Features The 1955-1956 Plymouth and Dodge Thread

Got my 56 running beautifly just in time for winter.

 

Good job! Is your aluminum radiator an off-the-shelf item, or custom made? I'll need one for my '56 and if one of the aftermarket companies already makes one that will fit without modification, it will save me some work.

I'm also curious about the transmission. Did you adapt the pushbutton PowerFlite to the LA engine, or use a different shifter?

 

I've seen a few offered on eBay, that from looks alone may fit, I've not yet pulled the trigger on one yet though.


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Yeah, I bought it on eBay. It fit perfectly & works well, it also has a trans cooler in the radiator.
The car was a 3 on the tree I home made a linkage & detent to use the original column shifter.


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in my 56 I'm running a poly 1964 Poly 318 and a 1964 push button torqueflite operated from the stock 56 Plymouth push buttons. I'm also running an aluminum radiator that I think is from a 63 Plymouth, but I'd need to double check my parts listing.

 

I read your whole blog between yesterday and today. Very cool and very nice to see another 56 being built..I sure feel your frustrations in building hot rods, but if it were easy everyone would do it. I was able to keep my pushbuttons by using a 64 pushbutton torqueflite and I used the stock 2 speed push button setup with modification. So it still looks completely stock.. I haven't done anything with the park cable yet. I liked the way you made the park lever under the shifter pod. I also like the way you are building the console. Looks really nice...And if you are ever in NJ, try and make a visit to Jim Rawa where you got your gold inserts from. He has quite a collection of cars.

 

Thanks for stopping to read my blog. It was a real disappointment to have to shelve my attempt to create a "factory-look" three-speed shifter with a Park lever. I haven't given up the project, but it was time to concentrate on getting the car running.

 

My 56 plymouth savoy 3.8 L 230ci flatty project love this car!

 

I feel your pain...I struggled with that for awhile too because my car is all stock inside and I didn't want a shifter sticking out of the floor.

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These are photos of what I did to use the stock column 3 on the tree shifter. Which I then made shift linkage using mostly original parts (reversing the column spring etc). It works well.


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My welds are shitty (flux core weld) . It's a bit ugly but it works great! & I didn't have to mount a floor shifter. & it was next to free! Pull the lever at you select a gear & go!


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Very creative!

 

Very nice way to build your own column shift..nice !!!

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Those that have used lowering blocks in the rear, where did you source them and what width did you use? I'm looking for a 2" drop on my '55 Plymouth Savoy.

Thanks


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When I got my rear blocks I just got generic 2 inch lowering blocks off the shelf at the local auto parts store.

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I buy blocks from Speedway because they offer 1/2" increments to get the stance
"just right".

 

I need help with a engine swap in my 56 plymouth savoy want to pull the 230cid and drop in a 318 based 408 from sumitt racing, any help would be appreciated, will I have fitment issues etc.?

 

Are you running power steering?...That's where I had fitment issues. I also had fitment issues for the fan to rad but it could all be stemmed from trying to learn my power steering.

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It was a tighter fit than I thought it'd be. I don't have power steering though. I shimmed the motor & trans in the car to where i wanted them, then I made lucite models of the mounts then made them from steel & welded them in place.


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I cut the mount tabs out of a v8 chassis and put them in my chassis and the used donut mounts.

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You will also need v8 steering linkage so you can clear the oil pan.

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That is a great idea Sperduton. I cut some out of a 83 5th Ave but I found they weren't as nice as the ones you had. & im broke so I just made due.


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geez.....you guys are killing me on these engine swaps..........

 

Wallyriogo I used a rear end out of a 65' coronet fit perfect. Just had to move the The leaf spring Mounts.


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Anyone know of a '55 or 56 Plymouth or Dodge CONVERTIBLE parts car on the planet? I need trunk hinges. Must be from a convertible.
DeSoto and Chrysler are NOT same.
Thanks.

 

Gee - X - haven't seen a convert parts car or close in my years of scouting Texas yards - could we modify a hardtop - think that would be close - there's a Dodge HRTP up in Sunset just north of Decatur....

 

I was thinking and hoping the hardtop hinges could be modified but they are very VERY different. But thanks for the thought. I've been to Trenton Browne's great yard!

 

Still looking for trunk hinges for my '56 Dodge convertible. Thanks.