engine block (backside)

[booyaballer]

i am replacing the transmission (automatic to manual) on my 70 challenger. while the transmission is off, is there anything i should consider or need to do like maintananece while the engine's backside is exposed?

Thanks in advance

 

[Rich G.]

If there's freeze out plugs there I’d replace them depending on how old they are.

 

[Cuda Hunter]

Is the throw out bearing that goes in the rear of the crank the same size between manual and automatic?

 

[Rich G.]

You mean pilot bearing. Not sure about that but now is the time to check

 

[Cuda Hunter]

OH yeah. Thanks.

 

[fasjac]

Use a dial indicator on the bellhousing to check that the run out is in specs.

 

[Chryco Psycho]

the tq converter sit in the recess at the back of the crank
4 spd requires a deeper hole in the rear of the crank & a pilot bushing
IIRC only the small block has freeze plugs inside the belhousing area at the rear of the block

 

[Adam]

MOPAR PERFORMANCE PILOT BEARING P4876056 Roller Crank Bushing 318 360 383 440 | eBay

This type of bearing will fit in the large hole for the converter nose but is deep enough to allow a manual trans input shaft to fully seat.

 

[Daves69]

FWIW, what I found on a '68 440 AUTO crank and standard length input (not cut down) 4 speed...........

The crank has the necessary depth, but the .890" (green) diameter bore is too small for the .940" standard bushing.
Some auto cranks have only a shallow center drilled. Most will use the bearing mentioned above and shorten the trans input shaft.
This page describes that scenario.........
Mopar Big-Block A-Body 4-Speed Conversion

If one decides to drill the depth and diameters, take care to not drill too deep and open up an oil passage in the crank!

BTW, Torque the bell down to spec before you indicate it in.

 

[Racer Dave]

Is the throw out bearing that goes in the rear of the crank the same size between manual and automatic?

I was going to mention installing a pilot bearing, as engines equipped with an automatic from the factory don't have one.

 

[Chryco Psycho]

nor is the hole deep enough for a regular brass pilot but you can drill the hole deeper & use the Dakota roller brg

 

[Racer Dave]

Or (*wince*) cut the input shaft a half inch or so with a cutoff wheel and use the roller bearing.

 

[fasjac]

I once had a “4T440EHP” pulled from a charger out of the bone yard. Charger was an automatic trans. Don’t believe I was ever completely comfortable back in 1988 decoding the engine pad. Long story less painful, the pilot bushing installed perfectly. This engine had the skinny damper on it. And it was obvious that it had never been torn down. Just putting it out there.

 

[oldkimmer]

Yes, some auto cars did in fact come with a manual trans crank. Kim