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Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-03-30 10:56 AM (#168770)
Subject: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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I bought this beast from friend in Arizona about 5 years ago. After dragging it home from Arizona to Spokane I put it out back in "cold storage" After going to the Las Vegas MopaVegas and seeing some cool old cars running around I came home with a new burst of motivation. I conned a local buddy (Ralph) into to comming over to help me unearth the car from the back 40 last weekend, we drug it out to the front of the house where I can work on it. The tires held air for a few hours and are now flat agian, no big deal, needs new rubber anyway.

The biggest concern was the original 301 poly head engines health, I bought it not knowing (or caring) if it ran. the gas tank and fuel system will need to be delt with, as well as the other crusty wear parts like brakes, hoses, belts, etc. The ignition key was MIA so I pulled the ign switch and had a key made.

Anyway, I go out, pop the hood, add a missing pos battery cable and a fresh battery, unhooked the fuel line, checked the oil (looked ok, just black) dumped some fuel in the carb and tried the key. After about 3 seconds of cranking it fired right up and ran like a sewing machine, smooth and quiet!

I couldn't believe it ran so good after sitting for so many years (probably 25-30 years or so!) I plan on addressing the issues mentioned above this week. Hopefully with no surprises I'll have the old sled back on the road again for some summertime Rat Rod cruising. I'll add upgrades as time & funds allow, but for now it'll be cool putting around town in a 52 year old Plymouth

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Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-03-30 10:58 AM (#168771 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Here's the engine, I plan on removing the non functioning (dealer added?) air conditioning setup

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Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-03-30 11:04 AM (#168772 - in reply to #168771)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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The front

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58Donnie

Posted 2009-03-30 11:33 AM (#168774 - in reply to #168772)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Good deal man. I love the "plane brown wrapper" look. Drop me a PM if your interested in parting with that A/C system.

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-03-30 11:54 AM (#168775 - in reply to #168774)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Yea, it was originally an all white car with the B&W interior. Someone painted it brown eons ago so there she sits. I'll probably go back to white or some other stock color, not sure yet. The AC stuff....I'll let you know, when I get it all out I'll get some pics. It's pretty cool, the under dash unit is a monster!

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-03-30 12:05 PM (#168776 - in reply to #168775)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Although the car is from a very dry climate and has no outer body rust, the floor pans did not fair so well under the rubber floor mats. Does anyone make quality floor pans for these?

dukeboy

Posted 2009-03-30 12:05 PM (#168777 - in reply to #168775)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Good deal...Glad to hear it runs ok....Looks to be pretty solid also.....Nice find indeed...

57burb

Posted 2009-03-30 2:15 PM (#168790 - in reply to #168777)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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The floor pans for the seating area are basically interchangable with passenger car pieces. They are slightly different but will work. The rear cargo area is wagon-specific.

Looks good, I've got a beater '57 wagon too.

---> http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a274/46Tbird/wagon/wagon_fortwort...

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-04-04 6:43 PM (#169308 - in reply to #168771)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Ok, So today I removed the remainder of the A/C system (under dash unit, condenser, compressor, etc.). It all came out very easily and is in good shape. I screwed all the hoses and fittings back together to keep the lines clean of junk and stashed it all in the shop.

So now I want to tackle replacing the entire wiring harness (I've ordered a new reproduction) and clean and detail the backside as it's pretty dusty/dirty under there. It seems that the easiest way to do so is to remove the entire dash as an assembly, fit it all up on the bench, and then reinstall it as a unit. Any comments? Is there a simple procedure for removing the dash?

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-04-04 9:16 PM (#169318 - in reply to #169308)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Here's the air stuff. I did a bit of research, it's from a company called "Clardy MFG." out of Fort Worth Texas. I found them doing a net search but I don't think they are still in business. The grille for the dash unit is MIA otheriwise it's 100% complete and functional. If anyone has a junker dash unit for this that could give up a grille I could make it complete?

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Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-04-18 11:45 AM (#170981 - in reply to #169318)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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So, in case anyone was wondering just how much it might cost to get your "rotter" running and road worthy again here are some actual costs to consider. Keep in mind that this car actually ran when I started but that doesn't exactly make it a dependable ride, some of these items could have been skipped over, but in the name of good preventative maintainance they were rebuilt/replaced anyway. I'm far from finished, still have to purchase some more tune up parts, a battery, complete wire harness, complete brake overhaul and tires, not to mention some not so functional upgrades like floor pan patches, uphosltry, etc. so here's a running total so far.....

1957 Plymouth Wagon – Parts cost tracking

28.97 Fuel Pump
1.00 Gas Tank O-Ring
6.13 Rislone Oil
18.99 Silicone Gasket
14.18 Anti-freeze (2 gal)
2.99 Gumout (Gasket Cleaner)
57.48 Engine Oil (12 quarts 10w30)
14.12 Oil filter
12.72 Spark Plugs
200.00 Boil & repair radiator
236.98 Boil & repair fuel tank
150.00 Rebuild Generator
110.00 Rebuild Starter
59.00 New Voltage Regulator
34.90 Soft brake line hoses
27.90 Fuel sender filter & float
100.00 Fuel sending unit
30.55 Gas cap
76.09 Rebuild water pump
14.04 Fan Belt
5.88 Thermostat
.69 Thermostat gasket
1.98 Fuel line-sending unit
6.99 Fuel filter
13.05 Radiator hose
16.33 Radiator hose
18.99 Heater hose
8.72 Bypass hose
45.00 Ignition Key

Sub $1,328.79

Here's my dilema; The underhood of the car is really starting to look cool, all of the original diurt and grime is comming off after much scraping and washing with every harsh chemical known to man, what's revealed is a very "Desert baked" looking under hood area with a nice dry antiqued "rust & old paint patina" on most every componant, even the generator and starter motor are originals to the car and were left unpainted after thier rebuilds, only cleaned of grease and gook. So, what do you guys think? should I go ahead and properly repaint and detail the engine bay to original or should I just leave it all crusty looking but keep it clean and original showing all the wear on everything (which sort of matches the rest of the cars appearance)? I can get the rest of the incorrect blue paint off the intake to give it a more correct "worn original" appearance, it comes off easy.

