Plymouth 48 alternatives...

Hi!

I´m planning to put a V8 in my 48 Plymouth (now a straight 6) ,do you have any ideas of what other chassis that I can use for my setup, maybe some 70-80´s chrysler, dodge plymouth chassis?
Let me hear your ideas!

 

I have a dakota subframe under my 49 dodge, putting in a 383 big block. I'm making a new firewall and floor now, engine had to be recessed. Stock suspension is good,and there are upgardes you can do, like shock mount relocation off the upper A arm, dropped spindles, and disk brakes. How about keeping the flathead, do a search here, theres some real cool flattys.

 

I though real hard about going with a small block Mopar in my 48 Club Coupe but then decided to stick with the flathead and I am glad I did.

Did some upgrading with 0.060 overbore, Offenhauser intake and 2 Carter/Webber 2bbl carbs, cast iron headers, HEI ignition, and an overdrive transmission from a 53 Plymouth. Use it as my daily driver and have had absolutely no problems once I got the OD wiring in order.

Stands out among all the V8s at a show and starts a lot of conversations.

Regardless of if you go with a V8 or stick with the 6 you should check out the P15-D24 website http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/index.php?referrerid=1152 There are some members there with old Mopars in your part of the world.

Here is a picture of my flathead just before it went in.

 

there are a lot of easier ways to do it besides a frame swap.
1. go flatty, see above.
2. go bigger flatty, chryslers are bigger than the plymouths, and they did some that way in Canada.
3. Small block mopar. See shadowcustoms here or his website http://shadowmtkustomz.blogspot.com/
4. if you want a frame swap, take a look at joel torres here. Go Dakota if you want to keep it all mopar. See dakota frame swaps thread here.
Research first!!!

 

I think the fourms need to make the search tab bigger and maybe red type so people can see it, seems nobody checks the search function first. not just on this forum but on most others as well, their is a wealth of info if you just check first. keep it with the flattie and up grade the brakes and shocks and it will work great and cost a whole lot less and not take near as long to complete.

 

Been running the stock frame with my 440 powered 48 Plymouth for 20 years. You will need to upgrade the brakes and steering but that easy compared to a chassis swap.

Might be hard to get "in the weeds" but at a normal stance or a little lower the stock frame is just fine.

CHEAP BRAKES HERE:
home.roadrunner.com/~dndrodshop/disc

 

My 48 with the 440 and with the volare front clip will go low enough you can't get up a driveway, crossmember about 1" off the ground!

Your link don't work!

 

Try this one.

http://home.roadrunner.com/~dndrodshop/disc.htm

 

Thanks everyone for your ideas, now I have a few ideas to think about!
Do you guys know any website with a lot of facts/parts for my 6?

 

As hkestes said go to that site there is a ton of good info to be had there.

 

The original chassis is pretty good with a great suspension. Just relocate the upper shock mount to the frame and it'll ride really smooth. You can lower the front 2 inches by taking the lower spring mount off the top of the lower a-arm and welding it to the bottom of the arm. I'm also working on a cheap disc brake setup. here's what I have so far. hopefully it'll be complete by the end of the weekend.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=356710

I plan on putting a 350 small block chevy in my 49. The mounts are pretty simple and you can use the stock steering and suspension.

 

I saw a guy's '48 Dodge, and he used an early Nova/Camaro subframe. It was the perfect width, and he welded the whole thing right underneath the original frame, after cutting off the front.

 

Don't do the nova, they are ugly and a pain.

 

If you stay with the Flat 6 then you need to talk with George Asche Sr, 814.354.2621. George has probably forgotten more that most have ever learned about the 6&8's. George can provide split exhaust, multi-carb intake, overdrive trans and such.


.

 

After watching HKESTES pics of his engine I just wanted to keep my Flat6, nice work!

 

Don't blame you...that is one good lookin' engine!

 

This is a great thread - especially for someone who owns a 49 Plymouth and is thinking of doing these same things!!! Awesome input across the board, and I love the thread from domepiece... gonna save me a chunk of change when I upgrade!

 

That Flat 6 is a real nice engine - looks great HKestes....how did she run ?

Rat