I don't want to hijack the other thread but I have a related question, which I also posted in the Engine forum. Will the trans and engine from a 1980 Volare bolt into a 65 Barracuda. I know the driveshaft and shift linkage are different, but will it fit the tunnel and bolt up to the 65 mounts? The driveshaft should just need to be shortened but does anybody have a neat way to adapt the 1965 cable shift to the 1980 trans?

I assume the 1980 trans has the lockup torque converter. How do I tell for sure?

Any other problems I will run into?

Yes it will bolt in. Use the '65 motor mounts, a '66 or later Valiant/Baracuda driveshaft. You will need to ding the left front corner of the oil pan to clear the k-member and the rear section of the oil pan that rests on the center link, or you can used the '65s oilpan and pickup. The OE transmission shifter will not work with this swap, a quick fix is to use an aftermarket cable shifter.

I think "Imperial Services", has a kit so you can keep the pushbutton shifter. They advertise in Mopar mags.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

The Barracuda has a floor shifter in a console. It is basically a lever with a couple detents. It should be easier to adapt something to it than to the push button type. It still uses a cable of course.

Is there any way to verify that the 80 Volare has the lockup torque converter? The car is my wife's daily driver and I am trying to improve the mileage.

Sorry, misread the post. 2 posibilities. The PB adapter from Imperial, MIGHT work, you would have to ask them. Second, might be able to use a 66 floor shifter, which uses mechanical linkage. To check for a lockup converter, if the trans is off the engine, remove the converter and look at the end of the trans input shaft. If the splines go to the end of the shaft, it is non-lockup. If the end of the shaft has a smooth end, like a manual trans input shaft, it is a lockup. If the trans is still on the engine, you will have to remove the trans pan, and look at the valve body. I would reccommend removeing the trans from the engine, and replaceing the front seal, while it is out of the car.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

Thanks Charrlie,

I am not sure I am going to do it. I stopped by the library today and the Mitchell manual said Chrysler did not use the lockup converter in California in 1980. I may buy the Volare anyway since I need a head and it has a new battery and it looks like a near new starter on it. I can also scavenge the ECU and a bunch of other parts.