I also do not think I would clip a 39 and up Mopar car. I've included the info to clearify what some of the others has said or questioned. My 35 was a straight axle car, and out 54 truck was also a straight axle. A 318 is a good motor, I think it is one of the better motors produced! You can build some seroius power into a 318, but with only a few modifications they perform very well. 318 are usually not high winding motors, unless it has some pretty seroius modifications, 4,500-5,000 RPM is just about all the useable RPMs, which is just fine for a street motor. Unless you plan on cranking it over 4,000 RPM on a regular b***is, resist what everyone tells you, you do not have to swap out the "small port" 318 heads to make power. The small port 318 heads have MUCH better throdel responce then the big port 360 heads, esspecially below around 3,500 RPM. 318 heads run out of air about 4,500 but how often will you be above that on the street? If you plan on doing a high rpm motor, I would probably not spend the money on a 318. A 360 would be a better starting point. A 360 is a long stroke small block with big head ports and bigger valves then a 318. 360s in stock form are a little clumsy at low rpm but start to come on as rpm increases, they are considered a torquey motor. Add in the right parts and they can come alive. I sold my 35 a few years ago. My pickup has a 360 in it, because that was what I had laying around at the time. My son has a 360 in his car, because he intends on um, going fast. Currently his 360 has a small cam, 4bbl, headers, and 3:55 gears. My 35 had a small cam, 4bbl, iron manifolds, and 3:23 gears. He thinks my 35 was a little faster then his 47 is now until the speed reaches 90-100 mph. Both cars weigh about the same. That probably will change with the future plans for the 47. gene
I don't think that I would need the get up of a tweaked 360. Anymore I am just a cruiser or the occasional bark off of the line just to keep the people next to me on their toes. Thanks for the extra info on the 318!
A lot of people like the Volare-etc suspension. Another MOPAR swap is the Dakota Pickup. I think it has rack and pinion. Many of them had V8's.
Gene, how does your son like the 3:55's in his car? I wanted to put them in mine and with the overdrive I figure they would be like 2:76 on the highway. KC, invest in the Mopar Performance small block engine book. There is alot of good info in them. I have the 8th edition Engine manual that covers all motors. It covers every section of the motor from induction to oiling. later plmczy
Pluczy, Funny you should ask, he and I were just talking about that this afternoon. In his words "Going down the highway it seems like it should be shifting once more. I've already slid the shifter into neutril to be sure it wasn't in second." He really likes the 3:55s around town. We also talked about about an overdrive. He is thinking about doing some form of forced induction, but at this point he is not sure what he wants to do. The 47 is going into storage for the winter soon, he plans on saving up some cash and figure out what he will do for next season. I'll just wait and see what he comes up with. Gene
[ QUOTE ] Here is one GOOD reason for buying that car you have found .. They sure look cool when done right !! [/ QUOTE ] Hey! Thats my car! Thanks for posting the picture Klazurfer! I'm running a hopped up 54'flathead 6(Fenton head, headers, intake) with 3 speed and a 8 3/4 rearend w/ 3.55:1. The front suspension is stock w/ 2 coils cut and stepped lower A-arms and stock front brakes. It's lowered 4" in back. It rides OK but I have major scrubline issues. On the same note, the brakes work OK, but not very well when they're hot. If you want to get get your's really low I would recommend mustang II type or volare type front suspension, although I'm not sure if volare might be to wide? I know for sure that a nova/camaro clip would be too wide. My car is way too low for the stock suspension and I am considering a mustang II. I drove this car everyday for about 7 years, but it doesn't get out much anymore. It's mostly an around town car now. Seeing a picture of it and reading this post has got me thinking more about updating it(mechanically). Maybe one of these days I'll get back on it, I've got a lot of memories in this car.
My 40 isn't a custom but I love it. It has frenched Cad tail lights and a frenched antenna. The front end is in the weeds. The bumpers are removed front and rear and the panels are smoothed.
Tom- your ply has a great stance! I really like the look. primerden- what are you using for your front end?
Tom, first off your car is nice, I like it. Second, do you have any problems with your turning radius? Any problems with your tires rubbing the fenders? I'd like to get my 40 to sit like that. Could I get away with running a rim with a little more offset to counteract the width of the firebird subframe? Thanks,later shawn
Tom, I have admired your car greatly since the tiny little photo appeared in Hop Up. Glad to see you on the board. Still got that sweet little T?
