If you are running one where did you get the adapter to bolt one up? Whats your gas mileage like??

At least a couple users are.

The adaptor is either the boat anchor LA to RG adaptor from a 60's truck/van with an automatic, or you got lucky and got one of the nice ones that Andy of AREngineering had made a while back.

-D.Idiot

Lou AKA Dart270 has one. He was telling me about the difficulties installing it, PM him he would be glad to chat about it.

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Hello, NC

I still have a new in box ARE adapter I might as well sell. It is a thing of beauty. I can't imagine Lou's difficulties, if any came with using the ARE adapter, however. It is CNC milled and matches a 518 exactly. Difficulties may have occurred as a space problem or a crossmember problem. I had to cut out crossmember and make a new crossmember just to use a 727, for instance. Another difficulty with the overdrive is its controls as opposed to a 727. But only mild hassles, not deal killers.

rock
'64d100

Lou's issues were mainly with space under an A body.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

It takes some cutting and such, yes. MPG so far is 24-26 in my '68 Dart at 75 MPH. The gain from a non-lockup 904 trans is about 2-3 MPG (10%), so not huge. I have had this trans in the car for 6 years now and no troubles.

I did try using the ARE alum adapter plate, but it is not centered perfectly with my trans/engine, so it broke 3 flexplates before I put the stock plate back in - ugh. I need to get an empty case to rebuild and center it with dowels on the engine.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Fellows,

Thanks to all who PM'd me about my ARE adapter. It got grabbed by the first responder after I waited a bit to see if NC wanted it. Talk about a much wanted item!

rock
'64d100

Did you contanct Andy about the problem?

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'72 Duster 198 stock cam, 3:23's

93 D350 Cummins THD Maxfuel 35mpg parts to hit 400hp+ Suncoast Cat2 A518, converter DDP Stage III injectors 62/64 HX35, 3 piece manifold, 4" Diamond Eye, Gear Venders OD. Stage I street/tow PDD head on order.

I did, but he only said it was based on the trans/engine he had in hand, and we agreed lining up with dowels was the right way. I trust his measurements were right on the parts he had.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Here is a picture of the plates that I made several years ago. I think the one I did for Lou was a prototype but I honestly don't recall anymore. That was at least 5 years ago if not longer.

I created the CAD file from the blueprints published in the MP books but I never verified them other than bolting the whole assembly together. It is possible that the dimensions were close enough to bolt together but off enough to cause a vibration. A person should be able to bolt the adapter on then use a dial indicator on the crank flange to verify that things are centered.

Here is what the adapter looked like when bolted together. The adapter was designed to work with the small starter. I also designed a starter shield from SST as well as an inspection cover also made from SST.

I never heard of any other issues than Lou's so either he got a bum one or else nobody else ever used the other ones that were sold. I'd think that some offset dowels could be used to line things up properly if the holes are off a bit since I have a hard time seeing how things could be super far off. But like I said before, I never had a chance to verify these parts in actual use and I haven't had any of these parts on hand now for several years.

Wow! Looks like the starter would be in the way of my Hookers.

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'72 Duster 198 stock cam, 3:23's

93 D350 Cummins THD Maxfuel 35mpg parts to hit 400hp+ Suncoast Cat2 A518, converter DDP Stage III injectors 62/64 HX35, 3 piece manifold, 4" Diamond Eye, Gear Venders OD. Stage I street/tow PDD head on order.

Yeah, it could be. That is another issue that isn't discussed much when people talk about adapting an OD tranny. The starter has to move to the small block position which puts it in the way of some slant six exhaust systems.

With only a 10% gain it seems that a lockup trans would be just as good with alot less work?

That starter location is the classic "low mount" that Clifford lists. Yes, most Slant headers won't clear it, especially in a car.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.