Anyone Done Or Seen A Chrysler/dodge 318/360 Swap

The title says it all pretty much...Our 74CJ5 is about to get some "refreshing" and I got to thinking about the engine/trans.

I have a mid 80's Roller cam 40K original mile Dodge 318/NP435 combination sitting in a barn that could easily be donated to this project. The Hyd clutch/granny low would make for decent trail performance. Looks like AA has an adapter that allows a short combo, so driveline length would remain similar to the 258/T18 combo now. The Dodge A body radiators fit in a CJ as I understand it quite well.

Thoughts were it is a fairly compact package, not real heavy. Lends it's self easily to power steering, ease of cooling, decent power/torque, and possibly some economy. While still staying stone simple and reliable.

thoughts/experiences/ideas....please share.

 

Member 1947cj2a put a 5.9 magnum in a tj - its in the builds and fabricators forum. The 318/np435 sounds like a nice setup. I would think the 258/t18 would be pretty nice too though.

 

It's original to the Jeep so the T18 should be 4:1 first gear. The thought that occurred to me is selling the 258/T18/20 combo complete. It's a turn key driver ATM, so it would make someone a fine power train. It's low mile and runs like a swiss watch honestly. Already owning the 318/435 combo I am sure I could pull off the swap and not invest a lot. The lure of a deeper 1st gear, larger clutch, the simplicity of a power steering conversion with the V8, and the little extra HP wouldn't hurt on the highway.

 

Bud put a 318 in his heap..

 

Dodge Dakotas had this engine with an ax15. Find one of those bellhousongs and you got the making of a swap... limited to a CJ6 I was gather..

I could have sworn i have one tucked away somewhere. Can’t seem to recall

 

The 258 / CR T-18 combo was really popular with customers back in the '70s. If you aren't set on the 318, you could convert to a 4.0L HO and wide ratio T-18 rather easily. The 4.27 axles were good with this combo too.

I'd leave it alone and wheel it. Maybe add Tera gears and convert to 4.27s if it's not already. TrueTrak in the rear axle and a selectable in the front.

The same T-18 was used in the J-trucks and Wagoneers with the 258 ... same bell, same adapter, same overall length, but wide ratio. These transmissions are pretty scarce, but you could install a Ford T-18 using mainshaft and adapter from the CR transmission and a T-150/T-176 bell. That transmission ywould be about an inch shorter than the existing CR T-18, but would not require a big investment - no adapter kit needed. You'd need to do some drilling and tapping to make the adapter fit the Ford case (according to Nick).

The 4.0L HO is an easy swap, no adapters required, and will give you the excellent Chryco-Bosch multiport fuel injection. The crank from your 258 could be used to make a 4.6L stroker engine from the 4.0L.

Each of these changes could be done on its own.

 

Timgr...much of what you mentioned has been considered. And it's being tossed around between my wife and I when chance allows. I was hoping maybe someone here on this board had done something similar. If not, well wouldn't be the first time I stepped outside the box LoL

 

I don't think there's anything wrong with the 318 - I recall that the old Novak page about Jeep conversions had a sentence or two about the Chrysler small blocks that was not negative IIRC. Is the pan sump to the front or back? Front sump could be a problem. Width of a small block Dodge should not be excessive, but you could easily measure since you have the engine on hand. Overall length too. You might look at the Wagoneer sites too, for examples of a Dodge small block swap.

 

Long gone and no pics but a friend had a Chrysler 360 in his later cj5 paired to a t150? 3 speed. Street legal and ran EC4WDA events. Scalded dog. You've got plenty of room under that intermediate hood go for it. Pics please

 

The 318 in question is out of my wife's Ramcharger. When we swapped the Ramcharger to a Cummins/Nv4500 combo the engine got pickled and set in the shed. It's low mileage, roller cam (good for today's oils) and other than a going over, it should run fine. It also has the desirable "302" casting heads as well.
Since it's out of a 4x4 it also has a rear sump oil pan. It still has the Np435 bolted to it, and a Hyd clutch bell housing/clutch.

I would think (it's never this simple) that I could purchase a Novak or AA adapter from the 435 to the Dana 20 and toss it in. The 318 loaded is about 525lbs. So actually lighter than the AMC 304 as an example. I figure if I tossed a Aluminum intake on it and block hugger headers, I'd be lighter than the 6cyl it's replacing.

If I could find a reasonably priced Dana 300 or ponied up for an Atlas, I'd have crawl ratio and then some, and still enough HP/RPM to utilize the Terra tires when in sand/snow. This would allow some 3.73 gears or even 3.54's and make hyw driving totally sensible. I believe the present crawl ratio with the T18/20/4.27's is 34.16. The Np435/300/3.54 is 62.04 That's a significant increase in crawl ratio with a much more hyw friendly final. Added bonus, the 3.54 gear sets would be stronger as well. Honestly, can't even see a need for a Atlas, not for what this Jeep will be wheeled in.

Along with the swap I'd get a 90amp alternator, PS pump, and provisions for a simple York on board air compressor with factory brackets...Unless I have missed something I think I have talked myself into it. LoL

Any critique is sure welcomed, I believe strongly in group thinking on such things.

 

im doing this swap now,the 435 to 20,the novak adaptor is a touch shorter than the aa one

 

Sterlclan.... That's good info to know ty. I was just cruising their web page and got to noticing now that you mention it, that Novaks adapter is a bit shorter for both the 435 to 20 and to the 300 case as well.

Last night I called a old friend that bought my 1980 CJ5 I built many years ago, and then parted out. Amazingly after all these years, he still had the transfer case. So I now have a Dana 300 short tail version from a 80 CJ5 for $100. I just have to either have it shipped, or go to Wisconsin and retrieve it LoL

So at this point I have the engine/trans/case. I am running out of reasons to not have this combo assembled and ready to rock on the floor and then make it all happen.

Time for a build thread soon I guess

 

I'll be following along on this one. I have an NP435 with a 208 transfer case (if I recall) out of an '80s Ramcharger, and a buddy with a salvage yard has a 318 engine in a Dodge 1 ton (former County truck) that has only 22,000 miles on it. The factory adapter is long between the trans and t/c, but I am thinking about this for one of my Willys wagons, so length won't be a problem.
Yes, it seems there is no love for the 318, but it should be a reliable engine.
-Donny

 

Fastenal is pretty reasonable for shipping.
I've wondered why I don't hear of people putting 318's in JEEPs. "Bulletproof" is usually a word I hear when people refer to them. This will be interesting.

 

The old 318 is a darn good engine. I'd rather have that than a AMC V8. And having all the bits and pieces is always a plus.

 

Miss the sound of that starter.

The 318 i had in my powerwagon in HS would push that beast to 100mph, and drink the gogo juice the same. Was easy to burn 40gal running round the hills hunting back then.

 

The Magnum flavor of these engines are nice setups and really dirt cheap. I got a nice one for $200 the other day with accessories. They are also a couple inches shorter cuz the fan snout setup is different. With a low profile efan, a Magnum might even fit in an early CJ.

NP435 is a really nice option too.

I like these motors.