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Location: McCleary WA | I have posted some pics under "Members rides" but thought maybe I should start a thread here as it is going to be considerably modified. I purchased an '06 Chrysler 300C at an insurance auction as a donor. So far I have installed the independent rearend, the 14" front disc brakes (on the '57 spindles), and just finished making the transmission and motor mounts for the Gen III hemi and 5-speed automatic. The trans crossmember was installed backwards, notched to clear, and reinforced. I was going to use Trans-Dapt motor mounts, but they have what I consider a design flaw - they need to both be offset 5/8" to the right in order to compensate for the block bolts being 1 1/4" farther back on the RH side. Since they refused to acknowledge the problem or make me a modified set, I just copied their design with the appropriate modification. The frame mounts are gusseted on the rear which doesn't show in the photo. I installed a MoPar rear-sump oil pan in order to clear the Chrysler 300 AWD power rack and pinion which is the next task. It will mount on a removable cradle to make engine removal easier as things will be rather tight down there. The stock Chrysler exhaust manifolds appear to line up nicely, pointing between the frame and torsion bars. I plan to use the Chrysler master cylinder assembly, complete with power adjustable brake and throttle positioning. I originally had planned to use the factory navigation and 6-CD player, but not sure if they will work without a computer tie-in.
It's a slow process as I work alone and am nearing 70, but being retired really helps.
Edited by Darryl T 2019-04-02 1:02 AM
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Location: North Australia | Good on ya mate. Some neat fabrication going on there. I will be watching for your updates, you do some nice work. I liked looking at your Convertible job too. You are a true enthusiast! I am going to take a guess, you are a tradesman? Steve
Edited by 60 Imp 2019-04-02 8:02 AM
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Expert
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Location: NorCal | Nice work. How is the oil filter clearance? I've heard this a problem with Gen III Hemi swaps. |
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Veteran
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Location: McCleary WA | 60 Imp - 2019-04-02 I am going to take a guess, you are a tradesman? Steve
Not really. 40 years behind a desk as an environmental engineer. But a hot rodder since I was 14, having hand built a lot of cars from 32 Fords to DeLoreans. |
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Veteran
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Location: McCleary WA | 57chizler - 2019-04-02 10:37 AM
How is the oil filter clearance? I've heard this a problem with Gen III Hemi swaps.
I have a MoPar angled filter adapter. I haven't tried it yet but it is supposed to be the cure. |
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Lower Mainland BC | Darryl T - 2019-04-02 10:58 AM
Not really. 40 years behind a desk as an environmental engineer. But a hot rodder since I was 14, having hand built a lot of cars from 32 Fords to DeLoreans.
Hello. I was an environmental engineer for 38 years. Retired in 2010. Worked for Associated Engineering for the last 20 years 1990-2010. Mostly solid waste and biosolids management. Worked with US people from Brown and Caldwell, CH2M Hill and Tetra Tech on various projects.
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Regular
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| I like! Looking fwd to updates on this build. I'm putting a 5.7/NAG1 in a 58 plymouth, it's interesting to see how others concurred obstacles I've run across. I like the rearend idea, wish I'd thought to do that to mine. Good luck! |
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Veteran
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Location: McCleary WA | Darryl T - 2019-04-01 9:50 PM
I installed a MoPar rear-sump oil pan in order to clear the Chrysler 300 AWD power rack and pinion which is the next task. It will mount on a removable cradle to make engine removal easier as things will be rather tight down there.
I thought for posterity I should update that statement. The rear sump oil pan did not work out, so I went with a Moroso mid-sump pan. The rack required the fabrication of shorter steering arms, out of 1" square stock, due to its shorter travel and the stock arms hitting the 18" wheels/tires. |
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Veteran
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Location: McCleary WA | After selling this project in August and re-purchasing it last month, it is now in a body shop getting the rockers and lower rear quarters replaced, as well as getting the firewall, hood, and tailgate "cleaned up" with all extraneous holes filled. Plans as of now include upgrading the 5.7 to a 6.4 SRT8 engine, and hopefully retaining the pushbutton shift. Stay tuned.... |
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| What are your plans on retaining the push button shifter?
My plan is to use an A-518(46RH) with the push button cable adapter from AandA transmissions. I have all of the parts, haven't mocked it up yet, but I'm getting close.
