Chrysler A727 to 46RH/A518 Transmission Swap | 1966 Dodge Charger

The 46RH/A518 is a 3 speed, overdrive transmission with a lockup torque converter. It came behind Chrysler 5.2L/318 and 5.9L/360 engines. John had already completed this swap into his son's '72 Duster that's equipped with a small block. Adapting this trans to a 383 big block offers up just a few more problems.
Enjoy!
#houseofmopar

[@jimmyford271]

I did a V8 swap in my 87 Dakota and I put a 46RH in it at the same time. Really nice transmission they are 4 speed with lockup converter. I just run two toggle switches for overdrive and lockup. I have 3.55 rear gears and 275/60 15 rear tires and it runs 2300 rpm at 75 mph

[@Chuck_House_of_Mopar]

Man, that's great. It really is worth the extra work.

[@moparedtn]

*PROFESSOR!* Very cool indeed, congrats on the project John! Every time I drive Fred the GTX, I want a 5th gear in the A-833....not in this lifetime, I'm afraid. Chuck, I'm glad you decided to show this conversion because there's a lot of "right way" in it - folks need to be exposed to such things being done safely and correctly. Wait a minute - did I hear the word *stickers* in the conversation there? Chuck, you holding out on me man? Fess! Serious note: Everyone please take the time *now* to tell all you love and care about how you feel. I lost two very dear friends this week, so.... Anyways, thank you as always Chuck, see you in the next one. - Ed on the Ridge

[@Chuck_House_of_Mopar]

Sorry to hear about your friends Fred, life is short. I need to get an email address and post it up. Maybe make up a sticker pack.

[@moparedtn]

Thanks Chuck. I'm Ed, the GTX is Fred. :-) Yes, there's always the possibility of merch income in your future. :-) - Ed

[@jdetmer5737]

Thanks for covering my little project Farm Chuck! Great job on the video!

[@Chuck_House_of_Mopar]

You betcha John!

[@cjk211]

Great video. I'm in North County. I'm getting ready to install a 360 Magnum & 46rh into a 35 Plymouth PJ

[@Chuck_House_of_Mopar]

That sounds very cool, shoot me an email. [e-mail]

[@YODAMAN5]

AWESOME CONVERSION...hows it doing so far....MOPAR 4 EVER.

[@Chuck_House_of_Mopar]

Yes that made a huge difference in the drivability of his Charger.

[@robertheinkel6225]

The 62 Ford station wagon that I drove in high school, had a factory overdrive. It must of been ahead of its time. All you had to do to go into OD, was back off the throttle, and it would upshift. It worked in all three gears.

[@Chuck_House_of_Mopar]

No kidding, the manufacturers were trying everything.

[@jimmyford271]

I had a 50 Studebaker champion 3 on the tree and overdrive

[@lowdown49]

Digging the '72 duster 340 at 2:20. My dad had a blue one he bought off the lot brand new when I was a kid. I dream of having one some day

[@Chuck_House_of_Mopar]

That Duster IS a nice car. Thanks

[@rockymeyers4030]

I found your channel (again) on this rainy wet weekend. Are you and or professor near southern il( metro east)? I saw some IL plates on a car in one of your vids, and I'm sure I saw the pink A body in person before. I have a 73 Challenger with 46rh swap and a 360 magnum. Formerly injected, but went to carb as I spent more time tuning than driving. Well, if you are local, I hope to bump into in 2022

[@Chuck_House_of_Mopar]

Yep that's where we are located. We don't hit too many local shows, although it would be fun. You can shoot me an email at [e-mail] Thanks

[@phillipwhitehurst5426]

I picked up a 74 duster with a 383 and 518 od trans, after watching this video and all the work and money to run the 518 I'm just going to stay old school and get a 727.

[@Chuck_House_of_Mopar]

Yes, it is a ton of work and expense.

[@jdetmer5737]

It's not that bad! The overdrive is hands down the best improvement I've made on that car. Car runs cooler, uses no oil now, gets almost 18mpg, and is so much quieter inside when cruising.

[@Chuck_House_of_Mopar]

Good to hear John, I need to get back over there and go for a ride.

[@DusterCI]

Really liked the video. I’m in the works of putting a 5.9 Magnum with a 46RH from a 93 Dodge truck in my 73 Duster. Getting the O.D switch kit from PATC and wonder how well it will shift here in Pennsylvania with all the big hills going up and down. Should I put on/off switches in also for both the O.D and lockup? Got any thoughts on that?

[@Chuck_House_of_Mopar]

I'm not sure what to tell you about the on/off switches. I'd say run without them for a while and then decide if you need them. Good luck

[@DusterCI]

@@Chuck_House_of_Mopar Thanks, think I'm going to put in the swiches. Easier to take them out then trying to wire in later. Do appreciate your thoughts, keep up the great videos.