Edited by Scott Smith Harms 2009-04-18 10:03 PM

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Doctor DeSoto

Posted 2009-04-18 2:03 PM (#170992 - in reply to #170981)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

Location: Parts Unknown

I prefer an an unmolested original over a half-baked resto any time, so I would vote for keeping the patina as much as possible until you decide to do the whole thing.

I have done some painting of valve covers and intake, etc. in the past and then just let them grime up to match - which never takes too long if you are driving it.

I will have to get out your way and see this beast.

Brent

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-05-03 4:12 PM (#172709 - in reply to #170992)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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What are the odds of this? I was looking for an original 301 crank pulley so I started with the local Craigslist ads, I simply typed in "Plymouth" in the parts search, the VERY first ad was for a complete 1957 Plymouth 301 V8 and 2 speed transmission. Not only was it EXACTLY the engine & trans I have in the wagon (looked like a clone of it condition wise as well) it was also in good running condition, local, and cheap! $300.00for the works! So now I have a spare engine& trans for parts etc. I may just strip and detail it and replace what's currently in the car just for the conveinience of having everything accessable.

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Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-10-09 11:28 PM (#191921 - in reply to #172709)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Well time for an update.

It's been what seemed to be a really short summer, I was hoping to get the old girl back together and on the road for some fun this summer but it was not to be, several things hindered my efforts, work being at the top of the list and parts availability being just below it. This was my first adventure working on a pre 60's Mopar (as I'm sure you can see by my many postings with questions), I learned allot about these old cars in the process (much of it to the credit of you board members) you guys got me out of allot of head scratching situations and I appreciate it!

I made my most recent goal complete today by getting the suspension rebuild finished and to get the car back onto it's tires before the snow flies.

I have one PIA hicup to deal with and that is to R&R the torsion bars again, upon lowering the car It went right to the ground so it looks like I missed something in re-installing them. They are in the correct location ("Left" marked bar on drivers side, "Right" on passenger side, both with the R&L facing the rear of the car) I adjusted the bolts with about and inch of thread showing above the anchor as the book instructs but for some reason they don't hold the car up? I'll mess with it some more tomarrow, for now she rests with a 4x4 woodblock under the K member (nice rake though! :)). I invested $400.00 in new generic tires because the others were junk/leakers of various sizes, these 215's are the tallest 14.00" tires I could find locally, they actually look ok.

Edited by Scott Smith Harms 2009-10-09 11:33 PM

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jsrail

Posted 2009-10-10 12:54 AM (#191933 - in reply to #191921)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Really nice wagon Scott! I really want an early station wagon one of these days, but have too many projects going now that are unfinished and driving the wife crazy!

57burb

Posted 2009-10-10 10:45 AM (#191954 - in reply to #191921)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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She's looking great Scott!

Scott Smith Harms - 2009-10-09 10:28 PM

I have one PIA hicup to deal with and that is to R&R the torsion bars again, upon lowering the car It went right to the ground so it looks like I missed something in re-installing them. They are in the correct location ("Left" marked bar on drivers side, "Right" on passenger side, both with the R&L facing the rear of the car)

I've never replaced torsion bars myself, so someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the "L" and "R" go the front of the car, not the rear. The exposed end should allow you to see the part number. Probably a simple fix....

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MOPAR-TO-YA

Posted 2009-03-30 4:33 PM (#168798 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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How did you resist working on this wagon? It is much more solid than many others that have been brought back to life. You have the makings of a very cool old rig..............MO

d500neil

Posted 2009-03-30 5:20 PM (#168807 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

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Scott, the condition of that right rear wheel might explain its inability to hold air.

You might really luck out and find that a new aftermarket A/C compressor, and drier, etc., might be all that you need,
to restore the A/C system to life.

Be sure to drain and clean ALL of its fluids-lubricants.

Nice score!

Sisu

Posted 2009-03-30 5:57 PM (#168809 - in reply to #168807)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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2DR Suburban, what a rare car

Looks very solid, I think its cool the way it is now - also 57burb's Plymouth looks awesome with those Kelsey Heyes wheels...

I'm not neutral when I say station wagons are the finest FL's ever made, you couldn't buy a bigger station wagon in 1957 from anywhere, for any price - that was the slogan at 1957. They really offer so much room, are very usable and reliable, and cool same way as pick-up trucks. What could be a finer car for shopping trips during the week and pick-nick's during the weekend?

Thumbs up!

MoparBrew

Posted 2009-03-30 6:56 PM (#168821 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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I have the same car, only a 58. I'm in the process of doing floorboards right now. Those rubber floor mats suck!! I'm using repro floor pans from RCAR Fabrications. He lists on ebay sometimes, or you can order from his website. I feel his quality is better than anything else available for us. There is another fellow who sell on ebay, but I heard bad things about his product. My project snowballed, floorboards to seat supports and support braces to inner rockers to door sill replacement. Yeesh, thank god I have friends/cousins who weld........Ralph from Brooklyn

MoparBrew

Posted 2009-03-30 7:32 PM (#168825 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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my jalopy........well in appearance anyway......rebuilt 318, powerflite, frontend, leafsprings, disc brake conversion.......Ralph from Brooklyn

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Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-03-30 8:24 PM (#168832 - in reply to #168825)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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WOW! Cool bunch of cars and comments, thanks guys!

Thanks for the leads on floor pan sheet metal, mine is just bad in the very lowest foot well areas up front, everything else including the rockers, rear uper deck, and rear storage well are mint.

I pulled the gas tank today (NASTY!) but it's in good shape, a boil out and a new sending unit and it should be good as new. I do plan on a complete fluid change (front to back) as well as a round of belts, hoses, brake soft lines, etc. All of it is dry and weather checked (as are the tires which is why they are all flat) rims are the originals and mint, no rust or dents.

I discovered that the original color on the car is actually a light "Easter Egg" blue (not white as I originally thought) and it had a black and white interior. After I get the tank back in and the rest of the fuel system up to par I'm going to tackle the brakes (should be fun).

