I know all you diehard blue oval guys will want to boil me in oil, but
I'm think about using an 87 Chrysler 318 and automatic transmission in my 48 F3 (Hey, at least it's not a SBC). I'll be using the Chrysler 'K' member suspension, so I thought the Chrysler engine would be not only something "different", but also may be an easier install since I'm using the front suspension and rear end from the same donor car. I have little experience with Mopar engines and transmissions. I figure I would have to use a distributor and carburetor from an older engine to eliminate the computer, but not sure what year would be appropriate. Am I opening a can of worms here? Any comments welcome.

 

In the other post you told me to put in a small block and now you want to put in a Chrysler? Sheesh!

Nathan

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 19-Oct-02 AT 10:21 AM (EST)]Hey Nathan,

I don't remember the post, but that was YOUR car were were talking about not MINE. HA! Jeez, can't a guy change his mind? Women do it all the time. I think it's time we got equal rights...besides, it's only in the thinking stage. I haven't decided on anything yet, just thinking...we are allowed to do that in this forum, right?

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 19-Oct-02 AT 10:21 AM (EST)]Oops..

 

I'm now thinking about putting in a small block Ford. About the Chrysler it depends on the front suspension. If it's a Volare I'd do it since you have the mounts but if it is something else I'd thing of something else. How would changing the distributer get rid of the computer? Wouldn't getting rid of the sensors be better? You would probally have to change the manifold so you would have a standard carb to deal with.

Nathan
Keep on Truckin!

 

I am using the Volare type suspension. I thought the timing was controlled by the computer in these cars, so my thought was to replace the distributor with one where I can set the timing myself. I'm not a Mopar expert, so I'm not sure. I do know that if you get rid of the sensors, the computer will try to compensate, so I don't think that's the answer. I'd like to use the 2bbl carburetor that's on it initially and change it and the manifold out for a 4bbl at a later date, but I don't know if it would run okay without the computer.

 

www.ford-trucks.com/charter.html

 

Oops, I didn't realize discussing the possibility of using a non-Ford engine in my 48 Ford pickup was against the rules. Guess I'll find another site to ask my questions....

 

Not against the rules, but it is frowned upon. Mainly because we don't want the site to end up being about non-Ford issues.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 25-Oct-02 AT 05:20 PM (EST)] Vern,

I understand where your coming from, everyone here thinks that putting a non-ford engine in your effie is terrible, yet they support the use of a volarie K-frame. Your doing it for the ease of the engine placement, and you already have the parts. I prefer the use of a Ford engine also. Unlike the others I'll tell you what I did to make it easy to adapt a Ford engine to your Effie with a Volarie K-frame. No-Limits has a mount set-up for both small and big block Ford engines on a Volarie clip, $48.00, and a Tech tape for the install of the K-Frame and mounts, $35.00. Check it out, then make your choice.

Jeff

 

Yeah, looks like a can of worms. pre '81 should work. I'll say no more.

 

Well, if it makes you blue oval diehards feel better, I just found out the 318 is junk anyway (water in oil), so I'm not considering the Chrysler engine any longer. Now my choices are either Ford or SBC (which I already have). I know not to even bother asking which or those would be the better choice in this forum. BTW, I visited a Mopar forum when I was considering my choice of Mopar power and the concensus regarding Mopar power was much friendlier. Some, like me, even thought it would be an interesting engine choice. Now, if I can just find a good Ford engine and transmission somewhere. Jeff, thanks for the suggestion on the motor mounts. In looking at John's article on the Volare setup, that left motor mount looks like a buggar to fabricate for a 460.

 

The 460 in a Volare' can be done. I have two friends from the St. Louis area that used them. Both trucks are magazine trucks and the installation was beautiful. In fact, one of them had the Chrysler box go bad during the cruise at the Dash to the Dells, went to parts store, got a new one, and was finished in an hour. I will say that neither one had headers though.

 

Vern

The Volare PS box causes a problem for any non-Chrysler motor. It's a Volare clip owners rite of passage. You'll probably cuss a bit. If you buy a "Volare mount kit", you'll feel certain that your daughter or grand daughter designed it and also wrote the instructions. We still laugh at work about the half a Saturday we spent getting it welded up. It was a pain. There were (and still are) a bunch of guys here willing to give you an assist all the way through it. It has been recommended to you more than once to buy the Volare video. The cost of the video is tiny fraction of your project cost and your truck might actually steer and ride right in the end. I believe I volunteered to loan you the video for the cost of shipping but you brushed it off (I'll apologize if it wasn't you but I am pretty sure it was).

The rules here aren't too tough to understand or abide by. Ken spent the cash, Ken makes the charter. If he decides tomorrow you can't discuss Volare and Camaro clips here, then I guess I go elsewhere for advice on that part of the project. Do you see that little thing under your screen name that says NON-member ??? That's actually Latin for it's free, so say thanks a little more and bitch a little less.

If you choose to install Ford power, you get all the help in the world right here. If you decide to use a belly button SBC. You can still get lots of help, just not here. What part of that can't everybody understand?

Vern, sorry you are taking the brunt of this. You certainly aren't the first guy to raise these issues. It's just getting a little stale listening to people cry cause the free beer aint quite cold enough. I expect you'll defend yourself and that's OK.

Regards,
'fenders

 

I see I'm going to be way out in the cold if I ever decide to use the 374 Packard Ive got in the trailer

Ive mixed emotions on putting a non Ford in; there are some real nostalgic swaps that deserve some sort of help but how/where do you draw the line?
Most of that info is nowhere to be found unless you have a large collection of magazines from the 50-60's era.

Im going to be doing an early Olds Rocket into a 46, luckily I (think) I remember most of the procedure.
A friend wants to drop a 331 Cad in his 55 and another wants to put a 354 hemi in a 56 F-500. No belly buttons or underpowered 302's there.