Plmczy, I don't have any turning radius problems. The stock frontend is narrow enough that I have plenty of room between the tires and wheelwells. I'm running 5" wheels with 5.60-15 firestones in front. Your firebird frontend looks about as wide as the nova/camaro type frontend. I have a friend that nova clipped a 41 coupe several years ago and he ran 5" wheels with a deep offset. His ended up being about as low as mine and although his wheels were still out a bit, they didn't seem to rub. Also, I think someone makes narrowed A-arms for the nova/camaro clips, maybe they would work on your firebird clip? Crease, thanks for the compliment. That "T" roadster was actually an "A" roadster, and no I don't have it anymore, but I've got plenty of other projects to take it's place. Tom
KCsledz - I have a Fatman front end with Mustang II spindles and disc brakes. It sits pretty low. I s****e the bottom of the grille backing out of my driveway. It has a 318 and a 727 trans and 8 3/4 mopar rear end. Mopar all the way Primerden
I used to own a 41' plymouth coupe, bought it from the guy that Tom Branch was talkin bout. it had a nova clip and 10 bolt rear, actually worked really well. Drove great, that car is a carson opped custom now, I think it's gold. If anyone has pics of it, it's a nice car. I believe it belongs to someone who is or was in the lucky devils.
Tom, thanks for the info. I think I seen those a-arms you mentioned, they would be something to consider using. later shawn
The IFS that comes with it is so good, I don't know why anyone in his right mind would cut off the front clip and weld something else on it. (Hope I don't offend too many people). I have a 49 Dodge, but it's basically the same suspension, and I got the PlyDo stuff and I'm glad I did. It made a huge difference in how it handles, and dropped the frontend 3 inches. I also got 3 inch lowering blocks for the back. You should definitely consider getting the dropped spindles and disk brakes. Well worth it, but if you wanna save some money, you can just get the caliper mounts and spindles, and get the calipers and rotors from a junkyard. That's my 2 cents.
"Going down the highway it seems like it should be shifting once more That is exactly what I was going to say. I have read these posts with some attention, since I have a 48 Coupe. I did not build it, but got it from HotRodHon. If I was building one of these cars, no, I would not clip them, either. Mine rides and drives as good as any of the Novas, Firebirds , or, Camaros. It has a chevy drive train. 350/TH350, and 55 Chevy rear with the above mentioned .355 gears. It does make a great around town setup, but could use an overdrive on the highway. From looking under the car, the Chevy setup was not tricky to do. Take out the old cros member and fabricate a simple cross member for the TH 350, Mine has Camaro rotors and Corvette calipers. Wehn Craig and I traded cars, It was my intent to sell this car. After owning it for a few months, I like it and am keeping it for now. We have driven the car on 200 mile trips(400 round trip) with the original suspension and a nice ride and drive. The only concern i have with the setup is the slop in the steering box. It is my belief that after I put new grease in the old box, I can probably adjust it to rid it of much of the slop.After reading this post and the Customs post, I think wide whites and a little lowering are in order for my car. The grille has been modified by removing some of the grille trim and filling the holes. I really believe that the 41 should be a nice project and you would be happy with it. When I became involved with cars(many years back) you could not give these cars away. Maybe the current popularity is due to folks growing tired of the Ford/Chevy cars and the growing dificulty of finding them. I liked the styling, especially the roof line.
[ QUOTE ] The IFS that comes with it is so good, I don't know why anyone in his right mind would cut off the front clip and weld something else on it. (Hope I don't offend too many people). I have a 49 Dodge, but it's basically the same suspension, and I got the PlyDo stuff and I'm glad I did. It made a huge difference in how it handles, and dropped the frontend 3 inches. I also got 3 inch lowering blocks for the back. You should definitely consider getting the dropped spindles and disk brakes. Well worth it, but if you wanna save some money, you can just get the caliper mounts and spindles, and get the calipers and rotors from a junkyard. That's my 2 cents. [/ QUOTE ] So you got dropped spindles and the PlyDo's for the front? I was able to look at the car again yesterday and the running gear looks to be in good shape. In fact everything on the frame looks like its in good condition. A few flat pieces here and there and the body is good. Only one small dent on the trunk. I think that I am going to do my best to pick this project up. The guy even suggested trades so I am going to see if he would consider a trade for pinstriping or graphic design work. Who knows? It would defiantely be easier way for me. But whatever, If I have to find a few things to sell I can go that route also. Thanks to all for the great information. Now I guess that its up to me to get things worked out for the 40 ply-
JM, the reason mine was changed was the guy that had it before me found some rust thru in the front of the engine cradle. I got the original front piece he cut off when I bought the car. It really wasn't that bad of a spot to fix. later plmczy
Tom- Does your 40 have a huge package tray? Do you think that it would be possible to shoe horn a small bench seat back there? When I was looking at the 40 I want there was so much room behind the front seat.
