Hello, new to this age of the car scene as all I have ever had before was 1970 and up. Ran across this 50 DeSoto and I couldn't p*** it up. Plans to lower without bags, flat midnight blue with a white top. I will have many questions as I go, I am sure of that. Interior is all there, except what the mice chewed on while it was sitting in a barn for 47 yrs.
Top may be in the plans, but not right away. The inline 6 is locked up. Current plan is to drop a 360/904 that I have sitting in garage. Does anyone make motor mounts for this swap? And has anyone done this, I do not want to hack on the inner fenders.
What are the plans? A 392 sure would look good in there... LA Mounts should be pretty easy to fab and the 70's A-body driver exhaust should wrap neatly around the steering shaft. Check out Festers swap on a 50 Dodge. http://s1224.photobucket.com/user/FESTER50/media/Dodge pics/101_0305.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0 .
Check out my profile pics..did this 49 dodge , I know a lot about these models , I've owned at least 10 by now...be happy to answer any questions ......
I'm about 1/2 way through putting a 383/727 into a 50 Desoto Convertible. My goal was to keep the original front suspension and steering. Looking at the pictures of the dodge in the link above, I think there are differences in that the Desoto is a center steer, so I think the steering box is closer to the firewall than what I see in the Dodge pictures and there is a steering rod that runs from the steering box side arm to the center steer arm at the front cross member. In order to clear the steering rod , I had to set the 383 up high and a few inches offset to the right (p***enger side). This also meant that I had to cut the firewall for valve cover clearance and trans tunnel to clear the ****** bell. You may find the 360 will fit better but I found cutting the firewall to be a good compromise to get the placement I wanted and to keep the steering intact. I don't think you're going to find off the shelf motor mounts and also I think you'll find regardless of engine/****** combo you'll have to remove the stock ****** cross member, which is riveted into the frame. I fabricated my own engine and ****** mounts after many hours of fooling around with engine placement. Another issues with the 383 was the front mount oil filter, I'm going to have to use a remote filter and adapter. Also if you're planning to keep the stock steering you'll find a center dump exhaust manifold will fit better than a rear dump, that is another difference that I see as compared to the dodge.
Ch***is Engineering has mounts for that engine. Most of the Mopar engines take the 'channel' shaped mount on both sides, attach to the factory cast 'ears' front sides of the block.
Problem tends to be the driver's exhaust manifold hits the steering box. Most of the rest is straightforward if not always easy. The 273 Valient had an up-and-over manifold to clear the steering box. Find one or make some headers.
I'd lay the rear of the top down to make it flow with the car, better. There's only so much I can do with the Paint program, lol. Good Luck!
Got the 360 mounted and in. No major issues yet. I will now put the dog house back one for a quick moment to see if that has any issues. If not I will pull the motor out and freshen up before putting it back in.
Now with the engine at least temp installed, time to lower back 2". Next question is lowering the front. I have seen the option of Ford Aerostar springs, has anyone done this? Or what other economical options have you all done?
One easy way to drop the front is to remove the lower spring plate and bolt it to the underside of the A-arm. .
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