Question about a 79 chry. 360 motor and trans.

[barebones]

I have a 79 chrysler 360 in my 55 Dodge. For a trans I have the stock 727 auto. It runs great but the problem is it is a 3 speed with the lock up converter. This was an early version of overdrive. I am looking for a better highway trans at least a 4 speed with overdrive. Does chrysler make a trans that will bolt up to the 360 or would it be wise for me to invest in an adapter and go with a chevy or ford trans. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Bob

[barebones]

I have heard the newer ones will bolt up but I also heard they cost about 1500 to rebuild and are about a grand to acquire. I don't know if its true.

Bob

[shifts]

Barebones, An A518 is nothing more than a 727 overdrive, while a A500 is a 904 overdrive. If you are gonna go this route, be sure to get a pre96 unit as the later ones use a computer to control governor pressure. This tranny is a bolt up to a 360 & is a very sensible swap. The factory calls the A518 a 46RH & the A500 a 42RH. DAVE

[4gotn1]

I believe the 518A is the one that will bolt up from any V8 pickup. They sell a kit for the electronic part. Check out a Mopar mag like Mopar Action or Mopar Muscle. Watch out though, I believe that year 360 is externally balanced with the harmonic balancer and the torque converter. You'll have to verify.

[shifts]

Forgot to mention that they both have a lock up convertor too. DAVE

[shifts]

If you use a pre96, you dont need any expensive electronic controls. 4gotn1 is correct on the balance issue tho. Should be able to determine that by looking at your old convertor tho. We have done this swap many times w/ no problems. DAVE

[tragic59]

So how much can a guy expect to pay for the A518? And which years and models did they come in? Were they only in trucks, or did they come in passenger cars as well???

[shifts]

Around here we get about $1350.00-$1450.00 for a complete rebuild on a A518. Core charges are usually around $300.00. DAVE

[barebones]

Thanks I appreciate the info. Whats the deal on getting the lock up convertor to work on the 79 trans. I have heard that I need to run some power to the trans and I have also heard that it should automatically engage. I definately don't feel or hear and overdrive engaging.

bob

[RileyRacing]

You won't feel it, because it technically isn't "overdrive". EDIT- The 727 is still a THREE speed transmission. I don't know all the voodoo of it, but I know it has something to do with emissions... The A518 and variants are the "overdrive tranny's"

Shifts will prolly step up with the real answer! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Jay

[el Scotto]

They are a 4 gear, I thought, with a 0.63 fourth gear. It even has the same external shifter point thing, the fourth OD gear is engaged instead of the 1:1 third when the electrical thingy is switched on..... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

HOT ROD magazine conversion (http://www.hotrod.com/howto/43323/)

A518 eBay listing for $850 + $350 core charge.... (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33727&item=2472239 838&rd=1)

[PrimerDust318]

They were only used in Trucks and Vans. Toward the last years of Mopar RWD Cars there were other variants of the 904, the 998 and 999 that had lockup, different gearing, etc. EDIT: None of the passenger car variants of the TorqueFlite Auto were O/D.

Wait for a Half-Off weekend at Pick-N-Pull...They've finally started showing up at yards around here. While you're out there hunt for some 360 heads of '88-'91 vintage with the casting # ending in 308. Revised ports in them, but they look like any other Mopar LA head from '64-'91 from the outside.

Another option would be a 3+1 Manual that Ma Mopar used in Aspens, Volares, Dusters, Valiants, Trucks, etc. They have a crazy first gear, though...And the 3rd gear is flipped with the OD gear in the shift pattern. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[PrimerDust318]

[ QUOTE ]
I have heard the newer ones will bolt up but I also heard they cost about 1500 to rebuild and are about a grand to acquire. I don't know if its true.

Bob

[/ QUOTE ]

That's if you buy one new from Mopar Performance, probably, or a cheap-0 remanufacture. If you have a local tranny shop that likes you you'll probably find a better deal.

Someone on MoParts.com was talking about a shop who does performance builds on those, but I don't remember who. Pricing was probably similar to a GearVendors O/D unit.

[SKR8PN]

The A-518 WILL bolt up to your 360.Just be sure you get a FLYWHEEL,that is an A-518,lockup,and for a NON-MAGNUM,360 engine. All 360's are externally balanced,BUT,the MAGNUM takes a little bit different weight,on the flywheel,to balance it. Different WEIGHT from the EARLY 360's.http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
They ALSO changed the damn flywheel-to-torque convertor bolt pattern between the MAGNUM and the EARLY 360's.
THAT is prolly going to be your problem..................
Just re-drill the bolt pattern on YOUR flywheel..........

[Crease]

Im running a 79' 360 with a 904 and the rear end that came out of the Cordoba. It's not lightening fast off the line, but it's reeeeaaaal comfortable on the highway.

[shifts]

You dont need to change the flex plate. What I am trying to tell you is that you can take the existing weight or weights off your original convertor & reweld them to the new one. 518s convertors come w/ 2 bolt patterns (90degree pattern & the old staggered pattern).As a matter of fact if you have a 727 lockup now, your old convertor will work in a 518. Believe me, we have done this many times. As far as the lockup on your 79 tranny, there are no electronics needed.It locks up hydraulicaly & lockup speed can be tailored by simply changing a small spring in the valve body. DAVE

[barebones]

Ok I hate to sound like an idiot. I understand now that with the a518 you need an electrical switch to engage the overdrive solenoid and "kick" it into overdrive. Now on my 79' 727 does the same principle apply to the lock up convertor?Thanks for all the help. I may not have the cash to get to this this summer unless I blow it up but the information is priceless.

Bob

[shifts]

barebones, You do have to use a On-Off switch to control overdrive. You also need to use a brake pedal activated switch to control lockup. However, an expensive aftermarket wiring kit is not needed, you can get the parts you need at any junkyard for a few bucks. When you get ready to do this, give me a call & I'll coach you through it. DAVE

[barebones]

I'm confused now is the lock out on my 727 controlled hydraulically or electronically.

Bob

[shifts]

Hydraulically. DAVE

[shifts]

Just to clear this up a little more. Your 727 lockup is hydraulically activated & the 518 is electronically activated. However, the convertor doesnt know the difference. The 727 lockup convertor interchanges w/ the 518. DAVE