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 Hi there - "new" '56 Coronet owner!Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page] | View previous thread :: View next thread |
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ViperMan |
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Regular Posts: 53  | Hellooo!!! I'm Jeff and this is my "new" 1956 Coronet 2-Door Sedan. I just bought it from south-west Connecticut. I've never really been into the older cars but I suddenly got bitten by the idea of building my own street rod, and these are very affordable and low-enough on the popularity scale that I don't think anyone will be too mad if I turn it into something a bit more modern.  I've posted a quick Photoshop below of what I have in mind - a '56 Coronet lead-sled of sorts. I registered recently on the Dodge Coronet registry, but this site seems far more active. Hoping I can get some help here with my up-front upgrades - power brakes, disc brakes, and possibly power steering. Cheers! Edited by ViperMan 2017-10-20 11:35 AM (Driveway2.jpg) (Jeff Chop 2.jpg) Attachments ----------------  Driveway2.jpg (395KB - 143 downloads) Jeff Chop 2.jpg (69KB - 143 downloads) | ||
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| mikes2nd |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 5006  | Welcome and congrats on a cool rare car purchase... Looks solid? I will say that before all the old cranky geezers show up and go "BOO HISSS MAKE IT STOCK DAGNABBIT!" Not sure about those rims but its your car I would go with some steelies myself. You can get some cool ones cheap If your interested these are nice ones for low price. these are very reasonable and you can put whatever center or paint on them, and can get them with chrome outer lip. I am considering putting some 57 dodge spinners actually inside these. http://diamondracingwheels.com/index.php/street-wheels/smoothie-whe... But it is you car, don't let the old smelly farts around here discourage you from hanging out here. (s-l1600-DiamondRims.jpg) Attachments ---------------- s-l1600-DiamondRims.jpg (200KB - 143 downloads) | ||
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| 58coupe |
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Expert Posts: 1740    Location: Alaska | |||
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| 56D500boy |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9913  Location: Lower Mainland BC | 58coupe - 2017-10-20 12:46 PM I would suggest that you not do like so many with no imagination and put a Cheevy 350 & 350 auto in it, there are some great Mopar engines and trans. that will fit just as well, but again it is your car. Agree with the disk brake and engine comments. LA 318s, 340s, 360s are just as good or better than a ubiquitous Chebbie 350. Or go old school and stay with a small block hemi (like my D500 315) or a built late 50's poly, e.g. 325. Viperman: Check your inbox for a reply to your message to me. | ||
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| jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2196 Location: Muskego, WI | |||
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| ViperMan |
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Regular Posts: 53 | Wow! Lots of responses already! Thanks guys! She's definitely not staying stock. That's one reason why I intentionally found an "already tinkered with" car, instead of buying a survivor or pre-restored car. The current rims are DEFINITELY not my choice. I just bought the car two weekends ago and haven't done anything to it yet. Baby steps. I think I'm going to start with something like an 18x8x5-4.5 in a Drag DR-70 (first pic below). Down the line, when the modifications are done and I'm going into final paint, I would probably swap out for some 18x9 Vision Legend 5's (second pic below). I'll look for brake conversions - I already found one place but I haven't had a chance to call them yet. I'm still trying to sort out the power booster, and if I can get vacuum off the carb or if I need to get a vacuum pump. I want power brakes on it quickly so my wife can enjoy it from time to time. I won't find a pre-made air-ride suspension kit - I'll have to install a triangulated 4-link system in the rear, then fab up mounting brackets atop the axle for the rear bags. The front frame and control arms get notched, possibly a custom plate under the control arms, and then the front bags will replace the front springs. It'll take time, but honestly doesn't look to be that hard. I found videos of high school kids building these into old Ford trucks... Current powertrain is a 270 CI Red Ram V8, with the 2-speed push-button automatic. Tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiny little carburetor under there - I was checking that out the other day. I might need to put in a spacer plate underneath with a vacuum port but quite frankly I doubt I can find one that small! New engine will NOT be a Cheby (barf), but will range anywhere from a rebuilt 440, to a Mopar-crate 400ci SB (bored-out 340), to - and this is unlikely but might actually be the cheapest option - a modern 5.7 Hemi with a standalone PCM. I will then do everything I possibly can to retain the push-button auto - I'm thinking some sort of actuator to the tranny linkage, powered by a raspberry Pi or something like that. Basically, I'd have to build my own tranny control module. I think that tackles some of the questions/comments for now! I'm working on a "reveal video" for my friends on e-bodies.org - I've known a lot of those guys for years and, while they can't understand why I bought this instead of a replacement e-body, I think they'll enjoy following the project. I'll share the video here when it's finished! Edited by ViperMan 2017-10-20 1:54 PM (wheel-drg-dr-70-silver-machine-face-machined-spokes-5-20-dp.png) (wheel_vis_legend-5_chrome-silver_chrome_na_5_20_dp.png) Attachments ---------------- wheel-drg-dr-70-silver-machine-face-machined-spokes-5-20-dp.png (179KB - 148 downloads) wheel_vis_legend-5_chrome-silver_chrome_na_5_20_dp.png (150KB - 141 downloads) | ||
