Posted by Alan Bowes on September 28, 1997 at 12:57:02:
In Reply to: Re: V-8 engine conversion for '53 M37 posted by jim on September 28, 1997 at 12:24:16:
: : Alan
: Can you tell me if the original bell housing will mate to the 318. The original engine has parts missing and I will do a conversion.
Hi again,
I'm afraid that I'll have to defer that question to those who have actually done 318 conversions, since I don't want to give you any incorrect information.
In general however, for most conversions you need an adapter if you want to use the original transmission. There are a number of off-the-shelf adapters available, but I simply don't know what may be available for what you plan. If adapters are not available, it is usually easier to use a factory engine-transmission combination that only requires driveline, engine-mount, linkage, exhaust system, radiator, fuel system, and electrical modifications to make it work. Even with all of the things you have to tweak to make the conversion work properly, none are as difficult or expensive as designing and fabricating a new transmission adapter. Again, there may already be a transmission adapter for the 318 conversion that is available off-the-shelf (or maybe you don't even need one).
You might also want to research the difference between earlier and later M37 transmissions to see if there is any advantage to a newer M37B1 transmission, since these had some improvements over the older units. As to whether they can handle more power than the older transmissions, I'm not sure...yet. I'm in the process of doing some research along those lines myself.
Alan