Projects 41 plymouth coupe 392 hemi build thread

I'm working as fast as I can to prevent it from going on too long. Only two very minor obstacles are holding me back. Time and money. Or am I the only one here who has this problem? Then again, I only started building the car early this year.....

 

Yeah - it is the same old problems we all face. And if you actually have a little bit more of one, it is hard to have enough of the other to go with it. My other problem is focus - multiple projects going at the same time . . . shifting priorities.

 

Tomorrow I'm going to finish the welds on the transmission tunnel. Luckily I have Martin helping me with this, he's the expert and teacher, I'm just the student. Hey, got to learn somehow. From there we're going to make plans on some of the other metal work to be done on the inside. Will post some pics when I get home tomorrow.

 

First ,GREAT JOB,that machine is super bad.I think your weird for leaving it in the shop lol .I would have it in my living room,on dollys then to bed room for sleepy time.Kidding about the bed room.lol keep up the great work,you have one fine car there,good luck...................YG

 

If it was up to me, the engine would be in the house too. The wife has been very relaxed about me building this car, I just didn't want to push my luck. You know the old saying; "a happy wife....."

 

Got the tunnel completely welded up, including the lower pieces which will be bolted to the floor pan in order to make the whole transmission tunnel removable.

It's taken quite a lot of time to get to this tunnel to where it is now, but I'm pleased with the result. Here's a few photo's I took today.

 

very nice! It's always fun to step back and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

 

Here are the latest pics of the tunnel in the car. Only need to drill some holes to be able to mount it to the floor. Looking good!

 

You're right there! There's nothing like thinking and fabricating something from scratch and it actually works out. Happy with how the tunnel turned out. Even though it always takes twice as long as initially anticipated.

 

Good work,it looks like nice and fits nicely too.

 

Thanks for the compliment. The fit is pretty good, but still need to lower the flange on the bottom of the tunnel slightly in a few places for it to have complete contact with floor. Only minor work, but this will probably take me an hour before I'm completely satisfied.

 

That is some mighty fine work, keep going

 

still watching, still looking good! hell yeah!

 

Thanks guys. Going to work on it some more next week, with of course the necessary pics and relevant info. Have a good weekend!

 

Thanks claymore. Trying to put practicality in the first place, art second. I do believe that if you're going to do something, you may as well do it properly the first time.

Toying with the idea of painting the tunnel and the lower half of the dash. If the tunnel WERE to be constructed/fabricated in a crappy fashion, I'd have no other option than to cover it with carpet. Maybe I'll need some sound proofing on the inside of the tunnel if I'm going to paint it though....

 

Nice tread you have here. I'm new on the forum. I’ve got a -41 DeSoto Business Coupe, and bought a 392 Hemi, that will be mounted this winter. Do you have some pics of the engine and the steering column? I'm wondering how tight it would be to fit the steering around the engine... It is a tight fit with the chevy 350 I’ve got now and is curious how tight it will be with the hemi…

 

Wow great build and from a fellow dutchman as well! Keep up the good work and hope to see it somewhere on the road real soon.

 

I haven't positioned the steering column in the right place yet. Clearance appears to be ok but won't know for sure yet. The engine is placed slightly higher due to the Z in the front, giving me some extra clearance along the headers. Are you running a M2 set up or the original set up? Where in Norway are you?

 

I'm running original set up, I live in Ålesund, I will post some photos when I start to dismantle the car. Now we are building a garage for the winter.

 

The problems you may encounter are clearance issues with regard to steering and headers. Both can be overcome. These engines weigh a fair bit so I would suggest using a (plastic) mock up 392 to make life a lot easier.

Get in contact with Stefan T(sweden) here on the Hamb, he's done something similar to what you will be doing. Good luck and keep us posted of the progression.

 

Thanks for the compliments DoubleGoggles. I would really like to have on the road before Vasteras, Sweden (early July) next year. Not sure if I'll make it, but I'm sure as hell going to try.

 

With the help of 3 neighbours, we just moved the engine to inside my house. I was getting sleepless nights of it being stolen from my garage, considering my insurance company only covers 3500 usd. Inside the house the 392 is at least fully covered, and it looks damn good too. The pics came out a bit fuzzy due to the flash and chrome, but you get the general idea. Time to sleep at last!

 

crazy build. i just most of my day reading from page one.man awesome job!

 

Thanks Glendale. I hope to have some more updates on the metal work soon. Unfortunately my buddy Martin cut his hand with an angle grinder and hopes to have the stitches out soon. Without him as a teacher I'm fairly lost.... Will try to do some work this weekend.

 

very nice

 

Lay a piece of round glass over the top of the stacks and make a coffee table out of it. That would make a great end-table in the living room.

Might as well use it while you're finishing up the work on the car.

 

I actually toyed with the idea, but just a little afraid that my buddies will spill their beers on it. Don't want to push it with my wife either, glad she at least let me bring the engine inside the house....She actually thinks it looks good!

 

Man, that engine is to purty to hide under a hood! You need a clear one!

 

I couldn't sleep just thinking about that engine loping inside that '41.

Great work, Eric!