I also have a 58, original red car with a 3 speed on the column and a flat head 6. I bought it as a parts car for the 57 but couldn't bring myself to butcher it so I collected all the parts to get it back together, fenders, hood, inner fenders, rad support, NOS taillamps, grille, rear side glass, etc. No engine or trans though. Not sure if I'll ever have the time or money to do it but at least it's safe for the next guy

Cheers!
Scott

Edited by Scott Smith Harms 2009-03-30 8:28 PM

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Doctor DeSoto

Posted 2009-03-30 8:32 PM (#168834 - in reply to #168832)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

Location: Parts Unknown

Are you located IN Spokane ?

I am surprised I have not stumbled onto this car for all the driving I do.

Another Spokanistaner.

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-03-30 8:37 PM (#168836 - in reply to #168834)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Yep, on E.Broadway just East or Argonne, can't miss the driveway

BTW, who sells the reproduction 57/58 Fury Side Mouldings?

jsrail

Posted 2009-03-31 1:56 AM (#168870 - in reply to #168836)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Very nice wagon, dude! And it started right up, you can't beat this old iron. I got floor pans and rockers from another guy on eBay, nice price and good quality, sells under the name of scopans23.

Jay

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-03-31 2:35 AM (#168873 - in reply to #168870)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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I couldn't find any sellers by the name (scopans23) but I found this guy

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SEAT-FLOOR-PANS-CHRYSLER-DODGE-PLYMO...

Are his any good? How's the price?

Thanks!

Edited by Scott Smith Harms 2009-03-31 2:36 AM

jsrail

Posted 2009-03-31 3:02 AM (#168874 - in reply to #168873)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Scott Smith Harms - 2009-03-30 11:35 PM I couldn't find any sellers by the name (scopans23) but I found this guy http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SEAT-FLOOR-PANS-CHRYSLER-DODGE-PLYMO... Are his any good? How's the price? Thanks!

You know I was just coming back to the forum to edit my post! This is the guy I bought from, sorry, old age is taking its toll on me! lol The outer rockers and front floor pans I bought for my '56 Dodge CRL are very nice, good thickness, and didn't come with surface rust all over them. I am very happy with their stuff so far. Email them to see if they have anything you need. I think he's cheaper than RCAR, but seemed a fair price for what I could find around and they came quickly and in excellent shape, so I'd recommend them.

Jay

dukeboy

Posted 2009-03-31 12:23 PM (#168886 - in reply to #168836)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Scott Smith Harms - 2009-03-30 8:37 PM

BTW, who sells the reproduction 57/58 Fury Side Mouldings?

There's a member that sells the inserts for the '57-'58 mnBelvy/Fury that isn't an EXACT copy, but are made out of Mylar...The guy on the Christine Car Club that was selling the METAL inserts no longer does...He went by "Wayne" here....

Dan C

Posted 2010-03-01 10:52 PM (#212135 - in reply to #168832)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Scott,

Wow, the red/white wagon sure looks familar!

Dan C

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2010-03-01 11:45 PM (#212139 - in reply to #212135)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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It should, it was blackberry bush planter box yard ornament at your place for a while A?

Love your white one!

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345 DeSoto

Posted 2009-03-31 7:43 AM (#168877 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Location: Skaneateles,NY(summer)/Port St.Lucie,FL(winter)

Just for grins, when you do your oil/filter change, substitute a quart of "Rislone" for a quart of oil...and do it at every oil change for about six times. It will dissolve the varnish and slude so that nothing chunks off and plugs a lifter. Great stuff...

suburban61

Posted 2009-03-31 9:19 AM (#168880 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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howdy scott... welcome to the suburban club... as far as the rubber floor coverings go, no one reproduces them because no one apparently likes them... my rubber on the back floor is fabulous (no one ever sat in the back of my wagon) but the front floor rubber is gone... the rubber is bad for rust and i was given the advise of ripping up the rubber and putting carpet in... although i would use the rubber for the floors if i could get it... the only rust my sub has is in the rear wheel well... fab wagons you've got there and the 2-doors are rare... you'll have to go out and find a '59 2-door sub now... cheers adriana

firedome

Posted 2009-03-31 10:01 AM (#168881 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Cool car!! I love it's look as it is right now... Ralph & Scott did you know Alan Ralston in MN is reproducing the seat and under floor support channels for '57-59 FLs? He has a fleet of '59 DeSotos.

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-03-31 12:24 PM (#168887 - in reply to #168881)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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I need that contact info for the floor support channels, I don't think I'll need them but just in case..... I got a quote for the 6 piece floor pans from the ebay guy, he said $407.00 for all 6 plus shipping, doesn't seem to bad I guess. The real shocker was the bill for boiling out the gas tank...$150.00! Geez! I could almost buy a new tank for that ifI could find one.

Thanks for all your help and advice guys (and gals), this is my first 50's car, it's been 60's muscle cars for me since day one, I'm on a steep learning curve.

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Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-03-31 1:00 PM (#168888 - in reply to #168887)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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I'm going to need pretty much every rubber seal for this old girl too (the arizona sun is kind to sheet metal but brutal on anything soft). Sliding side glass rubber runs, rear side glass surround seals, door seals, door glass run seals, rear tail gate rubber as well as the tail gate glass "squeegee" rubber. Does anyone reproduce proper replacements?

57burb

Posted 2009-03-31 4:19 PM (#168899 - in reply to #168888)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Scott Smith Harms - 2009-03-31 12:00 PM

I'm going to need pretty much every rubber seal for this old girl too (the arizona sun is kind to sheet metal but brutal on anything soft). Sliding side glass rubber runs, rear side glass surround seals, door seals, door glass run seals, rear tail gate rubber as well as the tail gate glass "squeegee" rubber. Does anyone reproduce proper replacements?

No one "makes" that stuff per se, but you can use generic stock to rebuild most of the rubber parts you need.

