72 Dodge Tradesman Slant 6 Trans Swap question

So its been FOREVER since ive logged in...life happened and well thats another story for another day. Anyway. Think the last time I was am active member,I had just acquired my 72 Dodge Tradesman Van.Its the short one...I believe that would be the 108 inch wheelbase. Its powered by a Slant 6 with a 727 TF trans. The 727 trans is toast but ive found a 904 I can get for free. Its my understanding the 904 trans is gonna be a little shorter,requiring me to source a longer driveshaft. The rearend in the van is an 8.25. What donor vehicles do I need to look at for a driveshaft when i go to install the 904? Or van i get away with just swapping a longer yoke up front on the driveshaft I have? If thats the case...what vehicle does everyone recommend I seek as a donor for that yoke?

Pretty sure there is a 4" difference between the two. The Yoke is also different between the 727 and 904 based transmissions.

Is there the adapter between the trans and engine? Usually about 1"? That would have to be added to the measure. Measure what you have, from the block to tailshaft, and then measure a 904 the same way. Then figure it out and go shopping.

You are going to need a driveshaft from a 108" wheel base van with a 904 and an 8.25, or have one made.

OK, its question time. Is the 727 a standard length? Dodge made shorter 727s for some trucks and vans. Do you have the 904 handy?

You need to measure the length of both transmissions from the block surface of the bell to the rear seal mounting lip and compare the measurements. I thought a standard 727 was 3" longer then the standard 904.

Whatever the difference is, you need a driveshaft that much longer then the one you have, u-joint center to u-joint center, with the 904 front yoke.

Mopar made a lot of different combinations of trans/rear end/wheel base differences, so there are a lot of driveshaft lengths to choose from. I suspect there were several cars/truck combinations with the driveshaft length you need.

There are very few yards with a lot of old Mopars laying in them, but may still have a pile of driveshafts laying around. It might be much easier to locate av particular driveshaft length then a drive shaft from a particular car, truck, wheelbase, trans & rear end combo. At least it would be here. I have my own driveshaft collection, all I can tell you is they came out of Mopars, a length and u-joint size I can measure. Gene

The adapter was only used prior to '69, in '69 the /6 got its own dedicated 727 case.

The 904 is 3.8" shorter than the long-shaft 727.

I dont have the 904 handy at the moment. Its still on the motor in the bed of a friends truck.As far as the 727 goes,I would have to go to my storage to get measurements. I too have read that the 727 is longer than the 904,thats why i posted the original question. The guy im getting the 904 from seems to think the only difference between the trannys is the internals and the 727 being more beefy(heavy duty).Im not gonna argue...if hes willing to give me this trans and its still useable,im gonna take it. I have been out of the loop as of late but what would be a good ball park be on a reasonable cost to have my 727 rebuilt.I do the R&R of the trans.Would I be better off supplying the rebuild kit?

If its a slant 6 727, it will only bolt up to the slant 6. The older 727s were small block transmissions adapted to fit the slant 6, but the newer ones only have the slant 6 bell housing and bolt pattern. If you don't have a slant 6, that trans isn't going to do much for you. Gene

The Tradesman van im speaking of is powered a slant 6...Im almost certain i recall based on the pan shape that the trans that i pulled from it is a 727...i might have to go back to verify. The numbers on the spot above the pan on the drivers side of the trans should be the nail in the coffin.What specific numbers should i be looking for when i decode it?

A '72 truck 727 for the /6 would have one of these numbers:

3496937, 3496941 or 3633552. The 937 is most likely in a van.

Numbers im reading are PK3640081 4081 6764

Im under the impression this potentially may not be the original tranny for the vehicle.But based on how the pan juts out near the dipstick tube im about certain its a slanty 727 I pulled out of this van...

Having to change this may negate any savings with the free trans,plus it may not be good either.THe van transmissions are as noted sometimes shorter and also have a hole in the bellhousing for checking ignition timing(The torque converter is marked).

That's a '73 model year truck 727 built on September 29, 1972.

If that's a slant 6 trans you have a winner.
I was surprised to find a slant six 727 in my 78 pick up many years ago.
It's still sitting in the shed.
My step son rebuilt it in trade school.
To bad your so far away as I have no use for it at the moment...