A Few Issues With My 518 Conversion??

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switchblade02

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Ok, I just finished up the the 727 to 518 conversion, on my 73 340 duster, and I just had a couple of issues. When driving, it feels like their is a vibration. I am running a TCI part# 141250 converter, with a B&M balanced flex plate, since my 340 has a cast crank. Also, I had the drive shaft cut, balanced, and new u joint put in correctly, at a drive shaft shop. So, I don't know what the problem could be. The other problem it has is that its leaking lots of fluid from the dipstick. I am using the dipstick off my 727. Is the dipstick for the 518 different or something? I checked the rubber seal, and it still looks fine, but I will try replacing it still, to see if that fixes it, that's if theirs no difference between the 727 and 518. And the last issue it has is
with the shifting. When I manually shift it, it works like a dream, but it doest like to shift into second or higher automatically, unless I let off the gas and then step on it again. Could it be that the kickdown cable is out of adjustment? If so, how would I adjust it? Besides these few issues, I am loving it. It's definitely a big difference from the 727. Thanks in advance for the help.
 
I'm certainly no expert on transmission swaps etc. But.. as far as your trans not wanting to shift gears without letting off the throttle, unless you've had a shift kit installed in it, your kickdown just needs adjusting.For the vibration, if it gets worse the higher the engine rpms get, then it could be several things. Might be the flywheel/flexplate or even the torque converter, but also the trans mount. If it gets worse with higher speeds, I'd have the driveshaft looked at again. If it stays the same regardless of speed or RPM, then you may have a problem with the torque converter.
 
Does it vibrate only while driving or when you bring the rpms up while parked?
With all the changes made to your floor and trans mount, The first thing I would check is driveshaft/pinion angle.

The dipstick from your 727 will work just fine. perhaps a little rtv on the o-ring next time.
 
Ok, I thanks for the replies. I got the leak fixed with a little silicone (thanks for the tip). As for the vibration, I think it might be something in the front end. I know my ball joints are shot, so I am going to take the car to the shop to have them check everything out. Hopefully it's not anything serious. As for the shifting, I think I got it fixed now, I adjusted the kickdown cable a little more, and it now seems to shift like it should. I'll post an update on the vibration, after I get everything checked out. 8)
 
Hey Switch,
I'd be very interested in any details you might be able to provide me on this swap. I'm looking to make the same upgrade some time soon and I want to know what to watch out for. Did you have to cut the floor at all, or just the cross member? What exactly did you do to the cross member? What type of trans mount did you use?
 
I have converted my car to a 518. Initially the dipstick leaked because it wasn't at the right angle. I added about 1.5" of length to the mounting ear and now it's perfect.

autopar - PM me your email and I can send you some MS Word documents I have on the topic.

My OD is not wired yet because I still have the stock 2.45 gears, but those are getting changed soon.
 
autopar3000 said:
Hey Switch,
I'd be very interested in any details you might be able to provide me on this swap. I'm looking to make the same upgrade some time soon and I want to know what to watch out for. Did you have to cut the floor at all, or just the cross member? What exactly did you do to the cross member? What type of trans mount did you use?
Click to expand...

Here is a link to my post of my progress during the install. I will have to take some more pictures, now that its all done.


http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=41875

Here is an sweet post from charger70 with very good pictures of crossmember reinforcement.

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/...ad.php?t=41302
 
autopar3000 said:
Hey Switch,
I'd be very interested in any details you might be able to provide me on this swap. I'm looking to make the same upgrade some time soon and I want to know what to watch out for. Did you have to cut the floor at all, or just the cross member? What exactly did you do to the cross member? What type of trans mount did you use?
Click to expand...

I'd like to see pics of this swap. The only other option to get OD in an A body seems to be using a GM 4L60, which is a compromise I'd rather not make, for a number of reasons.
 
Hey Max340 I will take some more pictures as soon as I get the change. Also another option to get overdrive, besides going with a GM is gearvendors. It just bolts up to your 727. I didn't know if you knew about that already or not, since you didn't mention it.
 
I'm kinda torn. I've got to have OD with the gears I'm planning and the distances here. But I can't decide between the 518 trans or gearvender.

Ialready have a GV od unit off my F250, but to swap it to a 727 will be about 900.00. Or I can sell it for 1200.00 plus, buy a trans from the yard, build it up and go that way. Suppose I could sell the 727 too.

How hard was the swap? Big pain in the butt? Or normal swap crap?
 
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