Customs 1936 Chrysler Airstream Engine Conversion

I have a 1936 Chrysler Airstream 4 door. Before I go any further with my car, can I put in a newer 318 motor and automatic transmission in using the original frame?

 

Yes

 

Yes, with modifications.
The Airstream is a unibody car I believe. Probably going to need firewall and trans tunnel work, that 318 auto trans is a lot bigger then the original trans was. Gene

 

This 1936 Chrysler Airstream has a full frame under it that’s in pretty good shape. It has a floor board with trans tunnel and fire wall. I have all of the body mount bolts removed . Just wanted to see if I could put a newer motor such as a 318 small block or maybe a newer straight 6 that would fit inside the engine compartment and I can close the side panels. If not I’ll get rid of the car

 

Here is the current motor

 

I know a guy who put a 340 in a 36 Plymouth so it should be possible. A Chev 350 fits easier. The problem is steering interference, the engine compartment is made for a narrow six cylinder. The Chev engine starter and exhaust manifold are located slightly different, giving more room.

 

AirSTREAM has a frame, AirFLOW is unibody

 

With the starter being on the driver side of a 318/360 might pose a steering problem along with the exhaust.. Now Dodge did also have factory center dump manifolds also that may help?
Now the 318/360 is about 2 inches wider than a SBC..

 

I do commend you for trying to keep it all DODGE though

 

The A body (Dart, Valiant, etc) driver side manifold can help with steering/exhaust clearance. Still have to move the engine over a bit to the pass side, which doesn't hurt anything as long as you keep it straight in the frame. The engine was offset pretty far on the A bodies, after all.

 

It wont be a bolt up "plug and play" deal, Hot rodding isnt that sort of thing, there wont be a Kit for it. Things will need to be modified and fabricate stuff. If you don't want to get this far into it, its not for you.

 

If your thinking inline. A 300 Ford is a great engine.. a friend has one in a 52 Hudson Hornet.

 

If you're thinking an inline 6 take a look at an AMC/Jeep engine/trans combo. Fairly compact, decent power, and a lot of aftermarket support.

 

This is a Plymouth, the Chrysler should have at least as much room underhood.

 

The newer type mini starter helps (318 - 360)

 

There is even a smaller starter that works... Get one from a 2005-2008 Dodge Ram with a 5.7 and a MANUAL transmission (the upper one in the picture below). This is a coaxial (planetary) gear reduction design, not offset like the Chrysler and Nippondenso gear reduction ("Mini") starter designs. That's why the motor housing is directly in line with the starter drive axis, making the whole starter more compact.

 

MFG, did you end up keeping the car? I have a 36 Airstream and we put a slant six with an automatic in it. The rest is pretty much stock, unrestored.