42RH Swap: '80 Volare

[AJ/FormS]

Fixed to say:
A500s are 2.74-1.54-1.00, same as A999s and some A998s
A518s are 2.45-1.45-1.00, same as A727s, A904s ,and some A998s
BudW

Thx Bud

 

[AJ/FormS]

I had thought about doing this, more than a few times.

The only reason I'm not considering it is because the only thing connecting the bellhousing to the transmission case (as well as 500 HP/500 foot pounds of torque – or whatever it might actually be) is 6 (or 7, I forget) tiny screws that are ¼” in diameter.

I have twisted those front pump screw heads off before (it doesn't take much), during transmission overhauls - so I just don’t want that to be my “weak link”.
If there was a better way of attaching the bell to the case – then I would be driving one right now.

Also, I don't know of anyone personally using one - and in actuality, the 6 (or 7) tiny screws might be strong enough for my application – only I just don’t see how.
BudW

Well Bud, Ima thinking; You could figure out a way to weld a BB bell onto an od case. Not me tho. I can barely tie my shoelaces.
Besides; on the street, it's gonna spin tires at the time of theoretical maximum stress......
And I suppose a guy could always weld them together after final assembly, aluminum is relatively easy to cut apart later.

 

[slant6billy]

no neck snapping for this couple, I agree.
I'm assuming you have to adapt the size of the 'connecting rod' or whatever the term is for the rod that goes from the transmission to drive line? Oh Lord I should have done some reading so I'd sound like I know what I'm talking about...lol

This sounds like an interesting puzzle with potential for greatness when done. But its an awfully heavy part of the car and buried underneath. You'd really have to have a solid place to work on things and it would seem, a concentrated effort to stay organized with all the bits and pieces in play.

I bow to your persistence and knowledge as well as your courage to contemplate the project.

Actually, the transmission is the forward half of a 904 trans so the kick down rod will bolt right up and the shifter lickage too. The speedometer cable should reach, but a call to napa to get another. Since the rear gears are usually made more agressive like 410 or or my favorite 513, the speedometer gear needs changinging and that means another thread that has already been talked to. The plastic snap ring style cable on FMJ cars is limited on speedo gears, so go to a early mopar A body or E body speedo cable and aluminum cookie gear retainer housing.

 

[mchartier105]

Actually, the transmission is the forward half of a 904 trans so the kick down rod will bolt right up and the shifter lickage too. The speedometer cable should reach, but a call to napa to get another. Since the rear gears are usually made more agressive like 410 or or my favorite 513, the speedometer gear needs changinging and that means another thread that has already been talked to. The plastic snap ring style cable on FMJ cars is limited on speedo gears, so go to a early mopar A body or E body speedo cable and aluminum cookie gear retainer housing.

I should have included that the speedometer cable does not reach the new location (its in the overdrive housing on this transmission) I need to buy the 80' speedo cable, I'm using the GPS Speedo in my phone for the time being lol

 

[AJ/FormS]

I was thinking one time; if a guy figured out how to split-shift the A500, the ratios would be
2.74-1.89-1.54-1.06-1.00-.69od. This would make it effectively a 5-speed, on account of you would only use one of 1.06 or 1.00 . And I think I would go from 1.06 to .69 in one bite. So it would look like; 2.74-1.89-1.54-1.06-.69od and the splits would be .69-.81-.69-.65od. Versus the factory splits of; .56-.65-.69od
If you gear that for say 87@5800, in 1.06 ratio,and cam the engine accordingly, this would be 4.88s........ which the .69 od would down size, to 3.37s.
Ok then your roadspeeds on the shifts would be; 33-48-59-86
Hang-on. check out those shift speeds! Imagine your HO 360 whamming to 86mph in the 1/8th! Heck; imagine it whamming to 33! It's gonna need tubs and Caltracs, or some serious help.
Heck; imagine it as a 318!
_____________________________________________________________________
I ran 4.88s with an A833 once....with a 3.09 low.....for one weekend.That was enough for me.
It was geared for 32mph(in 3.09 first) at 6000rpm......but of course there was no way to tell when 32 mph came, cuz the tires were spinning the whole time.So I split it, and the tires kept on spinning, now geared for 40mph.....which came and went,so into second(1.91) it went. And the tires kept on a spinning, now geared for 52, which also came and went,still spinning, and so I split that. Now geared for 66, and you guessed it still spinning. So into the next gear it went, now geared for 90@6000. They say it was still hazing the tires thru the traps, at 93mph.Which makes sense cuz the tach was still at 7000,lol.It shouldabin at 6160,lol.
Long story short; I slipped it out about 4 car lengths, then let her have it. The tach was stuck on 7000 for the rest of the way. I thought for sure the clutch was shot. But, no, it was just 325/50-15 BFG-DRs, doing the BFG slip.

