i've got a few questions about swapping slants in my '71 dart. the engine that i had in it was knocking like crazy. i've got a good running slant that i pulled out of a '76 valiant. are there any interchangability issues? for now, i'm going to use the points setup from the '71 engine. when i get her fired and i have all the bugs sorted i'll do the electronic ignition swap. how do i align the flexplate/torque converter? i've been having problems getting the converter hub located...should i bolt up the tranny before i deal with the motor mounts? any help is greatly appreciated...

There should be no swap issues here. The converter/flex plate should just line up. Make sure no rust or dirt is in the crank hub hole or on the converter snout or flexplate surfaces.

Lou

_________________
Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

When I pulled the engine out of my '74 Dart Sport, the Hayne's repair manual I bought said to take notice and indicate with white paint how the driveplate was oriented to the torque converter. What does that mean? Is there only one way it will go back on? Does it have side-to-side play and must be positioned exactly the same way for balance? I don't understand the importance. I am about to take out the tranny and have it serviced while the engine bay is being painted. Will that make any difference in how things go back together?

_________________
There's a difference between ignorance and stupidity.
Ignorance is not knowing any better.
Stupidity is knowing, yet doing it anyway.

The flex plate and torque converter only mate one way, as one of the holes is offset. Some times its a pain, but it will work like Lou said. I'm not sure of the reason, I've just accepted this on all the Mopars I've worked on. It probably is for balance though. Last slant I installed had the trans still in the car. Just use a floor jack to align the trans to the engine. Make sure the TC is fully engauged with the pump slots! So, you can install the engine either way.