Mopar 318 to transfer case

D

DocBon

Member
New guy here, first post and need help.

I'm planning to buy a 74 Scout 2 with a 318 in it. I know it's an automatic and 4wd but not much else other than that. The guy that has it said the front drive shaft wasn't installed when he bought it and that all it needs is new knuckles (I guess he means universals) and it should swap right back in. My question, if this was a straight engine swap to a 318 would there be any other work needed or an adapter for gear ratio to the transfer case?
I'm going to look at this thing tomorrow and I don't want to get stuck with a 4wd that I can't use. Thanks in advance for any help!

Doc
 
Here's the ad write up so you'll know what I know if it will help.

I have for sale a 1974 International Scout II.
This thing is awesome and I hate to sell it. You got to do what you got to do though! I have too many projects going on. The Scout has a 4" Rough Country lift, has brand new 31" thunder m/t xtreme mud tires on it, brand new bushings all the way around, new disc brakes up front. The motor is a mopar 318 with a Holley 750 4 barrel carburetor. Fresh install, motor runs strong with no leaks and no smoke. Just installed a brand new sony bluetooth cd player and two sony 6 1/2 front speakers. Sounds good and has handsfree cell phone option. Body is straight with no rust. This Scout has a tan primered paint job, with a blck grill and black steel wheels. This Scout looks mean, I get thumbs up everywhere I go! Just trying to get what I have in it. Don't miss out on this antique, cool, tough, lifted, deer camp special! They don't make vehicles like this anymore. A steal at this price!
Now some of the bad...gauges don't work ( they do sell a painless kit, that will replace all new gauges dash panel new gauge kit combo - International Scout parts - Scout II parts - your authorized IH lightline dealer ) could sooner or later use new shocks, not bad just a little worn. The shaft is taken out for the front differential to make the 4 wheel drive work. Everything is there, will just need new knuckles and installation and I do have the shaft.
 
Welcome to the forum. Mopar engine/transmission combos have been successfully transplanted into Scout II's numerous times, but it is not a direct, bolt-in swap. The first obvious begged question is, why did they not install the front prop shaft? Universal joints are childishly simply to install...if that is truly the reason...so why not install them and finish the job? My cynical mind is wondering if there might not be more to this story then they are letting on. Try to get some more specifics from the current owner about the swap. You need to know how the trans is mated to the 4x4 transfer case. Did they modify the mopar 727 to accept the sii texas pattern Dana 20 t-case? Or did they install a Jeep round pattern Dana 300 t-case?
 
Thanks for the reply scoutboy74. To be completely honest, I'm a newb to 4wd and scouts so, how do I tell one transfer case from the other? I talked to the current owner earlier and I think he knows about as much as I do, lol. I'll get the chance to climb under this thing myself tomorrow so if I know what to look for that will help a lot. What would be cons/pros of either t-case? I'm assuming the driveshaft will need to be lengthened or shortened but I remember something about tranny swaps in 4wds and getting the rpm's off between the two axles.
 
Oh, I did notice from the pics on the post, the automatic shifter has been relocated and moved back. The 4wd shifter is still in the stock location though.
 
Here's a pic of what I'm talking about with the shifters. Not sure if this helps much or not. I did some more digging based on the info you gave me so I know what to look for now. The extra dog ears or not on the adapter plate. Now for the pros and cons!
 

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How to read a used Scout sales ad, in red.

docbon said:
here's the ad write up so you'll know what I know if it will help.


I have for sale a 1974 International Scout II. yes, you and 50 other people. What is so special about yours?
This thing is awesome and I hate to sell it. You got to do what you got to do though! I've heard that one before. I have too many projects going on. who doesn't? Have you ever finished one? Certainly not this one. the Scout has a 4" Rough Country lift, has brand new 31" thunder m/t xtreme mud tires on it, brand new bushings all the way around, which bushings? Body or spring? Or both? new disc brakes up front. What axles? What ratio? the motor is a mopar 318 with a Holley 750 4 barrel carburetor. Fresh install, How many miles?, what is the engines history? Motor runs strong with no leaks and no smoke. ok, I will be checking that as well. just installed a brand new sony bluetooth cd player and two sony 6 1/2 front speakers.so? I don't need expensive stereo equipment in a 32 year old 4x4 truck. Sounds good and has handsfree cell phone option. My cell phone has had hands free for 10 years. body is straight with no rust. ok, I will be checking that out with a flashlight and mirror, in daylight to confirm. Fyi, I know where to look. this Scout has a tan primered paint job, with a black grill and black steel wheels. This Scout looks mean, I get thumbs up everywhere I go! are you sure those are thumbs? just trying to get what I have in it. rarely happens unless it was given to you. don't miss out on this antique, cool, tough, lifted, deer camp special! deer camp special is code for not-streetworthy or non-usable on the highway. They don't make vehicles like this anymore. we know, 21-October-1980 was the last day they made these. Your '74 is six years older than that. a steal at this price! what price?
Now some of the bad...gauges don't work ( they do sell a painless kit, that will replace all new gauges dash panel new gauge kit combo - International Scout parts - Scout II parts - your authorized IH lightline dealer ) so in other words, the Scout needs a complete rewire and all new gauges. could sooner or later use new shocks, (needs them now! Current shocks are too short due to the lift springs.) Not bad just a little worn. The shaft is taken out for the front differential to make the 4 wheel drive work. 4wd doesn't work at all with the front drive shaft out. Probable drive shaft angle issue or axle ratio mis-match. everything is there, will just need new knuckles and installation and I do have the shaft. simple problem, why can't you fix it before trying to sell it? must be more of a problem than you are stating or your mech skills are minimal...or both.
Click to expand...

Look at this Scout in daylight, not raining.
Take a light and mirror for inspections.
Look closely at the engine & trans and tc mounting.
Especially welds.
Drive it like you will normally drive it. Make a few panic stops, (not in traffic) and see how it handles w/brakes & steering.
Take someone with you that knows Scout II & IH light line vehicles.
Hope this helps you.
 
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Thanks 1975ih200. Just waiting for the guy to call and let me know he's home. I have a sneaky suspicion that the axle ratio or something is off. If it's not horribly expensive to fix I don't mind that so much, just as long as it can be fixed. Would this need new gearing placed in the front diff or tc or would I be looking more at a complete axle swap? He's asking $2,000 for this rig so I figure I'm not going to be losing out too much if I get it home and it falls apart on me. From the pics it's a mostly clean, good looking rig. I plan to use it as a daily/camping truck with an occasional trailer load here and there.
 
Scott brings up a lot of great points. You need to be careful in terms of this particular vehicle being your first Scout purchase. It has been heavily modified from original, which when done correctly isn't an issue. We can't ascertain that properly at this stage. The biggest thing he highlighted from the ad is the part about the seller wanting to get out of it what he has into it. These rigs rarely if ever qualify as break even or money making prospects. Even if he has the receipts to prove that he sunk x amount of dollars into it, does not mean that anyone else is obligated to pay that amount or more, to take it off his hands. Use some pawn stars negotiating skills and remember that there are other fish in the sea.

Either transfer case discussed will get the job done. The d300 has a lower low range ratio than the d20, which is handy for reducing your crawl ratio. If there is a gear ratio mismatch between the front and rear differentials, you would not want to run it in 4x4 at all. Damage would ensue from doing so. Even if the seller doesn't have the answers himself, he knows who he had do the work. That person would be able to shed some light. Somebody knows something and they're not talking. This deal just seems fishy to me.
 
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