Vannin' Home Forums Dodge How To (Dodge) How to swap 5.7 Hemi for 1979 440

Hi,

I’m going to put a 2007 5.7 with 100,000 miles from a Chrysler Aspen into a 1979 MB400 that now has an original 21,000 mile 440-3 and 727 transmission.

This will be my build thread.

G.

Had some high winds here yesterday to help get the Aspen frame indoors.









Let the extraction begin.

Got the motor out of the frame and the frame somewhat out of the way with Leggz using the lawn tractor for a somewhat full pull until the soft gravel took over.



Here's the Hotwire hemi truck hot rod style harness. I've had Chris add 3 feet of wire to the harness. He normally has the harness come through the firewall at the back of the right cylinder head. I'm going from there forward and then up through the firewall so the PCM ends up under the glove box. The 4 included relays and fuse box will go there as well. Otherwise the wiring comes out through the back of the doghouse!



I'm running converters and an EGR valve. These pre 2009 Hemis had issues with dropped valve seats so I want the EGR to keep the cylinder head temperatures in line. The thermostat will be down one step from factory, but still hot enough that the motor runs for decent mileage. No MDS as the gross is 10,000 lbs all day and the A518 doesn't support a speed sensor so why bother.

An issue came up that the MAP sensor connector is too short to reach the sensor. And the AC compressor and alternator field wires seem a little long. Long is okay. No one can see the engine at all anyway. Too short not so bueno. Chris at Hotwire saw what happened, said I was sent a car style harness, and he would make me a jumper cable to send out. He had it made up on Friday afternoon within 30 minutes of my email and it ships tomorrow. That is service!





Snow is melting and exposing dropped parts from the rollover so I grabbed the fuel pump connector and got the wiring sorted out for it.

Trust all out there are doing well.

G.

Hi.

Hooked up the Hotwire harness after getting a working starter. Dropped fuel pump in a bucket. After smacking the pump a few times it worked.

Tappped the starter wire and she fired right up. The pedal position sensor is not inducing the throttle plates to move so I'll swap that out.

Onward!

Put 58 lph fuel pump in a 2012 Nissan Versa tank. Made straps and mount for it behind 50 gallon factory tank. Auxiliary tank will fill from main by click clack pump. Sender shows level via switch and factory gauge.

Want second alternator for "house" battery charging. It is a valve regulated lead acid type from a bus. 144 lbs. Needs max float charge of 13.8 volts so it gets another alternator.

I'm using a match for the 2007 Aspen alternator so that parts are easy to match up. The second idler is a twin for the other factory pieces.

Gap on left is for AC compressor that will be reinstalled. Belt is there for mock up.

Van on its side is providing tailshaft and housing for my 4x4 A518 transmission that I paid a fortune for and am not using now. Gotta love neighbors with a set of forks on a skid steer.

Hi,

I'm playing catch up here with photos. This system forcing me to reduce file sizes to less than a meg is time consuming and frustrating. I can post whatever photo I want to other forums and its all taken care of. Let's get out of the 90's team.

Rant over.

Factory manual says you must pull the pan and pickup to get a 440 out. Nope. Put the front tires on ramps and keep the engine hoist LOW over the motor. Us a flat shovel for the crossmembers. 1/2 inch out, 1/2 inch up. Repeat.



Left old 727 in for depth check. Want to put 518 in same place relative to old 727 bellhousing face.



Various tight fits-

If a moderator can help me get rid of the 3 attached files at the bottom of the last post I will continue otherwise I'll spend my time quickly posting at the Truck Conversion forum.

And by that I want instructions that are clear enough for me to repetitively post without a mod stepping in and doing it for me.

Thank you.