I'm new to the forum. I just bought an unmolested 75 Dart Sport with 225 and auto trans. I had a 64 Dart two-door and 66 Dart wagon, both 225, in the 1980s. Mainly I'm into Alfas, but have an old Ford and Mopar streak too.

The 225 in the Dart has a bad rod bearing. I have read up all I can on interchangeability of Slant Sixes, but can't find this particular combo. Will a 225 from a manual-trans 83 truck/van bolt up to the auto trans OK in the 75 Dart Sport (Duster-style body)? I know it'll have cast crank and hydraulic lifters, right, but I'm chiefly concerned about the bellhousing bolt pattern and whether the 75 flexplate/torque converter will mate to the 83 crank. I guess also pan and oil pump might be an issue?

Thanks for any help here, and if this is covered somewhere I apologize for not finding it.

Andrew, Berkeley CA

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1964 Barracuda Commando 273 (friend's)

(1) Hello and welcome
(2) Bellhousing bolt pattern is the same
(3) Keep the oil pan and oil pump pickup form the 75 motor
(4) There will be a pilot bushing in the back of the 83 motor crank for the manual transmission. Remove this before installing the motor in the 75 Dart.

Otherwise, everything bolts right up.

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Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

Excellent, thank you. I got a 65 225 from an auto trans Dart for next to nothing, but it has a visibly sloppy rod bearing too. I figured for $40 I couldn't really go wrong if I need a piston or rod if I go through the 75 engine.
But the running 83 seems like a better bet, if still available and we can work a deal.
Thanks
Andrew

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1964 Barracuda Commando 273 (friend's)

If the pilot bushing is flush in the crank (doesn't protrude into the torque converter support pocket) it can stay in place.

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Joshua

True. I never mess with manual transmissions, so I didn't know that for sure.

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Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

Rolled on down to San Jose Saturday morning and bought the 83 truck engine. Tossed it in the F250 and cruised home. Came complete with exhaust manifold, intake, carb, air pump, starter, odds and ends. Let's hope it was $250 well spent. Couldn't run it, but plugs looked good, and seller said it passed its last two smog checks, for what that's worth.
Any issue on alignment/balance of the flex plate with the dampener on the front pulley? This was a manual trans engine; I'm putting in an auto Dart.
Thanks all.
Andrew

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1964 Barracuda Commando 273 (friend's)

Scamp's 360 is out, in disgrace with a not-bolted-in #1 main bearing cap. 318 is in place and running well. Having a good time hooliganing around in it.
Dart Sport is now in the garage and getting ready for engine transplant. Put the new engine on the stand yesterday, cleaned it, and will start to remove pan, pump, manifolds, etc. to swap items over from Dart engine. Drained 20+ quarts of oil out of it, which explains the giant puddle in the street. I could not imagine how it was leaking so much. Seems to be all oil, not an oil/gas mixture, but will look closely at the fuel pump and carb to ensure they weren't draining into the sump.
I drove it the two miles home from its parking space to my house, and it made it, barely. Noisy rod, lots of blue smoke, no power. Five gallons of oil in the pan makes it run not so good.
Andrew

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1964 Barracuda Commando 273 (friend's)