I have a stock IFS suspension in my '40 Plymouth p-10. I am using this car as a format to build a "tribute" '57 Plymouth Fury in memory of my dad. He purchased the Fury new in '57. I have obtained the 318 Poly and the original intake with the dual Carter WCFB Carbs. I also have the "Bat-Wing" air cleaners that were on the car. I have been trying to decide weather to modernize the current front suspension w/ disc brakes and rack-n-pinion, sway bar and a shock relocation, or to buy a new mustang type IFS. The Poly is quite heavy, maybe 8 to 900lbs. The engine will have around 300hp w/ an overdrive ****** (A-518) and a 8 3/4 rear end w/ 3.73 gears. Any thoughts? Thanks!
X2 Mustang is way to light. There are always problems that pop up like width, spring rate, steering shaft routing, lack of bump stops, ackerman. Just rebuild the stock set up. They were known to be excellent and the best handling cars of the time.
Along with rebuilding the suspension, relocating the shock mounts to the frame on top, your should check the condition of the steering box and perhaps replace the seals and bearings if necessary. At the least a factory adjustment should be done and replace the lubricant in the box. The Plymouth IFS is a good setup and steers and rides quite well once the shock upper mount is relocated to the frame. The brakes can easily be changed to discs as well.
I don't know about the M2 being too 'light', but the liberties that most suppliers have taken with the OEM geometry to make them fit everything leaves something to be desired in some cases. Have you considered a Jag IFS? Comes on a subframe that in most cases can just be slid under the car and installed, less money than a M2, parts are reasonable and available, and offers that great Jag ride/handling. Look here... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=855
You might want to drop over to the P15 D24 forum; some gents over there have converted to disc fronts with shock relocation to frame. The topic has been thouroughly discussed with lots of install pics and data. one forum member, Charlie Akers even sells conversion kits. Good luck with your build, which ever road you take !! C***, alias littlemo...
You lost me when you said you were making a 57 Plymouth Fury out of a 40 Plymouth. No way does a 318 weigh 800 - 900 lbs. When they redesigned it into an LA in 1964, they said they reduced the weight by 50 lbs to 580. In other words, the poly weighed 630 lbs. This is about the same as the stock flathead six that came in your 40. Others have posted about cars like yours. They said they rebuilt the front suspension, with the addition of modern shock absorbers with the upper mount on the frame, a Jeep anti sway bar, and disc brakes. They had no desire for a Mustang or any other conversion, the stock setup (with a few improvements) worked great and was strong and reliable. Rack and pinion steering may give you enough room to put the V8 in without hitting anything. Steering clearance is a big problem on V8 conversions in pre 1951 MoPars.
I think this is a myth that gets regurgitated over and over by guys that have never even owned one or had personal experience with the problem they have just posted. Sure if you use an original MII from the mid 70's it may be too light, but are there any of those left in the s**** yards anymore? If you buy a MII unit that is based on the MII design that has quality parts, cross member and rack you will be more than satisfied. I've had two MII's and I wouldn't go with anything else for ease of engine swaps, lowering capability (without bags) and drivability. And this is on a Nash that is larger than your average Ford or Chevy. There's an opinion from some one who has ACTUALLY owned a quality unit... oh, and a shout out to Hot Rod Engineering (formerly Street Rod Engineering).
Yes sir. I thought it would be nice to be reminded of him from time to time. It sounds cliche, but he really was a big inspiration to me, and I'm sure thousands of other hot rod guys that grew up reading his articles, enjoying his photos, and of course relating to Stroker.
I have a 1941 Plymouth, sitting while I get some $$$ to put it on the road. I agree with the recommendation on dropping in and doing some research on http://p15-d24.com/forum/4-p15-d24-forum/ (I'm desertdroog there as well). My plan with the 41 is to turn it into a dropped and chopped sled, update the flat 6 to something MoPar v8 and so on. I am looking at doing the 3inch dropped uprights from Fatman (Project Alter-K-Tion II shows how somone made their own out of an extra pair of uprights on a 49-50 Plymouth for another inch or two in conjunction with air bags), using Moog spring replacements (1/5-2 inch drop depending on the part number: offsite link with a thread on it ) and either Scarebird or RustyHope's disc brake update, and the Cherokee swaybar swap (search for gimpyshotrods here on the HAMB he has some tech on it See post #13 on). We are lucky to have IFS in such an early car, unless you plan to road race with it, keep your stock IFS and update it with the shock relocation at the very least. You can also move the lower spring pads on the A Arm for another inch drop, so depending on how low you want to go, here is a link to that modification; you have options. If I were to go Mustang II, I would not even think about anything other than taking it to Industrial Ch***is here in Phoenix. Steve, aka ElPolacko on the HAMB, is an awesome suspension guy and he knows his stuff. Just search "Mustang II ElPolacko" here to see what he has to say on swaps.
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