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Viper Engine in my 59 Belvedere Finally Mounted Jump to page : 1 2 3 4 Now viewing page 3 [50 messages per page] | View previous thread :: View next thread |
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narleycharlie |
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Expert Posts: 1812 Location: Slidell La. | Jimbo , in your video I noticed an aftermarket centerlink and tie rod assemblies , are those custom made or did you purchase from somewhere ? Would love to know , cause I ll be needing some soon and can t find any factory replacements . Who did you purchase you rear springs from ? | ||
Big Jimbo |
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Veteran Posts: 174 Location: Phoenix, AZ | I got my rear leaf springs from McVeighs Truck Springs from Tom at 989-826-3095. They are made in the USA., and for a Dodge Dart but they fit perfectly. Tom put the correct size front bushing in so I didn't have to use the Dart bolt in the front eye. I was having a problem with wheel hop and this weekend put a spring clamp on each side and it completely cured the problem! I guess that is an old school fix. The front center link and tie rod assembly was built by Daryl Smith Race Cars in Phoenix. Daryl is the guy who mounted my engine and did the front frame modification to clear the oil pan. Otherwise the front suspension and steering box is all stock and seems to work well. I put another 50 miles on it this weekend and it didn't overheat in the 110 degree Phoenix weather , but I sure did, so my next project is to install AC. | ||
Big Jimbo |
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Veteran Posts: 174 Location: Phoenix, AZ | I took my first trip over to Firebird Raceway on Friday to see what I could do in the quarter mile, and made two runs. It has been about 15 years since I was at a drag strip, and my reaction times really showed that! On the first run my reaction time was .84, and I got bad wheel hop in first gear and backed off, then got wheel hop in second gear and backed off. The 1/8 mile time was 10.097. Then it really rolled and did the quarter in 15.18 at 102.1 MPH. A pretty good trap speed for such a slow time. I then did a second run and started out in second gear at about 2000 RPMs. I only got a little wheel hop, but my reaction time was .672 secs. My 60 ft was 2.292, 1/8 was 8.81, and quarter mile was 13.38 @ 110.55. I thought that one wasn't too bad for using only three gears. With a better reaction time it would easily be in the 12 second range. It looks like I will need to install some CalTrak traction bars so I can use first gear. With some practice I would think it would do low 12's. Lots of fun | ||
BigBlockMopar |
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Expert Posts: 3575 Location: Netherlands | Nice! | ||
Big Jimbo |
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Veteran Posts: 174 Location: Phoenix, AZ | Now that I have sorted out all the mechanical issues and really like the car, I decided to pull the body off the frame to repair the rust, weld in a smooth fire wall, and make it look pretty. Here are some pictures of what I am doing. I used a four post lift to pull the body. (Post1.jpg) (post2.jpg) (PostDana.jpg) (PostFrame.jpg) Attachments ---------------- Post1.jpg (92KB - 195 downloads) post2.jpg (166KB - 361 downloads) PostDana.jpg (177KB - 322 downloads) PostFrame.jpg (178KB - 388 downloads) | ||
Big Jimbo |
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Veteran Posts: 174 Location: Phoenix, AZ | Off to the media blaster! (trailerbody.jpg) (trailer3.jpg) Attachments ---------------- trailerbody.jpg (101KB - 208 downloads) trailer3.jpg (102KB - 203 downloads) | ||
Big Jimbo |
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Veteran Posts: 174 Location: Phoenix, AZ | Back from the blaster and and lots of work ahead. I will post more pics when I start welding. (blast1.jpg) (blast2.jpg) (blastfender.jpg) (Blastinside.jpg) (blasttrunk.jpg) Attachments ---------------- blast1.jpg (124KB - 207 downloads) blast2.jpg (160KB - 210 downloads) blastfender.jpg (121KB - 207 downloads) Blastinside.jpg (148KB - 216 downloads) blasttrunk.jpg (142KB - 199 downloads) | ||
ToMopar |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1153 Location: D-70199 Heslach | Almost rustfee, except some minor in the floor. Perfect ! :-) | ||
SavoyPlaza |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1172 Location: Georgia | Wow! Some people are never satisfied! Perfects a fine machine like that, then tears it apart again! Looks like you've been busy, thank you for the updates. Surely, she will be amazing when completed. Most excellent. Pete | ||
Big Jimbo |