I have a local supplier that deals with restorers nationally, maybe you can call and request a catalog, or see if they recommend someone in your area.

http://www.jandjsupply.net/

jsrail

Posted 2009-04-01 11:47 AM (#168974 - in reply to #168888)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Scott Smith Harms - 2009-03-31 10:00 AM I'm going to need pretty much every rubber seal for this old girl too (the arizona sun is kind to sheet metal but brutal on anything soft). Sliding side glass rubber runs, rear side glass surround seals, door seals, door glass run seals, rear tail gate rubber as well as the tail gate glass "squeegee" rubber. Does anyone reproduce proper replacements?

Scott, same problem with my '56 CRL, darn sun here just turns all rubber to stone! lol The windshield and rear window glass gasket just broke apart in pieces when trying to get the glass out. Walt here found a place for the moulded corner window gaskets for my car. I'm trying to list all the grommets and other rubber items I'll need since I've stripped the body for repaint and might as well replace them now.

$150 to boil out a gas tank was close to what I was quoted around here, though someone my neighbor does biz with qouted me $80 since I was a friend of his.

Your build is coming good man. Keep the updates coming.

Jay

dickjwa

Posted 2015-01-06 5:45 PM (#466873 - in reply to #168887)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Posts: 2

Hi, what is the secret to getting the fuel filler off the gas tank so I can remove the tank ?
Thank you for any help.

big m

Posted 2009-03-31 1:55 PM (#168891 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Nice find, Scott.

These wagons, being sold as utilitarian vehicles had a low survival rate, as they were not pampered. Rubber floor mats hastened their demise also.

I picked this one up from a yard in the bay area several years ago. ---John

('57 2dr Plymouth Suburban 001.jpg)

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'57 2dr Plymouth Suburban 001.jpg (44KB - 521 downloads)

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-03-31 2:17 PM (#168893 - in reply to #168891)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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That's a cool one! Funny, I went to High School in Willows, my family farmed rice.

What model/year is yours? I like the paint scheme, looks sharp!

Edited by Scott Smith Harms 2009-03-31 2:24 PM

Fintail and Son

Posted 2009-03-31 4:50 PM (#168903 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Great story, Scott. It's fantastic when an old engine comes to life and works well. Good luck.---Fred

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-03-31 5:29 PM (#168911 - in reply to #168903)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Sure an easy car to work on, everything is simple and easy to get at although I have tried the oil filter yet. I have the air conditioning parts under the hood pulled now, came off really easy, no buggered up parts. Sent the radiator out for a boil and pressure check, dropped off the gas tank at the same shop (2 week wait! Man we need another rad shop who can boil gas thanks in this town). Parts adding up fast, Gen belt, upper & lower rad hoses, bypass hose, heater hose, oil filter canister refill thermostat = $94.00 at NAPA today. I may as well put a water pump and a fuel pump on while it's appart, that'll probably be another $75.00 or so. Oh well, price you pay for dependable crusing I guess.

Edited by Scott Smith Harms 2009-03-31 5:31 PM

Doctor DeSoto

Posted 2009-04-01 12:13 AM (#168942 - in reply to #168911)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

Location: Parts Unknown

What shop is boiling your gas tank ? I need to do that on our wagon too.

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-04-01 12:32 AM (#168944 - in reply to #168942)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Corky's Radiator 509-325-5130

Doctor DeSoto

Posted 2009-04-01 10:27 AM (#168967 - in reply to #168944)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

Location: Parts Unknown

Thanks, Scott. I drive by Corky's all the time.

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-04-01 11:31 AM (#168973 - in reply to #168967)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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You have to pay attention with them though, he quoted me $150.00 on the phone then quickly made it "About" $200.00 when he saw it (and it didn't look all that bad IMO). I guess it's a good thing, at least I shouldn't need a new tank which may cost more, and I don't want to pull the tank out of the 58, rather leave it intact.

BTW, does anyone have a good pic of the factory correct gas cap? I've seen a bunch of styles and am looking for the factory correct unit.

58Donnie

Posted 2009-04-01 8:56 AM (#168958 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Location: At "The Rock" in upper East Tennessee

For the inserts your looking for the guy that sells them goes by the name "furyjim" (Jim Rawa) and can be contacted through here
http://www.phpbbplanet.com/plymouthrockres/index.php?mforum=plymout...

Or PM me for his email address as I don't know if he would want it posted in public or not.

Here is an example of his stuff.

d500neil

Posted 2009-04-01 3:15 PM (#168983 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

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Scott (duh); be sure to drop the oil pan, too, and the trans pan.

Pan gaskets should be readily available, but "Northwest Transmission" (in Cincinnati!) will have a trannie gasket, for sure.

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-04-01 4:52 PM (#168993 - in reply to #168983)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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d500neil - 2009-04-02 1:15 PM

Scott (duh); be sure to drop the oil pan, too, and the trans pan.

Pan gaskets should be readily available, but "Northwest Transmission" (in Cincinnati!) will have a trannie gasket, for sure.

The oil pan? Why? That could be a real PIA!

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-04-01 4:54 PM (#168994 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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I got the air conditioning stuff off the engine along with the other old rubber. AC stuff came of nice, no broken or screwed up parts, put caps on all the open ends and tucked it in the shop to stay dry.

Any good sources for wiring for these cars or willI have to re-make it all on my own? Everything works but all of the under hood wireing is old, hard, and has chunks of the insulation breaking off.

Edited by Scott Smith Harms 2009-04-01 4:58 PM

(301 V8 A.jpg)

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301 V8 A.jpg (230KB - 359 downloads)

MoparBrew

Posted 2009-04-02 1:53 PM (#169092 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Scott, for some rubber weatherstripping products, check Gary Goers, he has some station wagon stuff, not the sliding glass guides but tailgate stuff and door weatherstrip. check his website and mail away for a catalog.....Ralph from Brooklyn

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-04-02 3:26 PM (#169106 - in reply to #169092)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Thanks Ralph,

Yes, my car was definately a pale blue (like robins egg/pastel blue with no metallics). Looked just like this one:

More questions:

Mine's missing the side trim or was it optional? It doesn't appear to have ever had any?
What was the correct original engine color?
Is there a source for crank pullies? Mine needs a single groove pulley, someone added a 3 groove to add A/C and I'd like to remove it.

