K frame swap question

[USCG Charger]

I have a 67 Barracuda v8 k frame that I want to swap w/my s/6 k frame on my 73 Swinger. Will this swap work? I know that the motor mounts a different but will it be a direct bolt up? Do I need to move the entire front end meaning....idler arm, center link, etc. I have 73 dart swinger disc brakes and a manuel steering box that are gonna bolt up to the 67 v8 k frame as well is that gonna be a problem?

I want to do this swap and put my 318 thats in my Swinger in the 67 K frame until my 5.7L is ready to be installed. The 318 is in the s/6 frame now using schmachers kit but I'm gonna have to change the K frame eventually to get the Hemi in there.

Thanks guyz
Jason

[Jim_Lusk]

You don't want to use the 67 k-member. There is no idler arm that will work with your later steering gear and center link/pitman arm.

[USCG Charger]

what if I just change the entire unit out? I take the steering gear and center link/pitman arm out of the 67 and put it in the 73.....would that work?

[USCG Charger]

I was just looking at what you wrote in this thread http://www.bigblockdart.com/index.php/topic,9800.msg84249.html#msg84249

YOu stated:

Mixing parts is NOT a problem. When Chrysler sold Direct Connection k-members there was no suggestion that you needed 73-up steering linkage parts. The only part that needed swapped was the 67 idler arm for a 68-72 arm when going into a stock 67 a-body.

ALL 67-76 k-members have the same steering gear location and lower control arm pivot hole location. The idler arm location is the same for all 68-76 k-members.

Parts fail because parts fail, not because you used 68 steering linkage on a 73 k-member. I will say this, though. After installing the 73-up linkage into my 67 fastback the fit is better and there is more exhaust and oil pan clearance.

[USCG Charger]

I have a question.....What if I take a 73 V8 K frame and cut the spool mounts off and just weld the biscuit mount on...

[Jim_Lusk]

It would be easier to cut the idler arm bracket off and put that on the 67 k-member.

The reason that you can't just use the 67 idler with the 73-up center link is that the link end stud points in the wrong direction (up on the early cars and down on the late cars). You can't just take the 67 steering linkage and use it on the 73-up steering gear is that the 73-up (most, anyway) have a larger pitman shaft (output, sector) and there is no pitman arm for mixing and matching those parts.

[kawazuki8097]

Sounds as though you are making it more complex than it needs to be. If the game plan is to simply get the bcuda running and driving, then take the entire 73 set up and bolt it in. Remove t-bars, the disco the UCA's, brake lines and steering coupler, and drop the whole shooting match down. I just did this to a 76 4d that I parted out. The entire 76 assy is going under my 67 once the frame rail is back up to snuff.

I am guessing (Jim - correct me if I'm wrong) that you were adivsed against using the 67 k because of the one year only idler on the 67. Check the ider on the b'cuda vs the one on the 73. The 67 has only one tab to attach the idler (on the top if memory serves). This could allow the idler to flex the mouting tab on the k - much weaker than the 68-72 or 73-76. I believe you cannot mix-n-match idlers, centerlinks and pitmans from the 67 with 73 parts. If you swap them as an assy, though, you should have no issues.

Keep asking questions and checking out the other projects going on - there is a wealth of knowledge here. I muddled my way through a /6 to SB swap in my 73 on my own. Once I got the 67 and got the BB bug, these guys helped me out. The 67 is still not done, but with the help of the crew here it will be a tire smokin, noise makin, sharp lookin ride.

     

[kawazuki8097]

I gotta learn to type faster!

[USCG Charger]

So just do swap for swap....everything on the 73 put in the 67 and vice versea....thast what I was gonna do but got confused about the arm and linkage stuff.

[USCG Charger]

I can keep the best of both world and just get a 68-72 sb K frame and 68-72 lower control arms. It should just bolt right up and I'd have the biscuit type mounts on it was well. Plus I just keep all my 73 steering stuff in the 73 no changing of bracketts, or anything, the pittman arm bolts in the idler arm and center link works as well.

[mischiefdart]

I would leave the '73 K-frame in the car. It has a better sway bar location and spool mouts are far superior to biscuit mounts. Just get a set of stock V8 spool mouts, Cut the passenger side engine mount bracket off the K-frame and weld it back on in the location for a V8. I believe the passenger side engine bracket is in the same location for /6 or V8. If you had the V8 engine and trans bolted up to the drivers side mount and trans crossmember  (and level in the chassis) you could bolt the passenger bracket to the spool mount and tack it in place. Remove the engine and trans and finish welding it up.