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Veteran Posts: 174 Location: Phoenix, AZ | ToMopar - 2012-03-28 4:26 AM Almost rustfee, except some minor in the floor. Perfect ! :-) The blasting revealed lots of pin holes in the trunk and most of the trunk floor will have to be replaced. There are also some pin holes at the bottom of the rear fenders. At least there aren't any pieces missing so I can see how everything fits together. I am going to replace the entire firewall to get rid of all the holes, and to fit a Vintage Air system I need to get rid of the big hump from the original air box under the dash. The trick will be to do it and still keep the mounts for the windshield wipers. Anyway, I need to have a project to work on and this is a fun one. When I put it back together I can put in lots of dynamat and new rubber and make it a much nicer driver. The big decision will be what color to paint it! | ||
57plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 3577 Location: Blythewood, SC | I've always thought that 59's would look nice in a deep blue. | ||
twistedpower |
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Regular Posts: 53 | yes now were talking ,nice job on the install,and engine choice,looks great, | ||
57plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 3577 Location: Blythewood, SC | Any update? | ||
GregCon |
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Expert Posts: 2524 Location: Houston | Nice, but you'll need more than better reaction times to get into the 12's. Reaction times have nothing to do with ET's. | ||
lozrox58 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 306 Location: Newcastle Australia | Big Jimbo - 2012-03-30 11:19 PM ToMopar - 2012-03-28 4:26 AM Almost rustfee, except some minor in the floor. Perfect ! :-) The blasting revealed lots of pin holes in the trunk and most of the trunk floor will have to be replaced. There are also some pin holes at the bottom of the rear fenders. At least there aren't any pieces missing so I can see how everything fits together. I am going to replace the entire firewall to get rid of all the holes, and to fit a Vintage Air system I need to get rid of the big hump from the original air box under the dash. The trick will be to do it and still keep the mounts for the windshield wipers. Anyway, I need to have a project to work on and this is a fun one. When I put it back together I can put in lots of dynamat and new rubber and make it a much nicer driver. The big decision will be what color to paint it! One of the dilemmas I struck was the clearance between the Vintage air unit and the wiper arms. The movement of the arms forces the a/c to be mounted low on the firewall. As you are going to the trouble of replacing your firewall can I suggest that you try to space the firewall forward where the a/c will mount. That way the a/c can mount in front of the wipers. Mine's RHD so its not quite the same, but I posted some photos here. With the firewall in the original position the wiper arms sit between the demist vents and the main vents. http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=38003&... Edited by lozrox58 2012-06-13 12:30 AM | ||
Big Jimbo |
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Veteran Posts: 174 Location: Phoenix, AZ | Here are some updated pictures of my project. I replaced the trunk floor, and some of the floor pan. Also repaired rust around rear wheel wells where someone had stuffed bondo in the holes. I really improved my welding skills with this project!! Fortunately the rest of the car including doors and front fenders were perfect. I decided to paint it the 1959 Dodge and Desoto turquise color with a white roof. I painted the firewall before I put the body back on the frame because it is to tight, but I am going to have a professional painted do the rest of the car. I fit a Vintage Air Gen 4 kit and fit all the hoses so it will be an easy installation after painting. I also got a trunk mounted Painless Wiring harness and welded the battery mounts in the trunk. I think all the holes are drilled and brackets are welded before it gets painted. (Pan1.jpg) (Pan2.jpg) (BodyOn.jpg) (BodyL.jpg) (Engine.jpg) Attachments ---------------- Pan1.jpg (42KB - 200 downloads) Pan2.jpg (51KB - 189 downloads) BodyOn.jpg (68KB - 198 downloads) BodyL.jpg (57KB - 180 downloads) Engine.jpg (62KB - 191 downloads) | ||
FIN ME |
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Expert Posts: 2788 Location: USA - KY | Truly amazing work! She's going to be a BEAST! | ||
bel5758 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 716 | (pounding my desk and screaming): "youtube video! youtube video! youtube video!" Fin Me, BEAST ain't the word that this thing is going to be......can't wait! | ||
big m |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 7805 Location: Williams California | Looking good now!!! ---John | ||
FIN ME |
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Expert Posts: 2788 Location: USA - KY | bel5758 - 2013-06-07 2:39 PM Fin Me, BEAST ain't the word that this thing is going to be......can't wait! :) LOL...maybe it will be?...yes!...MAXIMUS PRIME! | ||
henricthornsund |