Edited by Scott Smith Harms 2009-04-02 3:31 PM

(58 wagon Blue.jpg)

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58 wagon Blue.jpg (28KB - 300 downloads)

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-04-02 4:39 PM (#169112 - in reply to #169106)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Here's the Data Tag, not much on it! Can anyone here decode it?

(57 Data Tag.jpg)

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57 Data Tag.jpg (192KB - 241 downloads)

57burb

Posted 2009-04-02 5:13 PM (#169114 - in reply to #169112)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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That wagon is mine, it's a '57, and that is not a factory light blue.

It was originally a dark blue metallic.

Your factory engine color was all-silver.

This is Bluebonnet (photo from plymouthcentral)

Edited by 57burb 2009-04-02 5:15 PM

(57PP2drBC.jpg)

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57PP2drBC.jpg (116KB - 835 downloads)

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-04-02 5:50 PM (#169118 - in reply to #169114)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Small world huh?

It looks like the blue can vary allot depending on lighting, the blue (original paint) that I see on my car looksmore like the shade that's on your wagon than the blue in the other pic you posted. Pretty color none the less.

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-04-02 5:52 PM (#169119 - in reply to #169114)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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BTW, is it normal for the doors to fit the car like crap? My hinges seem solid and tight and the doors close nice but they sure don't line up very well with the door openings.

Edited by Scott Smith Harms 2009-04-02 5:53 PM

Doctor DeSoto

Posted 2009-04-02 7:07 PM (#169141 - in reply to #169119)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

Location: Parts Unknown

Scott Smith Harms - 2009-04-03 2:52 PM

BTW, is it normal for the doors to fit the car like crap? My hinges seem solid and tight and the doors close nice but they sure don't line up very well with the door openings.

*************************************

Yes ! 57 model cars, especially early production cars (yours is early December) were notorious for having poorly fitted body panels. Everything can look like new and work perfectly and still look like $#@!

My old New Yorker required cutting the driver's door jam loose from the quarter, slicing a tapered cut from zero at the top to 3/4" at the bottom, beating the door jam rearward at the base until they met, and then welding it up ! The gap at the top was acually too big and had to be filled ! It was ugly ! .... but it was a low miles, never monkeyed-with original ! If you plan on painting it, bring it by and we can rough it in before you start your finish work.

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-04-02 7:12 PM (#169142 - in reply to #169141)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Great! At least I don't feel alone in having garbage panel fitment. Heck you'k think with only 2 doors to get fitted they'd get a bit closer.

I'll take you up on that for sure. Thanks!

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2010-02-16 2:16 AM (#209798 - in reply to #169142)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Ok, so I spent some more money on it, going with a 354 Hemi. I posted about it on another thread but figured I'd add it here to keep this thread alive.

(354 Before D.jpg)

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354 Before D.jpg (207KB - 255 downloads)

Finsinthemirror

Posted 2010-02-16 2:22 AM (#209800 - in reply to #209798)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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the paint color chips are very misleading. the silver charcoal poly looks much closer to a turquoise in real life.

Doctor DeSoto

Posted 2010-02-16 3:51 PM (#209888 - in reply to #209798)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

Location: Parts Unknown

Scott Smith Harms - 2010-02-16 11:16 PM

Ok, so I spent some more money on it, going with a 354 Hemi. I posted about it on another thread but figured I'd add it here to keep this thread alive.

***************************************

My memory is fuzzy on this, but I think the Imperial valve covers are unembossed, with only
the spark plug wire covers being marked? By doing a mix-n-match, you can get an unmarked
top end, to then decal as you please. Some custom made period looking decals ID'ing the
engine as a "HY-FIRE V-8" would look pretty cool on those valve covers. Really confuse the
idiot / know-it-alls too !!!!

jsrail

Posted 2009-04-02 6:16 PM (#169123 - in reply to #169106)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Scott Smith Harms - 2009-04-02 12:26 PM Thanks Ralph, Yes, my car was definately a pale blue (like robins egg/pastel blue with no metallics). Looked just like this one: More questions: Mine's missing the side trim or was it optional? It doesn't appear to have ever had any? What was the correct original engine color? Is there a source for crank pullies? Mine needs a single groove pulley, someone added a 3 groove to add A/C and I'd like to remove it.

Are you interested in getting rid of that 3 groove pulley? Wonder if it would fit my 315 Poly? I'll look and see if I still have my single grooce pulley, though you need to find out if it will fit your motor, mine's off my '56 315 Poly.

Jay

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-04-02 6:58 PM (#169137 - in reply to #169123)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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I planned on selling the entire A/C setup (every nut and bolt complete) so I shouldn't let go of the pulley by itself. However, if you have a single groove you know will work on my 57 301 I'll buy it for sure.

Thanks!

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-04-02 7:00 PM (#169139 - in reply to #169137)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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On another note, does anyone make headers for these cars? Not that I want to butcher the car but a headers would be a nice add on and I could keep and stash the OEM manifolds.

dukeboy

Posted 2009-04-02 7:48 PM (#169149 - in reply to #169139)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Scott Smith Harms - 2009-04-02 7:00 PM

On another note, does anyone make headers for these cars? Not that I want to butcher the car but a headers would be a nice add on and I could keep and stash the OEM manifolds.

Not the kind your prolly used to...You know, the Summit Racing $200.00/set Headers.....Anything you find in the header department for the poly's will cost 'ya........Let's put it this way....Before you buy a set of custom made headers for that car, you will prolly pull that old poly 301, and dump in a later "LA" style 318.....

Edited by dukeboy 2009-04-02 7:51 PM

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-04-02 8:26 PM (#169152 - in reply to #169149)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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I get the picture, oh well, leave it stock for now I guess. If I swap engines it will be to one of these, I have a freshly restored one carbs to pan with exhaust from a 60 300F in the garage just begging for a new home!