Also, I found that the Mopar Performance Hemi wiring harness requires a momentary starter switch, which is exactly what our Neutral push button does, so it should be easy to hook that up. |
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Veteran
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Location: McCleary WA | Current plan is to use the system from Powertrain Control Solutions, which is specifically designed for the Chrysler NAG1 transmission and others. The button pad will replace the original pushbutton assembly. While not what you are probably looking for, it is a street rod and not a restoration so I'm not hung up on a totally original look. See powertraincontrolsolutions.com. I will probably use a modern pushbutton starter switch, or use an original key switch from a manual trans '57 Dodge which I believe includes a start position. The idea is a tasteful integration of original design with modern function and electronics. |
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Expert 5K+
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Location: So. California | You could mount that button pad behind the original push buttons to have them actuate the button pad. As long as the change in position isn't too convoluted, you should be able to make that work. That's what I would probably do. |
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Location: McCleary WA | Darryl T - 2020-03-05 11:40 AM
After selling this project in August and re-purchasing it last month, it is now in a body shop getting the rockers and lower rear quarters replaced, as well as getting the firewall, hood, and tailgate "cleaned up" with all extraneous holes filled. Plans as of now include upgrading the 5.7 to a 6.4 SRT8 engine, and hopefully retaining the pushbutton shift. Stay tuned....
Update - body work is almost done, including cleaning up the firewall and eliminating the cold air plenum behind it to make more room under the dash for a/c. The 2006 Chrysler 5.7 hemi turned out to have a bad piston, so I looked for an SRT8 engine and even considered a Hellcat, but ended up getting a really good deal on a 7,000 mile 2019 5.7 hemi. At nearly 71 I decided the Hellcat was probably overkill......
Edited by Darryl T 2020-07-08 12:09 AM
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Expert 5K+
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Location: So. California | Good choice. Having that much excess power is overrated. |
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Posts: 282
Location: McCleary WA | Took the 2019 5.7 hemi and 5-speed trans up to the shop (Horsepower Northwest in Bremerton, WA) today. Had to make a decision - bring the car home and try to do more of the mechanical work myself, or leave it in the capable hands of a pro. Its still there. The work Aaron Porter has done so far is top notch, so it made sense to just let him continue. All rust repair is done, plus the tailgate and firewall cleaned up. See if you can spot another subtle change.
Thought I would add a few photos.
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Lower Mainland BC | Darryl T - 2020-07-16 3:34 PM All rust repair is done, plus the tailgate and firewall cleaned up. See if you can spot another subtle change.
Besides the heater delete and the "port" for some aftermarket A/C/Heating system? (Vintage Air?) Or the rack and pinion steering?
Edited by 56D500boy 2020-07-16 7:31 PM
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Veteran
Posts: 282
Location: McCleary WA | A/C is from Restomod Air - the biggest and best we could find. And good catch on the power R&P. But that isn't it. Hint - it's in the last photo. |
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Location: Blythewood, SC | No cowl vent. |
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Location: McCleary WA | 57plymouth - 2020-07-17 5:16 AM
No cowl vent.
You win the prize. With the heater removed and A/C added, and the air plenum behind the firewall no longer needed, we decided to eliminate it. That really uncluttered the cowl. Not everyone's choice but it works here. |
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Expert
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Location: NorCal | My '57 NY was done the same. The A/C box wouldn't clear the wiper motor so the wipers were converted to cable-drive with the motor located behind the right kick panel.
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Veteran
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Location: McCleary WA | Very nice. Can I ask what brand of cable operated wipers you used? I bought a kit on Ebay but the quality is marginal at best. It looked exactly like one selling for twice as much, too. Years ago I used an original cable system out of a Jag or Morris Minor and it worked great. |
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Expert
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Location: NorCal | I dunno, the installation was done before I purchased the car. The cable-drive wiper travel was a lot less than factory but I never drove it in the rain. |
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Veteran
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Location: McCleary WA | 57chizler - 2020-07-19 2:38 PM
The cable-drive wiper travel was a lot less than factory but I never drove it in the rain.
On most cable-drive setups the travel is adjustable at the motor by moving the pin the cable is fastened to. |
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Veteran
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Location: WA | The fire wall really cleans up when you don't have all the stock stuff penetrating it. Looks great. |
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