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1956 D500 Rear Springs
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dougruffner
Posted 2010-10-24 10:39 AM (#246830)
Subject: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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Were 1956 D500 rear springs 5 leaf or 6 leaf with the stiffer suspension? Were 12" brakes a part of the HD suspension or ordered separately?
Thanks
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Sportsman
Posted 2010-10-25 7:16 PM (#247017 - in reply to #246830)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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My '56 D-500 has 5 rear leaf spings. The D-car springs were also flatter to help lower the ride height. I've collected a number of early road tests and articles about those cars and there appears to be some confusion and misinformation about some of the parts specs. One of the articles I have says that they came with 8-leaf spings, but I'm just not seeing that.

There were two versions of the D-500 for '56. There is the earlier production cars called "road-to-roof" which had the 315 hemi and the specific suspension package which included the 12" brakes. My understanding on the later D-500 Specials was that you basically got either the 315 hemi and the standard suspension, or, a 315 poly with the suspension/ 12"brake package. The introduction date of the Special cars was in January of '56 which is when my car was built. I'm not completely positive that you could either get, or absolutely could not get, a so-called "road-to-roof" car after that January Special introduction date. I'm thinking probably yes.

There are a few knowledgeable D-500 folks on this board that may add more. It was very confusing early on when I started to research my car because it took some digging to sort out what was accurate and what was not. Plus, there just isn't exactly volumes of information about these cars to start with.

Edited by Sportsman 2010-10-25 7:54 PM
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dougruffner
Posted 2010-10-25 11:40 PM (#247051 - in reply to #247017)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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Thanks for your post. Does your car have 12" brakes?
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d500neil
Posted 2010-10-26 2:38 PM (#247108 - in reply to #246830)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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I just wanted to check on this, before posting, but, the "early-initial" run of 1956 Dodge D500's (the 'civilian'
models, not the race car D500-1's ) had 12 x 2 1/2" brakes, and, the same-as-Fury 6-full rear leaf springs,
which also served to lower the car's rear end by 1 1/2", and its center of gravity/roll-center.

Later, around March (iirc), the D500 engine became an engine-only option on all of the Dodge models.

Originally, the D500's were (intended as being) specific Custom Royal 2-dr hardtop & vert, and Coronet Club sedan models, with a "suggested paint combination" (as stated in the factory's D500-introduction announcement, of 12/22/55) of Sapphire White and Coral, however: "...it may be ordered in any color or combination listed in the current [paint-] code book."

The 'real' D500's also had "heavy duty" steering knuckles and arms, and axle shafts.






Edited by d500neil 2010-10-26 2:40 PM
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Sportsman
Posted 2010-10-26 7:16 PM (#247149 - in reply to #246830)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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Yes my car has the 12" inch brakes. I figured that out pretty quickly during the recovery operation.

Despite whatever the brochures, books or articles say, my car is a real "road-to-roof car", and has the big brakes, the 315 hemi with adjustable valvetrain, and only 5 leaf springs. I doubt they were ever swapped out, although it could be possible. It was taken off the road in 1962 and had been sitting in the same spot until I dragged it home.
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dougruffner
Posted 2010-10-26 7:37 PM (#247152 - in reply to #247149)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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Sounds very authoritative and correct. I think I will install the 5 leaf rear springs, front springs, and 12" brakes, spindles, and steering knuckles that I took off of the Royal D500 parts car. It didn't have an engine, but it sat really low in the back. I think the rear end that's in the Golden Lancer is the 4 pin differential since it has 12" brakes. If not, I know the rear end out of the Royal has the front yoke that was described as belonging to a 4 pin diff. Then I should have the road to roof D500 package. It will be interesting to see what the punch cards say about the factory build for this car. I'll be ordering copies of it from Chrysler Historical Society in the near future.

Your car sounds like an interesting find. What are the details? Do you have pictures? Thanks for your post.
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d500neil
Posted 2010-10-26 8:19 PM (#247162 - in reply to #247152)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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

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Doug & Marty, you both should check your car's P/T plates, on the far-left-lower side, to see when they were
Scheduled to have been built.

You should see, there, a double set of numbers, like 12 04, or, 03 13 etc...which will correlate to the month/day that your car was supposed to have been built.

You both should also buy a copy of your cars' IBM build cards, because both of your D500's are relatively rare, and valuable.

An early-built (rarer) D500 will arguably have a higher value than a later built one, with only the Hemi engine installed in it.

BOTH of your cars may well be early edition models, but, probably, only the Custom Royals and/or Coronet sedans may be the early, heavy-duty equipped cars.

The IBM cards will confirm the actual build date and the car's OEM engine number.

The correct 6-full leafs would be hard to find, any more, due to their limited production/installation.