(61 Long Ram.jpg)

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61 Long Ram.jpg (121KB - 254 downloads)

abqcarl

Posted 2009-10-11 1:32 PM (#192062 - in reply to #169152)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Scott Smith Harms - 2009-04-02 6:26 PM

I get the picture, oh well, leave it stock for now I guess. If I swap engines it will be to one of these, I have a freshly restored one carbs to pan with exhaust from a 60 300F in the garage just begging for a new home! ;)

So why are you worrying about the stock motor??? I would love to have that engine in my '57 DeSoto. Get that thing in there!!

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-10-11 2:53 PM (#192067 - in reply to #192062)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Well my original plan (having discovered that the old beast actually ran) was to just toss a tune up and fresh brakes at it and enjoy it for the summer and do an engine swap later on.

But.......... as can happen with these projects my original plan snow balled into a complete front end and brake rebuild, a completely new wire harness, radiator rebuilt, gas tank and fuel system refurbish, and rebuilding more engine accesories than I had originally planned on.

Then of course finding parts has been a nightmare and time consuming.....POOF! Summers over, it's 19 degrees outside this am! So.........I figure I'll keep tinkering with small stuff over the winter and possibly yank the 301 for a 413 swap next summer. Maybe I'll just leave it stock, it's kind of grown on me over time, the little 301 is a neat little putt-putt engine. We'll see how I feel about it come springtime.

(57 Wagon October 10 2009.jpg)

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57 Wagon October 10 2009.jpg (215KB - 300 downloads)

Doctor DeSoto

Posted 2009-10-11 4:10 PM (#192069 - in reply to #192067)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

Location: Parts Unknown

Looking at your pix, I'd leave the 301 in there and consider a 4bbl and a cam to get the most go-fast and fuel economy out of it. To me, what a car like this has going for it is charm. Kind of a hard to quantify asset, but it is the stripper trim, the dog dishies, that sort of thing. I'd ditch those white stripes and get some correct Rayon blackwalls and that thing would be cute as a button. The monster motor is just all too predictable in a two-door wagon. When was the last time you saw a sedan delivery without Cragars and a big, gawdy engine ? At some point it become cliche. I'd stick with the original charm.

BTW - is that color original ?

Funny, but it was 19 degrees up here on the hill too !!!! This cold is putting the ki-bosh on my shop project. Better buck up and get to it though. I want a roof over my junk before the snows bury me again.

B/G 61

Posted 2009-10-11 4:42 PM (#192070 - in reply to #192069)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Doctor DeSoto - 2009-10-11 4:10 PM

Looking at your pix, I'd leave the 301 in there and consider a 4bbl and a cam to get the most go-fast and fuel economy out of it. To me, what a car like this has going for it is charm. Kind of a hard to quantify asset, but it is the stripper trim, the dog dishies, that sort of thing. I'd ditch those white stripes and get some correct Rayon blackwalls and that thing would be cute as a button. The monster motor is just all too predictable in a two-door wagon. When was the last time you saw a sedan delivery without Cragars and a big, gawdy engine ? At some point it become cliche. I'd stick with the original charm.

Yea, I know you have been collecting that Long Ram stuff for a while now, but I agree with Doc - THEN AGAIN, it is your car (wagon) so do what you want with it . . .

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-10-11 11:26 PM (#192109 - in reply to #192070)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Yea, the tires are just some skids I put on to get it on all 4's again, the previous tires were just a mismatched set of goofy looking low profile jobs that wouldn't even hold air. These are new, and while not cheap ($410.00 mounted and balanced) at least it rolls level for now and I can always use them as rollers for my Duster later on. Some proper tires will be purchased next summer.

The original color is AHH on the code tag (It's a silvery blue/gray light metallic color) sort of reminds me of Winchester Gray used on 71 Mopars. I've never seen an original car that color, sort of bland looking but it could be ok I suppose. I think the car may have been used as some kind of Air Force car, it was located near a base in Arizona so who knows?

You can see the original paint under the tail lamp housing, looks like gray primer but it's not.

(Original color.jpg)

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Original color.jpg (91KB - 263 downloads)

59CRL

Posted 2009-10-13 5:14 PM (#192330 - in reply to #192069)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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I would keep the 301 also, cuz it is a rare engine and most people other than Mopar guys, have never heard of a 301 poly. Chrome out the engine too. I would go with white letter tires like BF Goodrich and chrome smoothie rims.

MoparBrew

Posted 2009-04-02 1:59 PM (#169094 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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I think our cars are originally the same color...Bluebonnet Blue is what I,ve heard. I've recently painted my roof Iceberg White, because I couldn't stand to look at the surface rust anymore and I'm gonna 2 tone it anyway....Ralph from Brooklyn

dukeboy

Posted 2009-04-02 10:40 PM (#169160 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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YEAH!!! That's what I'm talkin' bout!

MoparBrew

Posted 2009-10-10 11:32 AM (#191958 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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I've found on all Mopar torsionbar frontends, when reinstalling the t-bars, try and have the lower control arms hanging as low as possible. The bar ends being a hex, if you "catch" the hex side with controlarm too far up, you'll experience what you are now. 57 Burb is right in the #s go to the rear. Did you reverse the bars by accident or take'em out that way?..From another Suburban guy.....Ralph from Brooklyn

MoparBrew

Posted 2009-10-10 11:36 AM (#191959 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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1 more thing, you'll know if you connected the t-bars at too low a point if when raising the controlarm to attach the balljoint the car goes up in the air. and don't forget to back of the adjusting bolts before removing t-bars.

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-10-10 2:02 PM (#191971 - in reply to #191959)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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I think the screw up was uppon dissasembly. I pulled appart the upper and lower control arms and pretty much everything else attached to the k member before I adjusted the pressure off the TB adjusters, the LCA were last to come off and at that point were not holding any pressure on the bars, when I went to loosen the adjusters they just popped out of the way and the rear TB mounts wiggled free of the car so the adjusters still had full thread engagment from being tightened years ago. When I re-installed the bars I put them into the (still up in the air) LCA's and then back into the rear mounts, the adjusters were already screwed in most of the way and layed into the cradles without any problems, BUT, they only took a couple more twists of the adjusters to tighten them up, hence, not enough pressure/twist.

