Re: Cutoff year for transmission swap? (also looking for engine/trans)

From: Walt@Walt-n-Ingrid.Com
Date: Wed Jun 07 2006 - 08:52:53 EDT


I think 95 was the last year for the RH. My 96 is an RE. It's also about the
same time they switched to ODBII. They've used lockup converters since the
late 80s.

Walt

In article
<060720060534.23376.4486657E0004FF7B00005B50219791280203010CD2079C080C03BF00000
1089D0A970A03D203@mchsi.com>, m.meyerhoff@mchsi.com writes:
>
>
> I think you're looking for any RH (H for hydralic) tranny, the later RE (E
for
> electronic) needed the computer to run.
>
> You're right about the overdrive selenoid. The same goes for the lockup
> prevention selenoid, but I don't know what year they started using lockup
> convertors.
>
> mm
>
>
> >
> >
> >
> > The short version:
> >
> > I'm thinking of swapping a late model smallblock transmission into
> > a '78 Dodge van. i.e. A518/46RH/46RE. I seem to recall that at some
> > point, the transmissions got too much electronics put in 'em to make
> > them viable for a swap into an older vehicle. My memory is bit fuzzy
> > here, but I think on the earlier transmissions, the only elecronics
> > required would be a momentary switch to turn overdrive on and off,
> > then I think maybe a later model also required a switch for the
> > lockup, and later than that, you basically need a computer to run the
> > thing. Could somebody in the know give me the low-down on this?
> >
> >
> >
> > The longer version:
> >
> > I don't know if the DML in general was aware of it or not, but
> > last year, I became the owner of fellow DML'er Bob Tom's custom '78
> > Dodge van. It spent the winter parked in the field out back next
> > to my trailer, and just a few days ago, I went down there to poke
> > around a bit, and patch up a slight leak in the roof vent. As I
> > was looking around I came to the re-realization that this is a pretty
> > cool vehicle which deserves to get back on the road. :-) I don't know
> > if it will work out or not, but I am hoping maybe I can get it ready
> > in time to take it to Carlisle next year. I fixed a couple of tires
> > on the '67 Coronet today so that they will hold air, and I stashed it
> > in the garage across the street in order to get the van inside the
> > shop so that I can get to work on it. (I was originally planning on
> > doing the Coronet first, but instead I'm going to cut my teeth on the
> > van. Partly because it needs less work, and partly because I plan to
> > spray the Coronet black and I'll need all the body work practice I can
> > get between now and then!) :-) Back to the van, it does need some
> > body work in places, and I plan to do a complete re-paint, but the
> > interior I will be leaving as-is in its '70s glory, as much as possible.
> > (Some parts of the interior have deteriorated to the point where they
> > will need to be replaced, but I am planning to keep it basically the
> > same as it was when Bob and his family built it.)
> >
> > Anyway, the main thing it is missing right now is a motor. My
> > original thought was to find a 340 or 360 to bolt in. However, after
> > wondering wether a late model engine could be bolted to the '78 trans,
> > I got to thinking that what with the price of gas these days, an overdrive
> > trans would be pretty nice, which got me to thinking about swapping
> > in an engine and trans from a late model van, Ram, or Dakota. (I
> > suppose if I wanted to make it really slick, I would go the 5.7 HEMI
> > route, but I just don't have the money for that.) My current "plan"
> > involves a 5.2L or (preferably) 5.9L Magnum and matching automatic
> > trans out of a late model truck. Although I could probably get
> > a wiring harness and computer to run the engine, I am leaning towards
> > the DIY route and using a Megasquirt computer to run the engine.
> > (This is another reason I am currently favoring a late model
> > engine - no need to drill and weld fuel injector bungs into the
> > intake manifold or fabricate fuel rails, etc. Plus, the Magnum
> > heads and valvetrain are SO much better than the earlier LA motors.)
> > I've been keeping an eye on e-bay for engines and transmissions but
> > nothing has really jumped out at me yet. Seems to me like I should
> > be able to find a decent engine and trans for around $1K though... ?
> >
> > Anyhoo, that's my basic plan. I'm hoping somebody can let me
> > know what the "cutoff" year or trans model is where it becomes
> > no longer feasable for a swap like this due to the electronic/
> > computer control. Also, if anybody has an engine and/or trans
> > in good condition that they are looking to sell, or knows of
> > anybody with one, please let me know. Due to a general lack of
> > time (and also not wanting to get into a lot of money at this point)
> > I'm looking to find an engine and trans that can be basically dropped
> > in, not something that is going to require a rebuild.
> >
> > Oh, BTW - assuming I do go the Megasquirt route, once I get
> > the engine dialed in, I'll be sure to make the engine parameters
> > public so if anybody else wants to do the same thing, it should
> > be basically a plug 'n play deal for them.
> >
> >
> > Thanks!!
> >
> > --
> > -Jon-
> >
> > .- Jon Steiger --- jon@dakota-truck.net or jon@jonsteiger.com -.
> > | 67 Dodge Coronet, 70 Plymouth Barracuda, 76 Peugeot TSA |
> > | 78 Dodge B100, 90 Dodge Dakota Convertible, 92 Dodge Ram 4x4 |
> > | 96 Dodge Dakota, 96 Suzuki Intruder 1400, 96 Kolb FireFly |
> > | 99 Jeep Cherokee 4x4, 01 Dodge Ram 3500 CTD |
> > `--------------------------------- http://www.jonsteiger.com --'
> >
> >
> > .
> > .
> > .------------------------------------------------------------------.
> > | Make your plans NOW to attend the National DML Meet in Colorado! |
> > | Date: July 15-23, 2006 - More info: http://meet.dakota-truck.net |
> > `------------------------------------------------------------------'
> >
>
> .
> .
> .------------------------------------------------------------------.
> | Make your plans NOW to attend the National DML Meet in Colorado! |
> | Date: July 15-23, 2006 - More info: http://meet.dakota-truck.net |
> `------------------------------------------------------------------'
>
.
.
.------------------------------------------------------------------.
| Make your plans NOW to attend the National DML Meet in Colorado! |
| Date: July 15-23, 2006 - More info: http://meet.dakota-truck.net |
`------------------------------------------------------------------'



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