Thread: 318 will it fit in a 49 plymouth frame?

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Does any one know if a 318 V8 will fit in a 49 plymouth frame.

ANYTHING will fit in ANYTHING if you have a Sawzall, a good hand grinder, a cutting torch and a mig welder.

Originally posted by Road Agent
Use a TIG welder, it's better

I agree, but some of us old farts don't have the eye/hand coordination we once had.

The steering box is in the way, some fabrication will be needed.

So has any one actually done this? I have the 318 I am planning on putting a new mustang II front end on the car. I will move the steering box but my concern is the exhaust manifolds and weather there is enough room or not for the between the engine and the frame rails.

Yes it fits, but just barely. I just got my '50 2dr back from Harmons rod shop with a 318 and could send picutres. the original steering column fits in the bend around the stock dart mainifold. see the picture.

Looks like you're gonna generate a lot of noise and squeaking at the corner of the valve cover as the motor torques over and comes back.

I tried it years ago with the old wide 318 and the steering column was in the way. The new LA engine is narrower, and you're swapping the front end anyway, so the steering shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks for all of the advise. As usual plans change. I did not have the funds to swap the front end. So I have purchased motor mounts from Plydo and have sucesfully install the motor. It reguired some forewall changes and I will need to make some changes to the inner fender well to make room since the engine is off set because of the sterring.

you offset the engine to the left?

cool. That'll even out the weight distribution when you are driving solo.

Did you create any undesired U-joint angle at the differential?

All MoPar V8's were offset in the muscelcar years.
As was suggested, you can fit anything into anything. I put a 392 Hemi in a 48 DeSoto, and there was no more room there than in a 49 Plymouth.

Jack

No there is no Bias. The parts that Plydo supplied for the motor mounts and the tranny Crossmember worked great.

Any one have any connections on where to get a decent deal on engine parts. I need to get a new ignition system and I would like to dress the engine out with some nice crome parts. I also need the Flexplate and ring gear as wel as a tourque converter.

All these things are so expensive. I don't have to tell any of you that though. My wife and I just had our first child so funds are a bit tight.

well pretty much!,if i could only lay my hands on a 392!

you got any pics of what you got done?

Here are a few of my 340 swap into a 48 plym coupe. I cut the complete firewall out and moved back. works well now

Bryan