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Location: Sweden | Now that's a streetmachine nice work! | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | First time I've seen this thread... What a great project .....a man after my own heart You can never have enough horsepower! That motor looks like it was meant to be there. | ||
Beltran |
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Expert Posts: 1730 Location: Michigan | Very nice. As big as these cars are, that engine looks like it was a tight fit. | ||
rbmain |
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I think it's ill advised, but looks like I'm alone on this. (Hey Let's Put Some Camels in a Pickup.jpg) Attachments ---------------- Hey Let's Put Some Camels in a Pickup.jpg (140KB - 195 downloads) | |||
DIF-RNT |
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Location: NE Ohio | Picture above reminds me of a new statistic just out: 70% off the women out there that tried camels went back to men.......... | ||
JAG |
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Member Posts: 11 | have you made any progress jim? | ||
JAG |
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Member Posts: 11 | dukeboy - 2008-10-04 10:09 PM Wonder why no one has mentioned the gas mileage thing with the Viper engine like they do when I mention a 440? 488 C.I., 10 cylinders, gotta be worse than a 440, even fuel injected............................... i just wanted to point out a correction here to dukeboy, this is actually a 8.3L viper engine which is 505 cubic inches not 488 | ||
bel5758 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 716 | Ha ha! Because 488 CI is not nearly enough! | ||
Big Jimbo |
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Veteran Posts: 174 Location: Phoenix, AZ | There has been great progress with the project! It is in primer and should be painted this week. I can't wait to get it back from the painter and start putting it all back together. I have the bumpers and all the trim at a shop to get re-plated and polished. I will post some more pictures when it is in color. I drove it about 500 miles before I took it apart and it actually got about 20 mpg on the highway. It only turns 1800 RPM at 70 MPH with the Tremec 6 speed, and these new computerized engines are very efficient when you are gentle with them. But when I really get on it, like when I took it to Firebird drag strip, that is a very different story. It is tuned for about 550 hp and it takes a lot of gas to feed all those hungry horses when you have them at full gallup. (PrimerLSM.JPG) (PrimerRSm.JPG) Attachments ---------------- PrimerLSM.JPG (97KB - 193 downloads) PrimerRSm.JPG (100KB - 187 downloads) | ||
big m |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 7805 Location: Williams California | Looking good, Jim!! | ||
JAG |
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Member Posts: 11 | Car looks great, you have 4.10 gears correct? how does 6th gear feel? a lot of the viper drivers say they prefer the 456 but i feel that is too aggressive for long hauls? | ||
bel5758 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 716 | Darn good question Jag! I've got 4.10s in 'another' car and wow what a difference at low rpms and surprisingly enough not much change on the high end. So Jim......4.10s or what? | ||
Big Jimbo |
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Veteran Posts: 174 Location: Phoenix, AZ | I have the 4.10 gear, and this gives a redline speed of only about 50 mph in 1st gear but makes it very easy to drive in slow traffic. 6th gear in the Tremec is a 0.5 ratio so even with the 4.10 it turns very slow RPMs on the highway. I never even put it in 6th until I am going over 60 mph. This engine make a lot of low end torque and pulls like a tractor from 1500 RPMs so 6th gear is still usable on the highway. I think the Viper car comes with a gear around 3.4, but they are set up to go 180 mph plus. I wouldn't want to try that with the forward look aerodynamics! But I did have it up to 120 mph at Firebird with no problems, and that was still in 4th gear! | ||
bel5758 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 716 | Excellent excellent excellent. Good details on the 4.10s and if you are not running the dragstrip, they are more than sufficient and a heck of a lot of fun, as you obviously already know. Very cool. My 4.10 car gets surprisingly good gas mileage on the highway, as an unexpected bonus. And if yours is as torque-y as it sounds, I can just imagine your front end bucking up a bit from little gas gooses while cruising around at low speeds. Can't wait to the see the videos! And, if I'm ever near Phoenix, I'm coming to see you and beast. Good for you. Keep us posted. | ||
Big Jimbo |
