Posted by Vaughn [104.23.195.62] on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 10:15:49 :
In Reply to: Repower 1/2 ton closed cab wc12 posted by DDD [104.23.245.36] on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 07:36:55 :
I'm assuming you have a 218 engine so it's the same length as the 230. Regarding V8 engines, if your wanting to stay with the Dodge theme, the engine is longer than a Chevy and you'll have to rework the radiator to a left side outlet, you may not have enough room for a fan that will be determined as you work the conversion so electric fan is an option, puller and maybe a pusher as well to keep the engine cool, but if you have to relocate the engine back two inches you may be ok, V8 engine sits lower. Engine conversion kits are available from VPW, not sure how well it will work with the WC12
The Chevy 283, 327, 350, 383 stroker fits nice in the Power wagon with a Muncie SM420 4 speed trans with granny low gear that's lower than what you have with the stock trans, with no modification to the radiator and you can use the PW shroud, with the stock fan using a water pump highriser which is not available for a Dodge engine. Down side is you have to make your own mounts.
Using the hanging pedals gives you power brakes which makes the truck really stop well with safer braking since the MC splits front and rear wheels.
It's not going to be quieter depending on the muffler you choose, but muffler armor wrapped around the mufflers does the trick for deep low rpm sound, and quite cruising.
I've installed a 65 327 in my PW with the great GM HEI distributor and it is some work, but I'm extremely happy with the results. A lot more pep and the SM420 is syncro 2nd, 3rd, and 4th so shifting is really nice. It does have a little whine to the gears except for 4th so it sounds a little like the spur gear. I installed a hydraulic throw-out bearing which feels nice and smooth depressing the clutch pedal.
Starting around page 352 of the PIF are instructions, images, measurements, parts and their numbers that are required making the conversion a breeze except for adjusts to tailor to the WC12 and the labor to do it. I would suggest if you go with a chevy, to purchase the water pump highriser and install it and pump/fan and universal shroud before you work on making mounts to help in determining engine height. The older 327 have holes in the front of the engine, so it may be easy making mounts similar to what I did. My engine is totally insulated by the PW rear insulators and the M37 TC mount insulators so it is very quiet, and with the torque moderator at the rear mounts, the engine doesn't rock when speeding up rpms. It nice traversing a grade, hit the throttle and the truck speeds up instead of slowing down. I pondered whether to make the conversion for a long time, but with parts for the 230 becoming fewer options, I decided to make the conversion. I had spoken with Ray about one of his kits, and during the discussion he thought it might be more than I might want to do, being 70 when I stared the conversion, so I said thank you and looked elsewhere, and that's where I am. With the shroud and Robert Shaw thermostat (180), the engine runs between 140 and 170 depending on the outside temp, so I strongly recommend using a shroud with the radiator. You will either gain some MPG or loose some depending on your engine setup.
It's some work and you'll need so welding skills so I hope you have those and the equipment. I have a Harbor Freight 225 stick welder that I plug into my dryer outlet and it has handled up to 170 amps thus far. DO NOT USE HB ARC rods they are not good and make welding difficult! I use Prostar by Linde E6013 5/32, 170 amps, and I love those rods, nice penetration, easy to start and maintain the ark. Oxy-Acetylene for the light work, it gives you control over heat and feeding the metal rod for filling wider and narrower gaps, and you may need it for cutting and bending metal. A 20ton press is required for bending the 2x3/8 steel flats if you use that size, and a drill press definitely helps. This is probably more info than you wanted, but it's better to give more that not enough. Good luck in making your decision and task converting your power plant!