Put a newer transmission with that newer engine

Question:

I’m working on a few updates to my 1940 Dodge Pickup and I really enjoy your magazine. I put a higher-speed rear end in it from a 1972 Charger and an updated drive shaft was built in a machine shop. I also have a disc brake kit coming for the front end. Now I’m wondering if there is an adapter made to bolt a newer-style 318 V-8 to the original three-speed manual floor shift transmission? I like using the original-style clutch and brake pedals and three-speed on the floor and I’d like to retain that setup.

Answer:

The vast majority of hot rod, street rod, and resto rod builders don’t want to do what you’re trying to do, namely bolt a vintage transmission to a more modern engine. Instead, they want to bolt a modern transmission to a vintage engine or install a modern engine and transmission. I could not find a source for an offthe-shelf adapter that would enable you to mate your 1940 Dodge three-speed with a modern 318 cid V-8.

If you’re willing to invest enough money, you can have a machine shop fabricate an adapter for you. As an alternative, consider installing a modern transmission along with the newer 318 engine and then adapting your pickup truck’s original pedals and shifter to the updated transmission. That would amount to adapting and/or fabricating clutch and shifter linkage, which might be easier and less expensive than fabricating an adapter plate to join your old transmission with a newer engine.