Ok So I got this 1948 Chrysler Windsor convertible that I have had for 30 years or so. I have driven it 20 years ago when I had the body off and drove the ch***is in the back yard. Now it is home after 10 years or so in a body shop being moved from one corner to the other with promisses of completion but never getting it done. Any way I pulled it out of there and off to another shop and now it is HOME. I want to install a 1955 DeSoto 219 Hemi in it. I have the engine and willl tear it down and do what it necessary for a re build. I also want a Fat Man front sub for it. I have another 1948 Chrysler Windsor convertible that is all stock and a National First place winner so now I want a Street Rodded Windsor. ANY Suggestions??
On the '48 Plym & Dodge a Chevelle/Cutl***/early Camaro sub frame works great. a rear sump hemi fits nicely. A guy told me he had to recess the firewall on his '48 Plym with OEM frame something like 7"s. Your Chr might have a little more room & the DeSoto is slightly shorter.
I'm not sure on the hemi, but I fit an sbc into mine with a fat man clip no problem. The front ends of those cars are so damn long. Just snug the engine up to the fire wall as close as you can and I wouldn't think you would have any problems.
The desoto and windsor engine compartments are the same, the new yorker is the longer model. There is a hamb member on here with a 392 hemi in his 46-48 desoto, he also is on p15d24, I'll try to find a link.
Don't do the clip- Just rebuild your OE front end with fresh bushings & springs, and modern shocks relocated so the upper mounts to the frame. I did that (on my '38 Chrysler) along with a rack & pinion and it drives easy. No need for a clip.
I know, I know. I just happen to have the sbc sitting around at the time. Due to lack of funds I dropped it in. An aluminum head 318 is on the way.
...a bone stock 440 will have more grunt than any hot-rod 318 could ever dream of... Just sayin'... .
Geeze George, since when did hot rodding depend on 'nice 'n easy'...??? ...now where is my blue-tip wrench??? .
I don't know if there are any similarities, but there was an in depth article covering a '53 Dodge Hemi / '48 Plymouth swap in "CAR Speed and Style" (Apr., '60). The motor was mated to the Plymouth trans with a Dodge stick bell housing and pilot shaft. Maybe I can have the article scanned, if you're really interested. (I'm not computer savvy.)
Pretty much, DeSoto is slightly larger, but it'll be about the same. Inner fenders get butchered, firewall maybe maybe not.
Rod & Custom put a hemi in a Dodge. They had an excellent article about 6 mos ago on how to m***age the firewall, to make it look like it came from the factory that way. Sorry, I don't remember what issue, maybe you can search the R&C website.
The Jalopy Journal