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| 56D500boy |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9913 Location: Lower Mainland BC | AAJ Disc Brakes out of Portland Oregon will have a disc brake kit / option for you and maybe a power brake conversion kit. Their website features a 56 Coronet 2dr so you know they know your car: http://www.aajbrakes.com/ Roger is your man.  | ||
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| ViperMan |
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Regular Posts: 53 | 56D500boy - 2017-10-20 2:41 PM AAJ Disc Brakes out of Portland Oregon will have a disc brake kit / option for you and maybe a power brake conversion kit. Their website features a 56 Coronet 2dr so you know they know your car: http://www.aajbrakes.com/ Roger is your man. HOTdarn I knew finding your profile pic on this page was a sign of good things to come. Thanks man. | ||
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| ViperMan |
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Regular Posts: 53 | hot"darn" - that's cute...  | ||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9684 Location: So. Cal | |||
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| mikes2nd |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 5006 | eh don't do those vision legends :P way overplayed... maybe get a Chrysler "road wheel" or a throwback rallye (image-wheels-billet-40-18.jpg) (32943790003_original.jpg) Attachments ---------------- image-wheels-billet-40-18.jpg (162KB - 175 downloads) 32943790003_original.jpg (221KB - 134 downloads) | ||
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| DepsilonD |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 792 Location: Buena Park, CA | |||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9684 Location: So. Cal | |||
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| 56D500boy |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9913 Location: Lower Mainland BC | DepsilonD - 2017-10-20 7:10 PM Nathan, 270 is correct for a '56 Coronet as it's standard V-8, the Royals and Custom Royals had the 315's. -Dave I had to check that out and yes, the base V8 for the 56 Coronet was a 270. I know the early 56 Cop Car Coronets came with the 230 hp 315 Poly. Later ones came with the D500 315 hemi.   REFERENCE: CHP and Selection of the 56 Dodge D-500: http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=63454&... | ||
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| ViperMan |
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Regular Posts: 53 | Thanks, all! So, can the intake of a 270 still be drilled for a vacuum port? That's only slightly terrifying but I'm sure I can pull it off... This past Friday I piled the family into the Coronet for a quick ride to drop our daughter off for a sleepover, then my wife and I cruised down to our favorite local brewery for some dinner and beers. We had so much fun! My wife loved it and can't wait to drive it to work one day. | ||
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| 57burb |
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Expert Posts: 3967 Location: DFW, TX | Sure, you can drill a hole in your cast iron intake. Just use a pipe tap to cut new threads and add a fitting. I recommend doing it so it's hidden. I read your other thread with the issue of a 'screeching' speedometer. You can use a thin penetrant / lubricant (3-N-1, Marvel, etc) to quiet it down for another 60ish years. A few drops into the speedometer, and a couple into the cable should do it. | ||
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| DepsilonD |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 792 Location: Buena Park, CA | |||
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| 56D500boy |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9913 Location: Lower Mainland BC | DepsilonD - 2017-10-23 7:41 PM As 57burb said, there are some oil holes in the back of the speedo that should solve your problem. Mine was doing that in my '56 when I got it a couple of years ago. A little oil and no issue since. Interesting. Do these holes show in this photo? | ||
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| DepsilonD |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 792 Location: Buena Park, CA | I thought there were two, but I guess it is just the one located on the speedometer cable fitting. (Screen Shot 2017-10-24 at 10.03.54 AM.png) Attachments ---------------- Screen Shot 2017-10-24 at 10.03.54 AM.png (76KB - 147 downloads) | ||
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