As far as the L&R markings being towards the front or rear, I used my (still original) 58 2door wagon parts car for reference, it has the bars installed with the part#'s forward. Any further thoughts on this?

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-10-11 10:50 AM (#192052 - in reply to #191971)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Got the TB bars to work, it was simple, I had to bring the adjusters all the way down and spin the rear mounts so that the adjuster cradle was nearest to the floor, then I simply tightened up the adjusters again and it works fine now. Before I started with the rear mount adjuster cradles dropped all the way to the frame towards the ground (duh) and the adjusters couldn't pull them down enough to twist them any.

1960fury

Posted 2009-10-11 11:35 AM (#192053 - in reply to #191971)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Scott Smith Harms - 2009-10-10 2:02 PM

As far as the L&R markings being towards the front or rear, I used my (still original) 58 2door wagon parts car for reference, it has the bars installed with the part#'s forward. Any further thoughts on this?

R goes to the RIGHT L goes to the LEFT. part numbers or L/R toward front or rear is not important of course.

57burb

Posted 2009-10-11 11:39 PM (#192112 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Sand Dune White roof with a Silver Charcoal body, interesting color combination. Someone changed the color on my car too, I wonder why there were so many people dissatisfied with their cheapie 2dr wagon color schemes!

(1957-plymouth-pc.jpg)

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1957-plymouth-pc.jpg (69KB - 768 downloads)

Doctor DeSoto

Posted 2009-10-12 12:30 AM (#192116 - in reply to #192112)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

Location: Parts Unknown

That Silver Charcoal on the sample page doesn't look anything like the color showing under his tail light. One is almost black, the other a very light color. Are we sure that is the right code ? Did the car get painted a new color BEFORE it got that rust color ?

Wagons seem to suffer from a difficult to design roofline. So many are really ugly. A few are really quite stunning though. I never thought Exner got the roof right on the 57-59 4-door wagons like they did with the HT wagons in 60, .... or GM did in 57-58. However, the 57-59 2-door wagon roof is so light and airy with those skinny pillars, it really echos the Googie trends of gravity defying forces holding it up. Always liked those 2-door wagons !

I have long considered a major custom build using a 2-door wagon body, grafted into a full size 57-58 DeSoto, using the regular passenger car fins. That would be the best of all worlds !

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-10-13 3:29 AM (#192261 - in reply to #192116)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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No, that's original paint for sure, and it's everywhere, firewall, etc. The color changes depending on the light, it can look lighter in bright sun but it's generally a medium shade of metallic gray, sort of an "elephant gray". Not the most attractive color IMO but with a white roof, a factory B&W interior and some whitewall tires it might just look pretty sharp. If restored to stock in those colors I bet a set of true spoke wire wheels would really set it off!

narleycharlie

Posted 2009-10-13 8:09 AM (#192267 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Cool car you got yourself there . My 59 Plymouth sat up for 10 years before I got it . I got it running and drove the wheels off it ,had a poly 318 . From sitting up , all the engine seals dried up and I left a snail trail everywhere I went . Trans front seal and engine front and rear mains leaked really bad . Ruined the driveway , future x wife wasn t/aint happy (WTF).

57burb

Posted 2009-10-13 12:07 PM (#192291 - in reply to #192267)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Notice there is an alternate paint code for LA-built cars, meaning it's a slightly different color. Look at your car's trim tag Scott, it is located in the engine compartment, on the passenger's side upper cowl area. If it was built in LA, it would have this style trim tag, and would also be a slightly different (apparently lighter!

) shade of gray.

Would be spectacular in that color scheme btw...

(57burbtt.jpg)

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57burbtt.jpg (74KB - 246 downloads)

dukeboy

Posted 2009-10-13 12:18 PM (#192293 - in reply to #192291)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

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Dump the Big Block Cross Ram motor in it...Wagons with huge engines are cool....Especially with the dog dishes and WWW tires....Love it....I bet that car raises more eyebrows with that engine in it than the 301.....Bet.

Edited by dukeboy 2009-10-13 12:23 PM

d500neil

Posted 2009-10-13 2:09 PM (#192297 - in reply to #192293)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

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The alternative PNT coding , between L.A. & Detroit, may just be that: coding difference, for maybe a different paint formulation, but to produce the same paint color.

Brent, if you look at Danny's paint chip selector's sheet-color, it looks like the actual chip-colors' representations are a tad
'off'--like, in/for that shade of Sand Dune White .

I also agree upon the modification of the OEM engine; if I read your posts correctly, you still have
the OEM engine block, plus a spare engine?

Either engine will need a rebuild, so, after a boring out of the OEM engine block, you can investigate getting a slightly
taller piston (it can still be flat-topped) to increase the compression ratio.

A Poly head is a very economical design; get them ported & polished, with a nice bottom-end cut
camshaft, and balance the crankshaft, and install a rebuilt WCFB carb, or even 3 dueces, and
a set of glass-packs, with 2 1/4" aluminized pipes, and you'll be good to GO.

BTW, probably very few of us, having an OEM engine in our cars, realize that the thermostat
housings are probably very badly corroded, beneath the area where the upper radiator hose
connects to it.

Your spare engine looks like its T-stat housing is still in decent condition.

Edited by d500neil 2009-10-13 2:22 PM

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-10-13 4:08 PM (#192315 - in reply to #192297)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

Veteran

Posts: 209
100

Yes, correct, the car still has it's original engine that runs well, and I found an identical spare 301 and auto trans out of a running driving 57 Savoy for $300.00 (delivered to my door no less!). So, spare OEM parts are plentiful if needed, and yes, BOTH thermostat housings are still good, I blasted the one off the spare engine and it had some minor corrosion but it's still solid all the way.

Here is my body tag

(Trim Tag 57 Plymouth.jpg)

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Trim Tag 57 Plymouth.jpg (100KB - 327 downloads)

d500neil

Posted 2009-10-13 4:15 PM (#192318 - in reply to #192315)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

Posts: 19146
5000

Location: bishop, ca

I don't know WHEN that P/T plate-car was actually built, but is has a VERY-very late Scheduled 1957 build date!