 

[mchartier105]

More pictures of the trans tunnel since unfortunately it had to come back down to fix a front seal leak.

 

[slant6billy]

I should have included that the speedometer cable does not reach the new location (its in the overdrive housing on this transmission) I need to buy the 80' speedo cable, I'm using the GPS Speedo in my phone for the time being lol

I'm using that 80 incher and it has a good amount of extra. I forgot how short the OE stuff is

 

[mchartier105]

Installed a 5 clutch drum and associated parts from my A999 while I had it down.

 

[Duke5A]

I had thought about doing this, more than a few times.

The only reason I'm not considering it is because the only thing connecting the bellhousing to the transmission case (as well as 500 HP/500 foot pounds of torque – or whatever it might actually be) is 6 (or 7, I forget) tiny screws that are ¼” in diameter.

I have twisted those front pump screw heads off before (it doesn't take much), during transmission overhauls - so I just don’t want that to be my “weak link”.
If there was a better way of attaching the bell to the case – then I would be driving one right now.

Also, I don't know of anyone personally using one - and in actuality, the 6 (or 7) tiny screws might be strong enough for my application – only I just don’t see how.
BudW

Well, no problems with mine so far behind a 512ci. Been in the car for a year and 1500 miles now. I run 4.10 gears with a Turbo Action 17809ST converter.

The original OD swap I did in the car was probably 15 years and I used a 42RH behind a 360. Kept eating bands so I put a 518 in and that solved it until the 360 got yanked for the big block. Losing OD would have been a deal buster though if I couldn't adapt the bell housing.

As far as tunnel modifications go I cut cross member completely out and replaced it with a section of box tube I formed to fit the tunnel. It pokes up above the floor a bit, but you can't tell with the carpet laying over it.

 

[BudW]

As far as tunnel modifications go I cut cross member completely out and replaced it with a section of box tube I formed to fit the tunnel. It pokes up above the floor a bit, but you can't tell with the carpet laying over it.

Very nice!
And it has 4.10’s to boot. It should kick you in the tosh every time you tap the gas.

I would like to see some pictures (during and/or after) if any are present (or were taken).
But- that really needs to be in another post (don’t need to hijack this post any more than what we’ve done).

I have two cars and two goals for each. Both will have identical engines – which are being assembled now. My ’86 Fifth will be automatic, A/C and so forth. Plans are to keep the wire hubcaps (but have wider tires/wheels). It has to be where wife could get in it and drive – without complaining.
For it I was going to build an A727 using some parts from a diesel 47RH/E to beef it up.
I might just have to modify a 47RH, instead.

The ’77 wagon will have its auto yanked out and a 5-speed (or 6-speed) installed.
Note: I highly prefer a manual transmission.
BudW

 

[Duke5A]

I did the tunnel modifications a long time ago and would have to crawl under the car to get photos. I'll take a few when I finally dig the car out of the garage for the season. To be honest though, if I were to do it again I would give some serious thought to copying what mchartier105 did - especially with the mount. The mount I made came out nice, but it's way over built and the weld with tunnel mod ain't that great. Out of position welding with a mig isn't something I excel at.

Manuals do sound like a lot of fun. One of these days I'll own another project vehicle I can do that swap on.