big block van

Thinking about putting a 400-727 in my van.The 318 is getting tired.I have 3 400s to pick from.The van is a 1986 shorty any one here ever done this? I would think i need the truck mounts and pan.

Keep us updated.
Sounds like a cool build.
I would agree on the mounts and pan but do not assume,research.
Check on older models(70s).

I had a big block van it looked like the engine cover was wider as was the hole cut into the floor for it something you might want to check .

When the big block was offered in the vans they used different mounts than the trucks.

have access to a 1978 dodge van with a 440 complete. hasn't ran in 10-20 years.

Where in Ohio are you? I went to Diesel school out there back in 87-88 or as my kids say the dark ages.That 78 van for sale or parts for sale?

Yep, gotta be big block van stuff, and its a tight fit even then. Hard to beat the results though, I got better power, and better mpg with the 400 then I ever got out of a small block van. Gene

That's what i was thinking i had a 74-Newport years ago with a 400 and was getting 19 to 21 mpg stock.I will keep an eye out for b-block van parts.

There were many differences between a small block and a big block van. I saw a list once on another website. The hole in the floor for the engine is to small. The engine cover is to small. It seems like some parts on the engine were also different. (Front cover perhaps and ????) I can't recall all the details, but it was a LONG list!

It would be easier to install a 360 based stroker engine. If you went this route, magnum heads and a 518 overdrive transmission should make a nice combination.

I have a 5.2 in a 1994-van and 5.9 out of a 93 truck.Just think a 400 would get better mpg.There was one 1987 van running around years ago with a 383 in it may be able to track down the guy that put it in.I don't remember them having a problem with the stock dog house but i may be wrong that was years ago.

I've got a 77 B-200 with a 318.
I had a 74 Motor home with a 360 in it.
That motor home had a bigger dog house than the 318 77 did. I don't have the floor from it, but I still have the dog house.
Not sure what that means,
except there are a few choices when looking at the dog house.
you might want to check on the;
http://moparbvans.proboards.com/
web site as well.
Lots of good info there for vanners.

Thanks i will check it out.I have a 76 camper with a 360 also

Whether it was factory or not?

Back in me youth (mid '70s) a fella a few years older than us had a late '60s Dodge window van with a 340 3 on the tree.

It was a pretty quick and quite scary ride!

Like most things Mopar, between the late 60s models and about the restyle season of around 71-73, everything got bigger. That included the vans. A 72 B van is a lot bigger, and a lot more heavy then the old 60s vans were. 76-78 was the Van hay day, big motors, custom paint, custom interior, conversion vans, 4x4 versions, they were the first "adult toys". You had to install a 340 the 70s vans, they came with either a 318, or a 360, or you got a 383 (later a 400) or a 440. The big blocks hauled them around pretty good. Gene

There was never a 383 van from the factory. The 360 replaced the 383 and came out in 1971. 1971 trucks still used the 383 but vans didn't. The older A vans never had a big block.

I whole heartily agree with this

I had a 1975 American Clipper with a 440. The worst thing about them was the stock exhaust manifolds. I swapped them out with headers, THE best change I made on that thing! Not only did the stock manifolds crack but they got the floor and dog house super hot. All that changed with headers. It did seem like the dog house hole size was bigger on my motor home than it was in the old work van I used to have, but not positive it was.

. If it was in Washington and Blue with a white roof....

I'd say "That was my Dad " ... 👍

2wd VAN mounts, Van exhaust manifolds, truck or van oil pick up & oil pan, van dip stick tube & stick, probably a radiator, maybe wiring, or make your own. There's probably a bunch in the junkyard, if you find one with 70's stuff. I've accumulated a couple for projects that didn't get started yet. Motor homes share a couple of the parts you need. 76 to 78 bb van would have everything you would need.

Big block van had a unique 727 case and torque converter with timing marks.

I had a 1973 B200 , it came with a 318 ,Iinstalled a 68 383 in it . Big block motor mounts ,oil pan the dip stick threaded into the bottom driver side of pan, any big block 727 will work,but the van one has a hole mid-center on the upper part of the bell housing , so you can read the timing off the torque converter,you d not have to have a van converter,just mark the one you use ,BB truck headers work fine .I used Herman’s. The dog house got bigger in 1978, when there was a body style change. If you have any questions please let me know,I’ll be happy to jog my memory.