Just Bought A 54 Savoy , Going To Rebuild The Flat Six .. Any Advice Is Greatly Appreciated . Pics Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
1st off..."Rat Rod" isn't an approved term on this Board, implies shitty work & lack of safety here. Use search, there are threads here on hopping up & dressing up the flatty & other aspect of the 49-54 Mopars. Quality Engineered Components (QEC) "73RR" here on the board, has adaptors for putting a modern A/T behind it if you want one. Looks like a solid car to start.
Yes, lose the Hy-Drive. I am familiar with them from a buddy's car "back in the day". They are neither fish nor fowl, not fully manual nor automatic. It has fluid coupling AND a manual clutch, but doesn't shift itself, takes off in high (3rd gear of a 3 spd box) unless you choose to shift it through the gears. Also has a messy common oil supply for the engine and fluid coupling that takes about 12 quarts to fill it at oil change time. The advice from George (above post) is good. Either a smaller series Torqueflite or a GM automatic (aluminum case Powerglide or Turbo 350) would make a much better driver. Other than that, the car does look solid and has tinted glass to boot.
Thanks For The Advice Fellas ... No More RR out Of This Guy .... So I Shouldn't Rebuild the flat 6 ?? Too Much Hassle ?? Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
not saying that.......those are good engines......it's the transmission you have that you would benefit from replacing.
It's a matter of what you want. Some think it's cool to add a 2X1 intake, split ex mans, ect. If that'll make you happy with an engine that still won't have a lot of zip go for it. If it was me...I'd drop a 318 in it, update the front with a shock relocation & disc brake kit, modern rear axle, ect. Just depends on if you want to keep it for the long haul, or if you tend to not keep things for long maybe not. Lot of Threads on dropping in a 318/360 & on updating the front end of the 46-54 Mopars. Drivability would be improved by a newer tranny.
Some Of Those Ideas Sound Awesome , But I'm On A Budget So I'm Thinking Rebuilding The flathead and adding two carbs on it . Now My Question Is the transmission What Would Fit That Won't need too much modification on what I already have ??? Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
There's the 2 carb intake, split ex mans, Fenton alloy heads & finned dress up parts that show up occaisionally. If he doesn't weigh in again PM 73RR about his adaptor.
If you are on a budget you can keep the flathead engine and Hydrive (Notice flatHEAD not flat engine). The Hydrive Plymouth used a special engine block with oil passages to feed the torque converter, oversize oil pan, as well as the special trans, and a different floor pan and firewall to the 3 speed model. In other words, you pretty well have to swap out the engine and trans to get rid of the Hydrive. And, there are problems with putting anything in there except the stock flatHEAD six (no room). I have worked on several of those engines and chances are you can have it running like a honey with a little work, and not very much expense. They usually don't need much to get them going. The down side is, they are not a fast engine and the trans is no way a performance trans. You will be able to keep up with normal traffic and cruise on the hiway at 60 or 70 but don't plan on winning any races. Maybe against a fat guy on a Rascal scooter, but look out for fast kids on bicycles lol.
How many miles on it? I would start by getting it running, doing a compression test and checking the oil pressure. This will give you the info you need on the engine condition. I don't change anything on the engine to get it going. Basically go over the ignition system, be sure you have sparks, be sure you have compression, feed it a little gas and see what happens. If it has been out of service for a year or more don't trust the gas, if it is bad it can ruin the engine. Either be sure it is ok or just disconnect the gas line and feed the fuel pump from a motorboat gas tank or gas can.
One of my earliest engine swaps (1962) was a 270 Dodge hemi into my buddy's '53 Plymouth Convertible, the one I mentioned above that originally had a Hy-Drive. Had to move the steering gear to the left about an inch and a half for starter clearance, otherwise there was room......318/360 Mopar, small block Chevy, small block Ford, etc.
Like 73RR said, check out www.p15-d24.com. I have a '53 Suburban wagon. Still running the flathead 6 it had when I bought it. Only thing I did to the motor was put on some Langdon headers. Fast? Hell No. Dependable and easy to work on? Hell yes.
Ok Update ... Motor Is No Good Missing Bed Pan, Water In It, Just Not Dealing With It. So Ive Decided To Go With A 350 Small Block .. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
A true kustom doesn't show with it's hood open anyways.... Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
As big a Mopar fan as I am, I vote for the Chev swap. Simply because they fit easier than a Mopar engine, and if you have one or can get one cheap it is probably the easiest and cheapest V8 to put in. Years ago I helped a friend hot rod a 37 Plymouth couple. He had a 350 Chev and a 340 Dodge on hand. We test fitted both, and I was surprised how much better the Chev fit. It seemed to have just enough clearance around the steering, starter, exhaust etc where the 340 was just a little too big. Hydrive is an advantage, because they are a long bulky transmission. Hydrive models came with different firewall and floor pan to make room. You should be able to use an overdrive type trans without too many clearance issues. By the way, get set to swap the rear axle too. Reason is, your hand brake is on the transmission. This will give you a better rear axle ratio. The old one is too low. The easiest way to get a hand brake is swap to a modern rear axle. I think Jeeps have a suitable rear axle, measure the width to be sure. We did put the 340 in, after getting a compact starter, different exhaust manifold, different oil pan etc but the Chev would have been a cinch, comparatively speaking.
Some estimates are that 90% of rods have a SBC. Observations @ car shows show that's probably about it. It's gotten to the point of being sick to death of seeing them literally in everything regardless of brand. So..everybody has a bellybutton, & everybody has a SBC, so...SBC=bellybutton engine. 37s are smaller. 318 will fit this with only minor fender trimming & a dent in the firewall(typically). It's not all that difficult to find 70s-80s Vans & Pick-ups cheap that also come with the rear sump set up to drop into the 46-54 cars. The 65-67 (or so) C Body axle is a bolt in on most Mopars from @ least 40 through 60. With a spring perch relocation Duster, 781-3 Mustang, Explorer & many others are the right width.
Dude doesn't seem to like small block chevy engines.... I guess because everybody has them. When you think about it, why does everybody have one? 1) cheap 2) reliable 3) decent power on a budget Seems ok to me! Go for it! Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
If your going to do an engine swap....what's wrong with a Windsor motor and C4? I have a 289 in mine, it fits really well and is different.
If you want to rebuild a flathead Dodge, or other Chrysler product don't overlook Vintage Power Wagons. They have lots of parts, and they interchange with car motors. NOS pistons for $75 a set of 6, how can you beat that?
If you want to be like everyone else....hell sell the Plymouth & buy a tri-50s Chevy or Camaro, just like everyone else
54HyDrive, Put whatever engine in your car that you like, it's your car. Don't just do something because of this or that, or to be different, or because George is sick to death of seeing them (hahaha!!!). There are tons of options. Do your research. Do what is in your ability and budget. Good luck and keep us posted! Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
^^^^^^^I agree with this advice, even though I also agree with George about 'The Belly Button Engine'. But, if you have limited experience and this is your first build, it makes sense to do something that is relatively easy, yet requires attention to the basics, but WILL get finished. You can pursue something a little more adventurous in future builds.
Thanks For All The Input ... I'll Post Some Pics Once I Have The Motor. And It Is My First Build Wish Me Luck . Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
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