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Veteran Posts: 174 Location: Phoenix, AZ | Finally got my car back from the painter and it looks great!! Much better in person than in the pictures. I put the trim on the right side and wanted to post a picture. Now comes the fun part of putting it all back together with all the parts re-done so you don't even get your hands dirty. (Painted Front small.JPG) (painted right trim.JPG) Attachments ---------------- Painted Front small.JPG (105KB - 178 downloads) painted right trim.JPG (109KB - 169 downloads) | ||
Rebels-59 |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+ Location: .Norfolk..Mafia.. ,England UK | Looks Great Jim,, Please post more PICs as you put her back together and another Video when she is done... | ||
Big Jimbo |
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Veteran Posts: 174 Location: Phoenix, AZ | Will do! | ||
JT Vincent |
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Expert Posts: 1493 Location: Jamaica Plain, MA | That is amazing. Great color choice there, too. No one will know what just came up to them at light. | ||
DIF-RNT |
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Location: NE Ohio | Looks fantastic...a sleeper | ||
JAG |
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Member Posts: 11 | car turned out great | ||
wizard |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+ Posts: 13042 Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Even though I'm leaning towards purism, I have to admit that this car is something else! Really nice work and it will be a really cruel sleeper. | ||
Big Jimbo |
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Veteran Posts: 174 Location: Phoenix, AZ | Over the past 30 years I have done 5 other cars to absolute every nut and bold originality, but I have never learned so much or enjoyed a project as much as this one. This is the first car where I can actually make changes that I really want, and have the challenge to engineer and fabricate all the pieces. I still want it to look basically stock (with the hood closed) because I have learned to love the lines of the old sedan, and want it to look like a mildly customized car done back in the 60's. Plus it has so much more power and stops so much better than any of the other 50's-60's cars I have had. Now I just have to get it all back together and on the road again! | ||
60 Imp |
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Location: North Australia | Really awesome job Big Jim. A credit to you and your automotive engineering skills. I suspect you have a higher learning in the art of Auto?? Steve. | ||
big m |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 7805 Location: Williams California | Looks great, Jim!!!! | ||
JT Vincent |
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Expert Posts: 1493 Location: Jamaica Plain, MA | I am a total fan of the 2 door sedan, it's lighter, more solid and more subtle than a hardtop. Perfect sleeper. If I had the $$ and time I'd do a 58 Dodge 2 door sedan up like this with a gen 3 Hemi. Very inspirational. | ||
Big Jimbo |
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Veteran Posts: 174 Location: Phoenix, AZ | I finally got the dash, steering, and pedals all installed. Behind the dash I have the big Vintage Air Gen IV system and does it blow the cold air! I did not have much problem getting the engine running after 1 year in hibernation. One of the fuel injectors stuck, but that was about it. I installed a Painless wiring harness and it sure took me a lot more time than I thought, but everything works great. Now I just need to put the doors back together and have all the seats and door panels done. It looks like I might reach my goal of having all the big things done before it gets too hot in AZ! (Dash Medium.JPG) (engine medium.JPG) Attachments ---------------- Dash Medium.JPG (122KB - 175 downloads) engine medium.JPG (118KB - 175 downloads) | ||
Lancer Mike |
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Location: The Mile High City | fantastic work! So can you stick with the bench over the new transmission hump, or are you going buckets? Edited by Lancer Mike 2014-02-21 11:50 AM | ||
Big Jimbo |
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Veteran Posts: 174 Location: Phoenix, AZ | I didn't need to modify the hump and the shifter luckily turned out to be in the correct spot so I can use the stock bench seat. I am going to go with all original interior. With the hood shut it will look pretty much all original except for the wheels and exhaust | ||
henricthornsund |
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Location: Sweden | Nice work this far, i bet the crate 502 boys will have dropped jaws in your rear view mirror | ||
JAG |
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Member Posts: 11 | This really looks great, this is the first time i seen the picture of the shifter installed, you really kept it simple using the truck shifter and the factory chrome ring and leather boot. it really looks clean and original | ||
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