Finally joined the Forward Look club
Gas Giant
Posted 2020-07-23 1:59 PM (#601225)
Subject: Finally joined the Forward Look club


Member

Posts: 19

Well, actually I did it back in March, but who's counting.

I was always a GM/Chevy owner. Had a few Camaros and a few Tri-Fives, but nothing really show-worthy or anything.

Long story short, I found a decent deal on a 1959 Plymouth Belvedere 2 door hardtop. Rust free car out of southern California. Still needs painted/restored, but at least the work I hate doing is basically done (bodywork).

I'm planning to run an original-ish 318 (I guess its called a Poly 318?) with a 46RH overdrive transmission (or is it A518? I'm still learning MOPAR terms), and keeping the push buttons. I know it will take a little work to make the buttons function, but I have access to a CNC machine, CAD software and even a 3D printer. I should be able to come up with something. I'm not really concerned with having a lot of HP - this car will just be a nice cruiser that I may take on a long trip every now and then.

I have to say, every time I open my garage door and see that finned 2 door hardtop sitting there, I almost can't believe I actually own it. Its a good feeling.

I'm sure I'll be asking a lot of questions in the months/years to come!
Top of the page Bottom of the page
NicksGarage
Posted 2020-07-23 2:12 PM (#601227 - in reply to #601225)
Subject: Re: Finally joined the Forward Look club



Expert

Posts: 1223
1000100100
Location: Ramona, CA
Welcome aboard. I'm a lifelong Chrysler fan/owner but I technically didn't join the Forward Look club until 5 years ago when I got my 300F. And now I have a matching New Yorker Town & Country.

I'm sure lots of people will be interested in your transmission project. And there are lots of great helpful people here.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Gas Giant
Posted 2020-07-23 3:17 PM (#601228 - in reply to #601227)
Subject: Re: Finally joined the Forward Look club


Member

Posts: 19

Thanks. When I reach the transmission part of the project, I'll do a thread on it (if I succeed....)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
NicksGarage
Posted 2020-07-23 4:08 PM (#601232 - in reply to #601225)
Subject: Re: Finally joined the Forward Look club



Expert

Posts: 1223
1000100100
Location: Ramona, CA
You'll probably need to do something about a parking brake. Most people change out the rear axle to get parking brakes and to get away from the tapered axles. The main issue with the tapered axles is that it's a pain to get the rear drums off.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Finsinthemirror
Posted 2020-07-23 6:19 PM (#601239 - in reply to #601232)
Subject: Re: Finally joined the Forward Look club



Elite Veteran

Posts: 1115
1000100
Location: CA
I'm just curious, if it's going to be a cruiser why go to all that trouble and why not just keep the cast iron Torqueflight trans? Any potential gains in fuel mileage I'd think would negligible..
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Powerflite
Posted 2020-07-23 7:27 PM (#601240 - in reply to #601225)
Subject: Re: Finally joined the Forward Look club



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9604
500020002000500100
Location: So. Cal
I went with the overdrive conversion in my '56 Plymouth, but ultimately, I regret doing it. An overdrive is essential with a manual transmission, but the difference in an automatic is negligible. What would really be nice is to have a park function that you can use with the push buttons. Using an overdrive trans doesn't give you that option. The only good way I know to do it is to install a '62-'65 727 trans with the separate park cable. If you really want overdrive as well, you can swap out the internals and use the original valve body with newer 727 internals and attach an overdrive to the back of it. But you really don't need it with an automatic so it really isn't worth the effort. Just run it with 2.76 gears. That's what I do now.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
big m
Posted 2020-07-23 7:35 PM (#601241 - in reply to #601225)
Subject: Re: Finally joined the Forward Look club



Expert 5K+

Posts: 7805
50002000500100100100
Location: Williams California
Welcome to the Forward Look board, and hope you have lots of fun with your new [to you] '59 Plymouth!!
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Suddenlyits1960!
Posted 2020-07-23 7:39 PM (#601242 - in reply to #601241)
Subject: Re: Finally joined the Forward Look club



Extreme Veteran

Posts: 403
100100100100
Location: California
I’d also vote to stick with the original cast iron torqueflite. They are a great transmission,very reliable,and the push buttons already work with it.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Dave L.
Posted 2020-07-23 10:34 PM (#601245 - in reply to #601242)
Subject: Re: Finally joined the Forward Look club



Extreme Veteran

Posts: 340
10010010025
Location: Tacoma, WA
Congratulations, and welcome! We all had a lot of questions at one point, and I still do. This web site has a decent search function for help with a lot of the common questions (removing window cranks, rear hubs, etc.). I have, and still, rely on the collective wisdom here many times. Interested to see what your skills and tools will be able to do.

Edited by Dave L. 2020-07-23 10:36 PM
Top of the page Bottom of the page
ronbo97
Posted 2020-07-23 11:05 PM (#601246 - in reply to #601232)
Subject: Re: Finally joined the Forward Look club


Expert

Posts: 4034
2000200025
Location: Connecticut

NicksGarage - 2020-07-23 4:08 PM  Most people change out the rear axle to get parking brakes and to get away from the tapered axles. The main issue with the tapered axles is that it's a pain to get the rear drums off.

It may be an issue to some people, but if you use the proper tool, they come off without too much difficulty. I was able to remove the rear drums from a car that sat outside in northern New England for over twenty years using a tapered axle puller, which is the correct tool.

Sorry for diverting your post. I also vote for keeping the Torqueflite. It's a solid, well-built transmission. Welcome to our club !

Ron

Top of the page Bottom of the page
oldwood
Posted 2020-08-01 11:47 AM (#601564 - in reply to #601225)
Subject: Re: Finally joined the Forward Look club


Expert

Posts: 2905
2000500100100100100
Location: little rock, AR
A lot of people despise the tapered axle. I never understood why. You do a brake job and replace seals at the same time you'll probably die before you have to do a service requiring removal of the rear drum again. Keep the TF is my vote.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
mstrug
Posted 2020-08-01 12:36 PM (#601567 - in reply to #601225)
Subject: Re: Finally joined the Forward Look club



Expert 5K+

Posts: 6487
50001000100100100100252525
Location: Newark, Texas (Fort Worth)
318 Poly is what we call it. The Dodge got a .040'' over 326 in 1959!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_A_engine

https://www.allpar.com/mopar/a-engines.html

https://www.streetmusclemag.com/tech-stories/engine/video-what-is-a-...

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/mopp-0109-chryslers-poly-head-engine...

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/426-cube-318-poly-can-outgun-hemis/

http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.com/poly318.html

Welcome to the club! Marc.
Top of the page Bottom of the page