1955 Desoto--Plan to transplant a Chrysler 440

I have a 55 Desoto 2 door hard top that doesn't have an engine or ******. I realize that with alot of money, I could try to find a running mopar hemi. In the alternative, I was hoping to pick up either a running 383 or 440 mopar with the torqueflite transmission and use that combination. Anyone out there that may have done this type of transplant with a Desoto or Chrysler of the same vintage? Any comments would be appreciated.
Thanks.

 

Geez, yer not putting a 350/350 in it? What kinda hot rodder are ya?
Seriously, though, any engine room that would fit a Hemi should have no problem accepting a 440. Should be fun!

 

Plan on swapping out the rearend too, it's got a goofy ujoint system and the drums are a ******* to take off. Cutting down a driveshaft and trying to get the brakes to work will be more h***le than just putting something later model back there.

Front suspension in the '55 is a nice A-arm setup which is pre-torsion bar and there are disc brake kits available so that should be good, and plenty heavy enough for a big block Mopar. Parallel leafs in the rear should also be fine as-is.

 

My buddie put a 413 wedge into a 59 Desoto. Lots-O-room. And that care didn't even have a hemi. And by the way, like the guy before me said, no 350-350? I went to a car show sometime back and the T-Bucket club was there. They were just the stereotypical annoying Ts until I saw one with a blown 440. That got everyone's attention. It originally had a small block, but he went for the Chrysler. Had to do a little modifying to the frame but he said it was worth it. Good luck with your project, Bill

 

There's probably Threads on here about BBs in that yr Mopar, or @ www.forwardlook.net

 

What did the 55s have for a gear shift? Was that the first year of push****ons or was that 56?

 

mmmmmm...... 55 DeSoto .........

 

The '55s were a one-year-only shifter on the dash - it has a lever coming out on the right hand side. 1956 started the push ****on.

I picked up one of these a couple months ago - with the hemi - and drove it home.

 

Got a 440 in my48 Plymouth and I'm sure there is less room in my car. A little cut and fit will be needed but that's hot rodding.

 

There are similar swaps over at the Moaparts forum. It is not a 'bolt-in' but the 'fun' factor will be worth the effort!

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I put this combo in my 55 plymouth.not a bad fit.just open up th trans tunnel a little.