Projects Updates on my 33 Plymouth PD Coupe Build

a little help with the inspiration 33 Plymouth dual quad 440 727 good luck

 

Nice!

Dave

 

I have been bustin' my butt for quite awhile trying to get this '33 running in time for Bonneville Speedweek and finally realized I wasn't going to make it or at worst was going to die trying! I backed off it for awhile but am now back on it again. Trans is freshened up and installed to engine and both installed in frame. I modified an old Hurst shifter mount to fit the LaSalle and the frame, which didn't have much extra room. Clearanced around the trans mount in the X-member to insure it wasn't going to bump steel on steel. Torch and a big ball peen hammer, then dressed up with an angle grinder did the trick. Here are some pics of the engine and trans installed. I also gusseted the rear hairpin mounts to make sure they are sturdy enough. Boxed the front shock/headlight mounts as well. Clutch and brake pedals will bolt in after body is on frame. I built a new floor for the stock battery box as it was missing. Simply used some plate steel bent to fit and slid in place, nearly the same as stock. The dead 6 volt battery is just a mock up.



Here is the opened up X member and trans mount. Stock LaSalle mount bolts there.



I will be taking my '31 Model A Coupe to Bonneville this year. Here's a current pic of it.



Looks like next year for the '33 Plymouth going to the Salt! I do plan on driving it before this winter though so stay tuned.

Dave

 

Nice progress. See you on the salt!

 

You are making good progress Dave. Sure wish I could be with you this year.

 

Dang !...Know how frustrating it is to not make an event deadline...Been there done that.
BUT, it will be done and cruising shortly thereafter.
Keep on keeping on Dave and enjoy the FLATS !!

 

Too bad on the 33' Dave but this "A" is gorgeous and will sure will make for a fun drive. Besides, not being rushed will make the initial start-up on the 33' even more enjoyable. Thanks again for spending time with me and my wife when we stopped by in May.

- EM

 

Thanks Randy and will do!

You are more than welcome EarlyMopar. Bummer is, as usual, I have forgotten you name.

Dave

 

I remembered! Greg right?

 

Correct!

- EM

 

Any updates Dave?

 

Love those valve covers!

 

Any progress on the coupe?

 

WC, I guess the real answer is no, not much. Not getting it done in time to take to Bonneville took away my incentive. However, the body is sitting on the frame and the whole car is inside the shop. I've done a few little things like gather up a bench seat for it and did a valve job on the '54 heads (with '54 4bbl intake). Spent a month or more sick this winter, that didn't help. Life keeps getting in the way and I keep getting older. Weather is getting better and so am I. Hope to get the thing together this year though.

I also bought a new radiator for it and did a few more little things here and there.

Thanks,
Dave

 

Dave, thanks for the update! Hope you are feeling better.
Can you tell me more about your new radiator? Off the shelf or custom made? I'm gonna be needing one for my sedan soon and not sure what to do.

 

I finally got back to doing some work on this! Built the grill shell and radiator mounts. Hard to see what's going on but it has a Model A type crossmember and I am using a '28-9 Model A type radiator. The bolts are just poked in the holes to hold it in place. I ended up using Ford type radiator bolts with spring etc to mount it. Guess I didn't take pics after cleaned up and painted. Taking a little while to remember where I was on this one! My avatar '29 AV8 and now the '32 Ford 4dr. have got in the way. It's time, I gotta get this one done.

Dave

 

Between lower back surgery, physical therapy, nerve root blocks and then my wife falling and breaking her arm 3 months ago, I have been getting SOME work done on the Plymouth. Got some exhaust welded up and some 4ft. straight pipes hung on it temporarily and have been hooking everything up in preparation of starting the engine after all this time! Set the distributor in correctly and set the timing close. Starter installed after cleaning and bushings greased. It cranks the engine over! That's a good sign I think. I am hoping to start it tomorrow, weather permitting. Been working on shift levers. Got 2nd and 3rd lever and rod done. Installed driveshaft. Bought and installed a longer drag link tube as 1st one was shorter than I liked. Installed a '32 Ford radiator cap to plug the hole in the grill shell. Depends on the weather if I install the new Tanks gas tank and run a line or if I just run a hose from the pump to a 5 gallon gas can.

Here are some pics from today.

Dave

 

When you started your build you had headers for the Hemi, but now you have manifolds. Why the switch?

 

Good question! You pay attention! These heads are the small round exhaust ports, small intake ports and small valves. I have a set of 1954 heads with all the big stuff. The headers match the big ports and will not seal on the small ports. This was a running engine I pulled from a New Yorker. I am freshening the '54 heads and the '54 WCFB 4bbl carb and intake and will go on it down the road. When the heads and intake get changed, the headers will go on. I pulled the pan, valve covers, intake and valley pan and cleaned everything and stuck it back together. I'd like to do a cam at the same time as the bigger heads and intake too.

Dave

 

Sounds like a good plan. Just in case you don't know 51 to 54 hemi cam shafts are different then the later cams. Regrinding a stock core or changing to a later cam core with a matching timing chain and sprockets are the only two options. Just something to consider before making your planned upgrades. By the way, cool coupe!

 

Yes @slayer , I'm aware of that but thanks.

Dave

 

WOW cool built Just get her running put the seat in and call her DONE !!!!!!!!!

 

Thanks Vern! Didn't get to work on it yesterday so not running yet. Gotta go pick up a Model A bed today. It's always one thing or another!

Dave

 

There's always tomorrow

 

Hey It's a new Year get to work> Is it running yet?

 

Went camping for 3 nights for New Years and also my grandson's 9th birthday! Wife and I plan to see if it will run tomorrow. She wants to video it.

Dave

 

Cool !!!

 

Is it running Yet?

 

Nothing beats camping with the grandsons, not even hot rods.

 

Except camping with the grandson AND the hot rods!

Dave