JimC, would you happen to have a pic of that crossmember? I plan on putting a T-5 behind my 350 so I'll have overdrive. I agree with your point, I think people are looking to owning something different. KC, good luck, I hope it works out for you. later shawn
KC, Does that car your looking at still have a running flat head 6? My sons car still had the flat head in it and I was suprised how well it pulled the car along, wasn't a race car by any means, but it wasn't a dog either. Some vintage speed parts are still available for that 6. Some restorer type offered us too much for the 6, my son took his money and bought the 360 and the 727 auto, still think he had a few bucks left! Jimc When we installed the 360 all we had to do was m***age the fire wall on the right side a little and change out the cross member. We did a small cut and box job around the front pulleys because he was thinking about a possible blower and we wanted to be sure we had clearance for belts. Where we got into trouble was with the swap meet headers, we ended up cutting and boxing the right frame rail to clear two header tubes. Block hugger headers would have solved that problem I suspect. His 47 has a pretty tight steering box, but he wants power steering. We are looking into possibally putting on a power rack and pinoin setup. Coricas (SP?) and Intrepids have the inner tie rods attached to the center of the rack and may work out OK. That may be this winters project. Gene
50dodge, No engine unfortunately. They did strip it down to the cab on the frame. The hood fenders andgrill are in the guys storage. The pedals are still in it and so is the stering column and wheel and a few other things. They removed the cancerous floor which makes things easier also. All of the suspention gear is easy accessable and the body is incredibly straight except one small dent on the trunk. I like the fact that the body is mounted to the frame and dampened by rubber bushings.
[ QUOTE ] Tom- Does your 40 have a huge package tray? Do you think that it would be possible to shoe horn a small bench seat back there? When I was looking at the 40 I want there was so much room behind the front seat. [/ QUOTE ] My 40 has the package tray, its a business coupe. There's plenty of room for a back seat if you remove the tray. I know that some 41's were available as a club coupe and came stock with a back seat. I'm not sure if any 40's came as club coupes or not, but it's the same body so it shouldn't be a problem.
There's a great How-to on those same dropped spindles and disk brakes on the new (Jan 05) issue of Rod & Custom. All you need to do now is get it and follow the directions! PM me if you can't locate it and I'll photocopy the article and mail it to you.
I'm new here and I have a 40 business coupe. I've been struggling to get information before I committed any money to doing something I wasn't going to be satisfied with in the end. I'd like to say that this board has provided me with the most information and inspiration to finish my car. I've been asking myself for a long time will my car ever sit and ride how i want it to. after seeing the pics of the cars in this thread, i finally was able to figure out the answer...and it's yes. on top of all of this i also have options. (although i think I'll leave the oem ifs in place and go with the dropped spindles right away and front discs eventually) Thanks for all the info guys. as soon as i can i'll post some pics.
Tom, I can remember when that was your only car, Pulling the head in your driveway,Chasing down tranmissions in Colton only to find that it was a Chrysler & wouldn't work,trading tha same guy for fenders/grille 1/2's instead,then me going to M.P. Ecology Center pulling one out of a 50,then you & I putting that trans in like 45min in/out (you were real good @ that), and the time when you were taking off from the light @ New & Norwood & stock the rear end finally gave up the Ghost, Luckily Oscar's house was just down the block, & that's where we put put in the 70 Fury 3 8-3/4" rear with 3:00's @ the time. Man, we went everywhere with our coupes. That trully was good time with a great friend!!!! Kevin.
I had picked up a '40 plymouth roller a few years ago, someone elses mistakes and so on. I was going to do some modern modifications. I was going to put some Audi TT headlights and tailights on it, then slam it and tub it out for a prostreet look. Not a traditional look I know Ended up moving and called a junk man to haul away. I never ended up doing anything with it. I would be interested to see what it would have looked like. I liked that the B pillars were already slanted, and the nose had a Willys look to it. Good luck.
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