[@Chuck_House_of_Mopar]

@@DusterCI Cool

[@williamsanders4898]

Do you have a video on the Abody Trans swap?

[@Chuck_House_of_Mopar]

No I sure don''t

[@denvermiller2784]

What was the trans amount he used?

[@Chuck_House_of_Mopar]

He made the crossmember himself. The mount is for a GM TH350 for practically any car build from the late 70s to the early 90s. He suggests getting the Energy Suspension piece that has 3 tapped holes. He used the center hole with a stud through the crossmember. They sell the Energy piece at O'Reilly's.

[@maxhammontree3169]

Hey man, I’m wanting to do the same swap. I didn’t notice if you had a 318 or 360 in the competed car. I have a 360 and I can’t figure out what I need to mate the motor and Trans. Do I need a weighted flex plate or torque converter?? Thanks

[@Chuck_House_of_Mopar]

I'm no expert by any means but a 318 is internally balanced and the 360 is externally balanced, but you probably knew that. So as far as I know, the torque converters would be different as far as being weighted. I'd give the guys a call at TCIauto.com. They cut their teeth on Chrysler transmissions.

[@Kirby1969]

Are you using the factory shifter mechanism? I'm putting a 518 into a 71 Satellite that was a column shift. I'm trying to figure out how to go with a simple floor cable shifter with stock shifting pattern and non of the ratchet style stuff.

[@Chuck_House_of_Mopar]

I'm not sure what John did, I'll have to have him read your question and let you know. I'm pretty sure that he managed to use the factory setup.

[@jdetmer5737]

Yes I am using the factory shifter that I adopted the cable to. You check it out at around 24:42 mark.

[@Kirby1969]

@@jdetmer5737 cool! That gives me the inspiration to use my factory setup. I definitely prefer the stock shifter. Thank you!

[@Kirby1969]

@@jdetmer5737 do you happen to know the part number for the B&M shifter cable you used? I'm guessing you used the "Levers Kit 10497" on the transmission?

[@truthweallknow]

Nice.

[@Chuck_House_of_Mopar]

Thanks David, glad you liked it. Sweet ride.

[@kevinhumphrey932]

Where's all the ol school 426 hemis hiding at every mopar guy has at least one hidden some where lol

[@Chuck_House_of_Mopar]

Yeah, I wish. Those engines are SO expensive. It would be cool start messing with some Gen 3 stuff. Too bad they need a computer to run. Thanks

[@kevinhumphrey932]

@@Chuck_House_of_Mopar my pops has 2 complete 426's one of them is a stroker with the new design of the indy cylinder heads and valve train

[@Chuck_House_of_Mopar]

@@kevinhumphrey932 Very cool, need to drop them into something.

[@dbc105]

How thick is the metal John used to make the adapter and is it aluminum or steel? Looks aluminum but it could be painted, just can't tell in the video. Thanks.

[@Chuck_House_of_Mopar]

I'm not sure which adapter that you mean. If you're talking about the rear trans mount it's steel and it's the same thickness as a factory trans mount. Whatever that is.

[@jdetmer5737]

Hello, I used 1/4" on the adapter, and the trans crossmember is .093 thick. -John

[@Chuck_House_of_Mopar]

Thanks John

[@jdetmer5737]

Correction, 1/2" thick aluminum. Sorry about that!

[@elimontfort6620]

I have a d200 with a 400. I’m not a mopar guy at all and I’m looking at putting in some type of OD transmission and wondering what you would recommend. I’d like to keep fairly simple and cost effective.

[@Chuck_House_of_Mopar]

You can use the same 46RH that John used with a JW bellhousing. He was waiting on a JW bell when we did this video and it eventually came in and is on the car now. I'll let him know that you're asking about this and maybe he'll chime in. Thanks

[@jdetmer5737]

Sorry I just seen that you said 400. So you will need an adapter kit or a bell housing to adapt to it.

[@marklottero5345]

Do you shift it 1, 2, 3, 4? Or just like a 727 and use the toggle switch to turn on OD or 4th?? Thanks

[@Chuck_House_of_Mopar]

He has the overdrive set up to kick in at a certain pressure. The lock up is on a timer that you can set. I think that he has it at 4 seconds and then the torque converter locks up. They have pressure switches on the Duster for both OD and lockup. Just put it into drive and that's it.

[@davidsondan7471]

That starter solenoid is going to go out in like 50 miles and you're going to have to take the header off.

[@Chuck_House_of_Mopar]

He has since done the JW bell conversion on this transmission and wrapped the headers. Thanks

[@davidsondan7471]

@@Chuck_House_of_Mopar I was worried

[@bernierezny8156]

Hi everyone ☺

[@Chuck_House_of_Mopar]

Hey Bernie, good chatting with you today.

[@tomdamon7208]

Guy needs a chill pill

[@Chuck_House_of_Mopar]

Thanks for sharing.