Hello everybody. This my first build I've posted on here. I picked up this 1955 desoto late 2012 for momma, but I've been waiting to get my dodge going before starting on the desoto. It was a Georgia car that had made its way to Missouri. The guy we got it from wanted the hemi, but not the car. Momma loved it so now she's got her own car. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
The plan for it is to put a 360 that I had rebuilt for a different project that I don't have anymore. Going to pair the engine to a 727 and a Dakota rear end. Disc brakes up front and some paint and interior work. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Thanks George, I am actually going to use a weighted flex plate. I found one in the junkyard for $10 and its from B&M. Sent from my MB886 using H.A.M.B. mobile app
I started stripping everything out from under the hood. The car had a GM brake booster in it when we got it, but I couldn't leave it. I decided to use a 70's dodge truck booster with a 80's master cylinder. All I had to do was extend the push rod. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App! Next I'm going to start on the front brakes. I am going to try 4x4 Dakota rotors on the original hubs with some sort of calibers.
OK I went to the junk yard this morning and bought a Dakota rotor off a 89 4x4. It is the same bolt pattern and fits over the original brake hub, after removing the drum. I had a spindle off a 48 Chrysler for reference that way I could work on the bench, not on the car. Next is a caliper and bracket. I've used scare bird in the past and his used challenger calipers so, I'll start there. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Thanks wombat, I didn't think it was going to be in good shape but I'll be damn its in good shape. The only rust is in the front floor pans. Not a big deal. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
take some good photos of getting the engine fit down in there and all working.. i have a 53 chrysler windsor that is going to be undergoing a 318 transplant, ive herd they are a bitch to fit in there with the frame horn shape and the steeirng box.. keep the updates coming, pictures are always better
I got a caliper from the part store in town. Got to love small businesses, they had both sides for a 1973 challenger in stock. I made a cardboard template for the spindle and next I'll cut something out of wood. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Certainly can't be harder than the 40s cars, just move the engine an inch or so to the pass. side. And make sure it's the rear sump set up.
OK I got the wood template made. It looks huge, but it looks like it will work. The wood is 7/16 of an inch and room to spare. I have a friend that runs a machine shop, he is going to cut me my brackets out of 3/8 plate steel. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Will do hotrodder. Tomorrow I'm going to drop the 360 in, to check the fit. I don't see I'll have any problems, the hemi was a lot bigger than that small block. The car came with the original hemi mount too. They seem like I can just bolt the right up to the 360. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Good to know George, I'll take pictures tomorrow. I don't think I'll have any problems. I have a rear sump pan and center exit exhaust manifolds. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
OK I got the engine set in the desoto today. I'm not going to leave in there but I wanted to check the fit. The hemi mounts bolt on to the 360, with minor changes. If it was a 318 or 340 the driver side mount would have been perfect. I used a couple washers for spacers. The passenger side will work,but I'm going to weld another tab on it. I'll post a picture of it tomorrow. I still need to rebuild a transmission, but for now I have a junk 904 bolted to it. The engine has plenty of room. I'm using stock center exit exhaust that won't interfere with the steering box. I don't see any problems ahead. I'm going to pull it back out and paint the fire wall and inner fenders. I'm also working on the heater while I'm at it. I picked up a heater motor for a 85 pickup and I'm going to fit that in the heater. That way I don't have to run voltage drop to it. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
OK here is the motor mounts, now done and bolted on the engine. Driver side. passenger side. I had to weld a tab on the passenger side to get all three ears on the block. Its been pretty cold lately, so not much painting getting done. I did receive new floor pans from rock auto. They look good, 18 gauge steel and believe it or not made in the USA. Since I'll be waiting till it gets a little warmer, I'm going to pull the front seat and start on the floor. I hope in a week or two I'm still impressed with the replacement pans. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
You are in luck. 53 is one of the models that a V8 fits into fairly easily. They made the big change to the chassis for a V8 in 1951. It is the old ones, made for a six cylinder, that get crowded.
Thought I would update a little. I pulled the seat out of the car and cleaned the floor. The floor is rusted in the expected spots on the driver side, but it seems weird were it rusted out on the passenger side. Driver side The floors had tons of undercoating on them. Is that factory? My 55 dodge didn't have any on the floor in the cabin. Where can I get body mounts for the car? I haven't checked around yet. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Thanks shadams. I didn't think much of them until we got this one. Its hopefully going to be a cool cruiser and something mamma "the wife" can drive to work. She works at a old burger joint in town that's been there since the late 50's. And the avatar is our 6 month son Maxx Hudson. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Well I've gotten the driver side floor pan cut out and the new one cut to fit. The stamp for the body mount was off a little but it isn't a big deal. The sharpie mark is where it needs to be. While the frames exposed I'm going to coat the top of it with rustoleum, since I won't get another chance. I'm waiting to weld it in because somehow I put a hole in my argon gas hose. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
We had a few warm days this week. I finished the paint under the hood of the car. The car had been painted a dark metallic silver sometime ago. Momma wants to paint it back to that color. The closest I could find is a dark silver that is a Nissan color. I mounted the brake booster all painted, for the last time. I also got the underside of the drivers side floor pan painted and I also sprayed bed liner on it to protect it. I got it tacked in. I still need to finish it then move to the other side. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Got the new wiring harness and other related parts. I'm using a speedway harness and a electronic ignition conversion harness from Mopar performance. Orange ECU box and voltage regulator for a '82 truck. The starter relay is for a '73 dart. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
This weekend was damn cold. It was too cold to get anything done in the garage so I rebuilt the trans in my buddy's shed. Its better insulated than mine. I was disappointed with the Mopar performance overhaul kit. The kit didn't come with the brass/copper bushings for the tail shaft or the filter for the valve body. Now that its done I'm thinking a 518 overdrive would be cool. I've been reading about installing one in an older car, without toggle switches. 73RR has some great info on this. The 727 might just sit for the next project. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
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