Ok Mopar guys.....I have a brother who is a member here, SFC. MARSHALL, TASKFORCERANGER506, And will be using his log in for now to ask questions about our project car. As for intros here it goes....I'm in the ARMY also and currently am serving with the 2nd Ranger Bn, Ft. Lewis,Wa. I have served now for 18 yrs along with my brother and love it. We are only a handful of twins that have become twins. Our cousins are only a handful of twins that are Navy Seals. So with that I think we have a strong military backing from Texas. I love to buy and bring back old cars, I guess we were born in the wrong generation as far a =s cars go. But then again I love being here with all the Tech. Anyhow I'll ask my question now.. We have a 1955 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer and I found out recently that the original 270 Hemi is shot...So I came into owning a 1953 331 Hemi and want to install it in the engine bay of our car. I have some info from you guys in a previous Question and post a few weeks ago, thx. So as for the electrical issues, trans and general hook-up and transfor from the 270 to the 331, what do you all recommend we do and where to start. The car it's self is basically done and complete minus the motor issues we have. I want to convert it over to 12 volt from 6 volt. And the tranny will bolt right up to the 331 so no worries there. Also I thinking about getting a new drive shaft made for this setup seeing it would be logical as for parts consideration and durability. Does anyone know about changing from Drum set-up to Disk for this car without taking out the whole suspension of the original car? The ride as I remember as a kid was Great. And since we are on Drive-lines...The 331 is a few pounds heavier than the 270...250lbs more. Do I need to upgrade the from end? etc...springs ball joints? The car doesn't have many miles on her ar all..67,000 +-. Original. And finally, Cooling issues, should I expect any with the higher cubic inches as for the radiator size? Her are a few pics for reference guys and thx for any info. Thx.
A '53 hemi would actually have the extended bellhousing on the block for the Fluid Drive, so it wouldn't bolt right up to the Powerflite (assuming it's an automatic). There's nothing to the electrical part, the transmission only needs reverse lights and neutral safety hookups (technically doesn't even NEED those), but if the shifter/accelerator/kickdown stuff isn't the same on your Dodge as it is on a Chrysler you might have to make some custom linkage rods. Probably won't need a custom driveshaft since if there's clearance issues with the 331 in the Dodge engine bay, you'll have to cut forwards, meaning the trans will be in the same spot. No ball joints on the front end of that car. The springs might go down a little more than usual, but since you're basically going from "really heavy engine" to "really REALLY heavy engine" you probably won't notice too much. There's a guy selling disk brake kits for '55 Chrysler/DeSotos on eBay lately, dunno if those would work on a Dodge/Plymouth though. Oh, and one thing to double check is the parking brake on the end of the tranny. The one on my New Yorker barely worked which was a MAJOR problem parking on any kind of incline. It's basically a miniature drum brake on the tailshaft of the tranny, so you'll probably want new shoes for it and make sure it's adjusted. Also you'll definitely want dual exhaust
Thx for the fast reply...The 331 has the short bell housing. I t was a Propane Powered 331 AND runs great.The Valve Covers were removed and WOW it was sooo clean. SO it's at the Machine shop to get it's cleaning, magniflux and the other needs to make sure she is road worthy. And will get the goodies for her to be Streetable.Any ideas for cam applications? I bought or my brother bought a 4bbl intake for it already so I 'm looking for a single point Dist or Elec Distr. setup. What do you all think. Changing the Drive shaft reflects the need for easy parts access and reliability.
I guess I have to ask... Is the hemi a mandatory thing? Got to have the hemi look? The whole reason for the car? The reason I say that, is you can go with a real nice post-1988 mopar 360 with a nice automatic, and you'll have room left in the engine bay for the "seals" to sleep over. Just a thought...
I've been up to MasterPowerBrake in Mooresville, NC (they have a website) and they make really nice disc brake kits for old Mopars. The original rear axle will have to go as it has no parking brake for a later model transmission setup, also it wasn't designed to handle very much power. THe extended bell housing on the '51-'53 Hemis is a bitch to work with wihout firewall/floor mods....Wilcap can help with transmission adapters. A 360 and 727 trans would be infinitely easier to do, but, hey, we're rodders cuz we like challenges. Try these: http://www.mpbrakes.com/ http://www.wilcap.com/ http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=91354&highlight=mopar+rear+end+axle Good Luck.....that's a great looking year of Dodge to work with!!!!
Check for posts by Scootermcrad on here.....he has a 53 Hemi and has done a terrific job with doing tech threads on these engines which should answer most of your Hemi questions. Also, you can just do searches on the HAMB for Hemi and get LOADS of info!!!! Luck!!!
Your short bell 331 will fine. I got my last cam from Clay Smith www.claysmithcams.com Bob at Hot Heads can also supply you with one...and lotsa other stuff. Just remember that just 'cuz they make all of this aftermarket stuff for these Hemi's, you don't need everthing. The stock parts are plenty strong...you don't need adjustable pushrods (for hyd. cams), 340 oil pumps, forged pistons, etc. Keep it simple and it will be lots cheaper. Don't bother changing the driveshaft...in order to get a stronger driveline, you'd have to replace the trans and rear end, too. Leave it alone...and don't abuse it...it will work fine as is. The suspension should be OK. Replace/repair whats needed. Wait until the car's done and driveable to determine if you need new springs because of the extra weight. MP Brakes and Ply-Do can fix you up with disc barkes...but why not get the engine together and installed before those mods? You'll be able to drive and enjoy the car...then determine IF you really need this stuff. You'll have to have a set of motor mount's fab'd on the frame since the 270 did not have side mounts...ez enuff to do. I like the Chassis Engineering mounts for the engine...ez to work with and cheap. My advice is to get it driveable..and drive it. Enjoy the car...have fun with it..then determine what needs to be done next. Thousands of hot rod projects are abandoned because the owners tried to do too much...too fast...especially on a first-time build. $$$ run out, interest wanes as the car seems to never get done. This is especially true if you don't have your own equipment and a shop to work on it.
Hello LoLife, The car used to belong to our Grandfa ' and trying as hard as we are to get her in finished condition so the Grandparents can take a spin in her again. He doesn't know whats going on and even thinks the car is still parked on the farm. So the Hemi look is fine as we had the 331 thrown at us for a mere $300.00 by a local ranchhand that has the land we have our deer lease on. He used it to power the water well system and just wanted to update the power source since they started to drill for Oil on his land, got a big bonus for his share of the Royalties I guess. Any way I guess I'll have to think about changing the rear end in this car as well? At least I'll make sure it has good bearings, seals and Fluid changed. The Hemi has the short Bell Housing so no Mods here I suppose.
Sounds like good advice Kroozer...I have a short bell housing on this beast so that will save on any mods to that aspect of the fix.The rear end will need an overhaul, bearing, seals and fluid changed. But looking forward to getting this thing going and back on the road.
O k when you all say"Extended Bell Housing" do you mean the ones that extend out about 4-8"? Mine only comes out to maybe 2" enough for the Data Plate to be attached. Pics are here for refrence.
The Jalopy Journal
