Hi all, I recently purchased a 1974 Dodge Dart Swinger (4dr with 225/904). This is a column shifter. Can I use this transmission in my '63 Valiant push button? Is there a modification kit or mounting hardware required? Any help would be appreciated - I am a rookie, but trying to learn.

Contact Imperial Services ( www.imperialservices.net ). I believe they are now producing the adapter to let you use a 66 and later transmission with pushbuttons

The 74 trans will not fit the 63 engine, with out mods.
Special torque converter, with a small pilot and large input splines, or switching the front internal parts of the trans (pump, input shaft, clutch drum) to the 63 parts. also the drive shaft would have to be change, along with the shifter setup.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

You cannot do this swap without expensive and extensive modifications and adaptors. Best to rebuild the '63 transmission.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Thanks.

So, if I understand the above two replies I need to modify the push-button shifter by sending the unit and cables to that company. Does this still require the additional hardware? I planned to swap the complete rear end as well (rear axle, pumkin, brakes, etc.). Would this make a difference?

Seems it might be better, and cheaper, to find a working push-button 904.

I planned to swap the '74 225 as well (engine and tranny together) does this pose any problems?

Loads of help, thanks!!!

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63 Valiant 200, 4 Door,

Yes, at $265 + shipping + waiting time + removal and installation labour.
The $265 to Imperial Services gets you all the hardware to control the later transmission with the pushbutton controls. There would still need to be (minor) floor pan modifications to clear the later transmission, a modified driveshaft, and—if you plan to use the '74 trans behind the '63 engine—a custom torque converter or crankshaft/trans modifications.
No. Note the '74 rear axle, if it is a 7¼" unit (9-bolt rear cover) is weaker internally than the '63 7¼" rear, and the ratio is most likely different (2.93 or 3.23 in the '63, 2.76 in the '74). If the '74 rear axle is a 10-bolt unit (8¼"), it is stronger than the '63 rear, but be careful of having rear brakes larger than the front brakes.
For sure!
No, not as such: It eliminates the need for '63-engine-to-'74-trans adaptation, but you still would need a different/custom driveshaft and the pushbutton control modification/adaptation and the floorpan mods.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

No. Note the '74 rear axle, if it is a 7¼" unit (9-bolt rear cover) is weaker internally than the '63 7¼" rear,

Dan, please elaborate. I was not aware of any strength differences. Only the difference in the size of the axel bearings, in different years.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

Thanks Dan,

I really did not want to modify the floor pans. And the strength issue, along with axle ratio concerns me. The 74 is intact and a driver so I could simply sell it.

My current engine and tranny (in the 63 Valiant) have sat for over 25 years. The coolant chambers are clogged and the engine looks overall very sluggy with oily goo. The push-button shifter cable was broken (yes, like torn right from the controls), so I have always suspected a tranny issue.

I guess I should yank the whole 225/904 out of the 63 and give it a overhaul, if you think it is worth it. Is there a method to bench test the tranny? Your help is more benefical than you know. THANKS!

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63 Valiant 200, 4 Door,

The 7¼" rear axle has 4 spider gears up to about '72 or so, only 2 spider gears thereafter.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Well, let me clarify: We're talking about hammer-dinks here and there to clear protrusions on the trans. Not cutting and welding.
The different axle ratio could be a benefit or a hindrance, depending on how the '63 is used. Mostly city, mostly highway? Fact is, axle ratios kinda went opposite the way they should've gone. The lightweight early A-bodies got super-deep axle ratios (3.55, 3.23) that really had the engine spinning fast (and gobbling up gas). The later, much heavier A-bodies had tall, cruisy ratios (2.76) that tended to make them slugs off the line. A 2.76 rear axle in a '63 Valiant would not be unreasonable!

As for the strength issue: Don't worry too much about it. The 7¼" (early or late) is plenty strong enough in a stock slant-6 A-body, as long as it's kept full of the proper grade of oil. "weaker" is a relative term.
OK...you could probably get this old engine back into running shape, but after 25 years of sitting, there are probably stuck rings and valves and other such nasties.
Ouch. So you'll need a replacement cable.
No reason why not, unless these units have hard physical damage (hole in the block, for instance).
Yes, but the "bench" required is a hugely expensive and very specialised piece of equipment found only at a few large-scale performance transmission builders' facilities. 25 years of sitting? Just go ahead and rebuild it.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Sorry, Dan. Beg to differ. I have never seen a 7 1/4 open rear with 4 spider gears. I even went out to the shop and looked at two cariers I have on the shelf. My 66 and 69 FSM also show the 7 1/4 with two spiders. Now the only ones I have seen are from 64 till the early 70's, but late enough to have the large bolt pattern. I have never seen the 60-63 rears.
Are you sure, you're not thing of the suregrip units? The early "clutch" type SG's had 4 spiders. The later "cone" type only had two spiders. Just compared two I have on the shelf. The clutch type is from a 1965 Valiant. The cone type is from a 76 Duster.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

I could certainly be crossing up SG vs. open rather than early vs. late.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Here are some options:
1) Swap the engine & trans from the 74 into the 63 by changing the engine's oil pan / pick-up tube, install a 66 steering column / shift linkage or any floor shifter to support the "non cable" trans shifting, change the speedo cable to a 66 type and modify the drive shaft for the "slip-in" yoke.

2) Swap the 74 engine with oil pan change, use the special adaptor to mate it to the 63 pushbutton trans. Replace the bad shifter cable and troubleshoot the 63 trans to get it to work right. (worst case, rebuild it or swap in a good used trans., I have a few of those)

3) Pull and rebuild the 63 engine and trans.
DD

Thanks Doc,

With regard to option one:
This seems viable, however I want to maintain the push-button function. They are pretty cool and conversational.
This seems more realistic for my skills. I do have the new cable installed. Send me a PM for a quote on a used Tranny you might have. Do you know where I might get the oil pan and the special adaptor? Do I also need new motor mounts? I suppose I could do without the emmisions stuff and keep the electronic ignition on the 74.

Any thoughts on the rear end of the 74 onto the 63. Basically my brakes are froze and a couple of lugs are broken on the 63, while the 74 turns nice and the brakes work fine. I suppose a modified crankshaft might be in order.

If it isn't realistic or cost effective to use the 74 parts I am inclined to keep the 74 together so I could drive or sell it. $475 for just an engine (out of the 74) seems expensive. With that said, anyone need a drivable and nice 74 Dart Swinger wih 51K miles

Thanks and I look forward to your suggestions (everyone).

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63 Valiant 200, 4 Door,

You might also look at A & A Transmissions. They have a conversion cable, P/N AACCP, for '66 and up TorqueFlites in a '62-'65 vehicle. It's $150.

Wasn't able to find it online in their catalog, so it still might be a dead end.

Don't think it needed you to send your typewriter in, either.

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'15 Chrysler 200S V6
'74 Duster 360, factory 4 speed car