one.

I know, at one point, that V8 A bodies used a dropped center link and slant A bodies did not. At some point they commonized on the V8 one, not sure when that happened though. I want to say it was in 73, because when I swapped a 360 into my 72 Dart to replace the slant I believe I changed out the center link as well, but that was in 93, so I might be misremembering.

So I went digging into the parts manuals, 1966 is th last year that my manuals call out a different center link for a 6 or and 8, so you should be good.

Thanks for that. The one I have just didn't look like it would fit right. That being said, it looks like there could be a problem with the pitman arm hitting one or two of the header tubes. I haven't tightened the pitman arm all the way on to the steering box because of the center link question but just eyeballing it, it looks like if the pitman arm is tightened all the way, it may hit the headers when turning. Putting this car back together with a big block has been nothing short of a nightmare. Wish I would have went with a 340.

The pitman arm location is not different V8 to /6 as far as I know.

the visual difference between the two is that the /6 center link is pretty much straight across and the V8 one has a real noticeable dip to it. But again, that's 66 and earlier.

Oh, I think i remember why I changed my center link, I went with a 73 and up style K member to put the 360 in and I just ran all the 73 and up parts to do it.

As for header clearance, I had a Duster with an RB runnuig Indy EZ heads, and TTI headers.
Pitman and idler arms did hit the headers @ full lock.
Rt side spark plugs were something of a chore, especially #6.
I didn't do the engine swap, but seems to me a low-deck would be a more friendly fit.
Photos are after I cleaned things up, in case a reference is needed.

It is a low deck (stroked 400) that I installed. Seems to be decent clearance around the motor up top. Just running into issues below. The center link I have has the drop in it so I guess I should be good with that. This pitman arm thing has me concerned though. I believe all the 72 and back power steering boxes are the same but correct me if I am wrong. I installed the original PS box that was with the slant six assuming it would be the same as a PS box on a big block car. When I push the pitman arm on the steering box shaft by hand as far as it will go without tightening it with a wrench, there is only about half an inch or just a little more clearance between the pitman arm pivot and the header tubes. I haven't tried tightening it all the way yet as I don't want to have to try and get it off again if I have to get a different one. Not sure what my next step will be. I'm also having a problem getting the kickdown linkage installed. Everything is so tight in that area underneath that I can barely get my fingers in there to put the linkage in place. I wanted to hook all that up before I put the engine and trans. in the car but I didn't have the linkage at that point. Worked on that earlier this afternoon but got so fed up with it I had to quit for the day. As I said, I wish I would have went with a 340 instead of the big block.

Whose headers ?
I'm not aware of better pitman & idler arm options, in any case.
My deal had a Lokar kickdown.
Headers & exhaust were very close to the trans pan on mine, too.

Basically, it's 10 lbs in a 5 lb bag, but yeah, I preferred my SB Duster as far as maintenance & such.
Post a photo of the thing !

From what I'm seeing looking here and on FABO the 67-72 are the same regardless of the engine. In 73 they changed the design and those are also the same slant 6 or V8. No such thing as a V8 center link from 67 and up basically.

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthread...4053/center-link-differences-a-body.html

Years ago there was some discussion on here about guys selling V8 center links in the for sale section taking advantage of slant six owners doing V8 swaps thinking they needed the V8 center link.

TTI

Correct 67-72 and 73-76 no difference.

Only the 63-66 cars used a different link between /6 and V8 cars.

Been working on my steering linkage again today. Something just isn't right. With the center link attached to the pitman and idler arms, when I move the assembly to the left the center link near the idler arm is hitting the corner of the oil pan and I'm not moving it all the way to the left. The oil pan is a 187 and the center link/idler arm doesn't come close to going into the indented area of the oil pan. I tried flipping the link around and it's even worse so I believe I had it the right way the first time. If some one could tell me what is wrong or what I'm doing wrong I would appreciate it. The first pic is with the linkage centered. The second is moved to the right. The third is moved to the left where you can see it making contact with the oil pan which is also shown in the last pic close-up.

Couple of questions.

What K member are you using? The original 68 or maybe someone swapped it?

Can you get some good pictures of both the pitman and idler arm, just to make sure you have the right ones.

Maybe someone can comment on the proper centerlink needed for the K member you are using, I dunno the details enough to say if what you hae is the right one. Been a long time since I messed with later A bodies. I have a 65 in my garage.

The k-member is a Direct Connection big block spool mount. The steering linkage and power steering box are the originals that were on the car.

I forget the details of the DC k member, what is is based on? 73 and up K member? If so, maybe that's the issue?

Why use a 187 pan when the big block A-Body 893 is available for $200 through Vans Auto? Lots of variables when using mismatched parts, especially how the motor mounts fit...

I got the 187 because I was under the impression that it was one of the pans that worked with a BB conversion. I just looked at a pic of the 893 and I believe my steering linkage would hit it as well.

i have a 71 dart 440 indy cyl head topend 440 source 6 quart a body pan the idle are hits the side of pan at almost full turn the front suspension is out of 74 dart i have old cppa under chassis headers manual steering box the pitman arm and idle arm just clear the headers .had to ding them just a bit as for the pan i gonna get me a piece of rubber off of a tire and glue it to side of pan where the idle arm hits. i will take a look at my steering linkages tomorrow to see if they look like yours.

The center link will hit there without massaging the pan. I don't know how different the factory big block pan is, but it is different. BUT, if you use a '73-76 center link and associated idler and pitman arms you can run just about any passenger car pan. I have a B-body baffled pan (no notch) in my Barracuda with the 440. My car already had complete '73 suspension/steering parts.

I thought about using a later steering setup but it will be a nightmare getting the current steering box out and replacing it with the later box. Should have went with all the 73-up parts in the first place but I read several different threads that said it was no problem to use the earlier steering parts with the spool k-frame and 73-up brakes, control arms and spindles.

What about using the 73-76 A-body manual pitman? It’s small spline and the pitman stud points down.

Then get a new 73-76 idler and a used 73-76 centerlink.