Boy, Danny & Scott should definitely go get their cars' IBM card copies.

Late 57 Dodges received the 1958 Dodge dashboards; Scott, does your car have the 57 dash, or
the 58 one? (rear view mirror location at forward/rear of the dash, respectively).

Edited by d500neil 2009-10-13 4:19 PM

57burb

Posted 2009-10-13 4:18 PM (#192319 - in reply to #192318)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

Expert

Posts: 3967
2000

Location: DFW, TX

I'm awaiting a response from Chrysler Historical. How long does it take for them to respond to inquiries? I just wanted to make sure the service is still available before sending them $90.

Do you think his or mine is possibly a 1956 date? I ask because the body numbers are far different, the tag is slightly different (headers) and mine indicates Chrysler WCD-LA and his is just Chrysler.

Now that I look at it, mine may be an extremely EARLY car because the VIN is 25222664, and LA production started with 25215001, a difference of 7,663. Is it possible mine is one of the first 10,000 FL Mopars produced? Hmmm.

Edited by 57burb 2009-10-13 4:23 PM

Scott Smith Harms

Posted 2009-10-13 10:23 PM (#192368 - in reply to #192318)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

Veteran

Posts: 209
100

Mine has the 57 Dash (gauge cluster is B&W numbers on the gauge faces, my 58 has greenish numbers). I think the mirror is located further forward on the 57 but I'll have to check some old pics to be sure, it's currently out of the car. My 57 also has the lower grille without the add on filler bars, I was told this was a feature of an early car? It is possible that it's been replaced, the passenger fender was replaced at one time due to an accident so it's possible it got replaced as well with an earlier used one.

Edited by Scott Smith Harms 2009-10-13 10:29 PM

d500neil

Posted 2009-10-13 4:22 PM (#192320 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

Posts: 19146
5000

Location: bishop, ca

It's $90-bux, now?????--you should get it w/i 2 weeks of order, I hope.

Back in the 90's, you/I could get as many different cars' cards, as 'we' wanted (& I got 10+ cards, probably, for various 56-59
D500s) for $15.00 each.

....Well, all shall be revealed, when you get your IBM card copy.

Edited by d500neil 2009-10-13 4:24 PM

57burb

Posted 2009-10-13 4:23 PM (#192322 - in reply to #192320)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

Expert

Posts: 3967
2000

Location: DFW, TX

Two cars, $45 ea

suburban61

Posted 2010-02-16 5:32 AM (#209807 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

Expert

Posts: 1480
1000

Location: Australia

i agree... the original colour chips are way off... the colour of my suburban is carnival red, and the colour chips make it look like its a dirty red/ brown colour... and then you look at photos in the original sales literature and magazines and it looks like an orange/red... but matching it with the front window recess and under the paint under the tailgate crank it came up a real deep red, which in my opinion looks alot better than that of the colour chips or the literature... the colours in photos can lie depending on the light source....also with the sales literature the paper/ printing quality was not at its best 40-50 years ago, not to mention how it has most probably deteriorated with age... adriana

d500neil

Posted 2010-02-16 4:09 PM (#209895 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

Posts: 19146
5000

Location: bishop, ca

57 IMP's had the "Chrysler Firepower" embossed on them.

The 58 IMP's got "Imperial" embossed onto their VC's.

57burb

Posted 2010-02-16 4:17 PM (#209900 - in reply to #209895)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

Expert

Posts: 3967
2000

Location: DFW, TX

The only un-stamped original Chrysler Hemi valve covers were found on Dodge trucks from '57-59. They were painted or stickered as "POWER GIANT 354" but no stamping. All passenger cars were stamped "Chrysler FirePower", except as Neil has noted, the '58 Imperials which are stamped "IMPERIAL".

Edited by 57burb 2010-02-16 4:19 PM

(116_0704_03_z+1958_dodge_700_truck+valve_cover.jpg)

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116_0704_03_z+1958_dodge_700_truck+valve_cover.jpg (79KB - 269 downloads)

Doctor DeSoto

Posted 2010-02-16 5:21 PM (#209916 - in reply to #209900)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

Location: Parts Unknown

Well, there you go !

The Forward Look Network, ever at the ready !

d500neil

Posted 2010-03-02 4:16 PM (#212203 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

Posts: 19146
5000

Location: bishop, ca

I've never previously seen the 354 Dodge truck valve covers having that 'metallic' applique on it/them.

I'd bet that that engine was a vintage 1959, as the various 59 Mopes seemed to have had appliques be
installed on their VC's .

Scott, hope that you stick with having a 301 engine in your car--either the OEM guy or the replacement
motor/trannie you found.

You could, always, build-up/dress-up that 301 engine, and even install some glass packs onto its dual exhausts.

mstrug

Posted 2011-06-26 10:26 AM (#278016 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

Expert 5K+

Posts: 6500
5000

Location: Newark, Texas (Fort Worth)

wagon blue 58 an Dans 57

Edited by mstrug 2011-06-26 10:34 AM

(58PSubSport.jpg)

(58plydanny-wagon_fortworth016.jpg)

(58subblue2dr.jpg)

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58PSubSport.jpg (62KB - 235 downloads)
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58plydanny-wagon_fortworth016.jpg (77KB - 431 downloads)
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58subblue2dr.jpg (65KB - 257 downloads)

big m

Posted 2015-01-06 7:38 PM (#466885 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

Expert 5K+

Posts: 7806
5000

Location: Williams California

The fuel filler is probably stuck at the O-ring, hopefully not with rust build up. I remove the three screws, then liberally spray penetrant o0n the sides of the fill tube, then wiggle and pry upwards carefully. Sometimes these can be really stubborn.

---John

ArnieC1958

Posted 2016-11-15 11:13 AM (#526310 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

New User

Posts: 3

Nice car.

Paul Hettick

Posted 2016-11-16 1:59 PM (#526389 - in reply to #168770)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plymouth 2 Door Suburban Wagon - IT RUNS!

Elite Veteran

Posts: 705
500

Location: California

Great wagon! Bluebonnet blue is a 58 color. Sky blue is the 57 color. And it is beautiful.

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