Travco 270 getting a Cummins Diesel swap

[jeeprobb]

Hi Kenny, we are a ways from Lancaster but would love to see you. We will hopefully be gone in Fannie part of June and July. I will keep posting as we progress. Robb

[moparmerv]

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Hello Rob..any more Pictures yet? Do you have any info for me where I can get a 3,07 and a carrier to match? I have been looking aroud but have a hard time finding one.Merry Christmas to all of you!

\n\nIf you can find a 1st gen 12valve dodge with the 727 you will find a dana 70 with 3.07 gears.\n-Chris

[7d6 Travco]

You may have to look for a 12-valve Cummins with the A-618 (OD 727, beefier build for the TD) as well

[jeeprobb]

Hi all. Weather supposed to be beautiful here today and I have all day to work on Fannie. hope to have good news and a new post for Sunday. Things are starting to fall into place now and it feels good. Robb

[moparmerv]

You may have to look for a 12-valve Cummins with the A-618 (OD 727, beefier build for the TD) as well

\nThe reason you need to find a 727 truck is because the overdrive trucks got lower gears like 4.10 etc. The 3 speeds all had 3.07 otherwise you couldn't go over 55 mph with them.\n-Chris

[7d6 Travco]

Ended up having the A-518 re-done in my '93 Ramcharger. Seems the bearing retainer in the TC has a tendency for the 3 little clip tabs to sheer off, then everything starts grinding together and shoots garbage through the trans and kills it. Have a friend who builds TC, he knew the issue as soon as I brought it in and when he cut it open- surprise, surprise- Mike was right on. So the TC got roller bearings, beefier parts (Mike did the TC in my '89 Turbo Caravan the same and it was still going great at 308K miles when I got rid of it) . Tranny was handled the same way- upgraded parts, A-618 spec stuff. Kind of a "Mix-n-match" deal to make it as durable as possible.\nRelevance? If I'm going to swap in a diesel and all that, no way I'd not use an OD- my 320 has a 4.56 gear. The Chrysler A-618 is the HD, OD 727 variant for the Cummins. Up until they went SMEC-where one control oversees everything from tranny operation, alternator output, fuel injection programming, et cetera- you can use them w/o a complicated computer set-up. The A-518 (non-diesel spec OD 727) is a pretty popular swap for Mopar folks who want an OD behind their vintage cars, trucks, vans, what have you. There are more options as well, but I don't know much about the alternatives. \nNot trying to be rude, hope this didn't come off as being an ass toward you; typed words never are good at communicating intonation.

[jeeprobb]

I see both sides of this coin. I decided to go with the Allison for the HD-ness of it and the fact that I did not want any computers in my rig. I am compensating for the no OD with rear end gears and 32" tires. The OD would be nice but I had 2 CTD Rams with the A618 and had multiple problems with the shift points and computer issues. If I could have easily put a manual tranny in my 270 it would have one

[7d6 Travco]

I hear you guys. Definitely don't want to give anybody the impression I know it all or I am the "Supreme" authority. Just an opinion, choice. When I get closer, I will talk to several guys I know in regard to this and figure out what OD option will work best for what I want. I always ask people with experience when it comes to making the final choice on modifying a vehicle, be it brakes, trans, motor, suspension, wheels/tire combos

[Acesneights]

I wonder if an Optishift would work on a 618 ? There are a few other companies that make standalones but I am kinda with Jeeprob on the no electronic thing. That is why I have an M1008 and am looking for a Duece.

[jeeprobb]

Well here are some more photos and where I am now. I worked on Fannie for 13 hours Saturday and got alot done but did not get her started. It is turning over but I think my old battery is just too weak to prime the empty fuel system and make it spin fast enough to light. Ordering a new battery at work Monday so Tues. night looks like a winner.

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Here is a shot of the area where I had to cut out the floor and reinforce it. It is actually stronger than it was before, but I may have to add a heat shield for the exhaust side of the turbo. You can also see the down pipe I fabbed up, it is 3" and will jump up to 4" once it gets under the floor. On the drivers side I had to purchase a new intake elbow to get the intercooler pipe installed. The factory Cummins intake elbow looks square like you could face it to the front but it is not.

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Next is a shot of the Cummins with everything on the front and the belt installed. I am going to use the Travco rad. as it has been re-cored, is actually 50 square inches larger than the Cummins/Dodge rad. and both are 3 row. Things are going to be tight but I have trial fit everything and it will work.

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Here is a shot of the spin-on filter I added for the tranny, this even required some research to get a high flow filter/housing for the Allison. I am trying to make Fannie as "bulletproof" as possible.

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Last is a shot of the seats we rescued from a late nineties Caravan. They are the middle row "captains" chairs are much more comfortable, have dual armrests and recline. Just need a good scrubbing and they will be good as new.

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That is all for now I will keep plugging along, hope to have her running this week!