Edited by d500neil 2010-10-26 8:23 PM
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dougruffner
Posted 2010-10-26 9:21 PM (#247177 - in reply to #246830)
Subject: RE: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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A picture of my data plate is attached, the date is 0723. I think that the build date is probably July 23, 1956, because the Golden Lancer color scheme was a spring option (supposedly). Also, I have the Dodge Owner Service Certificate for this car. The info is:

42618XXX - Vehicle Number

D500-7518 - Engine Number

Custom Royal - Model Code

Lancer - Body Type

December 29, 1956 - Delivery Date

Issued by Weatherly Motor Company  Ventura, California

From the engine number, the colors, and the delivery date, this was probably one of the last D500's built. It also appears to have sat on the dealer's lot for a long time, unless the certificate was for a used vehicle.





(1956 Dodge CRL45.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments 1956 Dodge CRL45.jpg (180KB - 180 downloads)
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Sportsman
Posted 2010-10-26 11:50 PM (#247204 - in reply to #247177)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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My car is pretty rough in spots, but it's virtually complete. My opinion is that if you stumble across something like this, it's your obligation as an enthusiast to bring it home. The car collected some water in the trunk, but sheetmetal work doesn't scare me at all. Writing the check for the chrome bill will be the hardest part of the build. It's a Custom Royal Lancer, all white exterior, blue/black interior and it's got many options; PS, PB, PW, Power Seat, bumper wings and cross-bar, twin antennae, twin mirrors, etc. I'd really prefer a manual trans, but I may be able to live with the PF. I was more interested in the chassis and suspension goodies than the option doo-dads, and confirmed the performance chassis pieces, brakes, sway bar, and 5 1/2" wheels. My car sits with the same slight negative rake that is shown on the test cars in the HR article and another road test I have from '56.

I haven't ordered the IBM card yet, or even had a lot of time to spend on it. If your looking for some research material, I have a few good aricles I'd be happy to send you. I've found the information slow to come by.

I found this after Neil's post jogged my memory:

The D-500 was announced to the public on 12-22-55 on the CRL and Coronet models (as stated above). On 3-2-56 dodge announced that it was extending D-500 availability to all models, including wagons and four-doors. Then a week later it was announced that Dodge would offer D-500 power as an option to any V-8 model. It cost $86 on the Coronet and $63 on the Royal and Custom Royal, plus $18 for dual exhaust (standard on the CRL) and $27 for the 12-inch brakes - which could be deleted. These cars, which Dodge referred to as D-500 Specials, did away with the heavy duty chassis parts of the original road to roof cars in response to customer feedback, because they said it rode like a truck.

My favorite article on the D-500 is in a '56 Hot Rod Magazine by Racer Brown. He road tested the car, and raved about it. "Now here is an exceptional automobile", is how it opens. I think he had a few of the facts confused with the D-500-1 but he did mention a long option list and the availability of things like a 20-gallon fuel tank, 9/16" wheel studs and 6 1/2" wide wheels. Dodge did publish an option brochure when they announced the Specials, but I've not been lucky enough to stumble across one.

The buying public was not always as enamored in great cars then, as we are today. My first car was a 1969 Pontiac GTO. It had a very high serial number and was produced in late July of 1969, near the end of the model year. It sold new off the dealer's lot on Christmas Eve - of 1970. almost 17 months later, for about 30% under the original MSRP. It was a normal car, not some order sheet freak show, so there was really no reason it didn't move.

Tell us more about your car. How long have you had it ? How did you find it ?

Edited by Sportsman 2010-10-27 10:12 AM
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dougruffner
Posted 2010-10-27 1:15 AM (#247210 - in reply to #246830)
Subject: RE: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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It was on ebay a couple of times earlier in the year. I kept in touch with the guy and bought it in May. I live in Iowa, and the car was delivered about a month later. I have several mid fifties Pontiacs including a convertible and a Safari. Enough about them....

I always liked the look of mid fifties Dodges. I'm glad I got this one. It's rust free coming out of southern CA. I have another 56 Dodge that will get used for parts to get the Golden Lancer running. It's a 4 door hardtop Custom Royal with a power pac 315 and loaded with everything, low mileage, and runs well but is pretty rusty underneath. I'll also transfer the power steering and brakes and other options like the fancy front bumper. I almost hate to part it out, but I don't have time to chase odds and ends forever. The Golden has been tinkered with some, and some things are missing - like the engine. I have a correct D500 hemi with all the accessories and manifolds that will get rebuilt and installed later. The goal is to get it running and drivable and complete. I'll do the full restoration later.

I'm trying to remember if I saved the sway bar from the Royal D500 parts car. Is the D500 sway bar different? How can I tell? I hope I did save it or the Golden already has it.
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56RoyalLancer
Posted 2010-10-27 11:53 AM (#247245 - in reply to #246830)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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Doug and Marty, There is a member of this list who is a wealth of information on the 56 D500 cars. His name is Tim. He lives in Golden, CO if I recall. He is the proud owner of a 56 D500-1. I am sure he will offer more information as soon as he sees this thread. On a side note, I own a 56 Dodge with the performance package as well. Doug, does your parts car have the 230 script on the glove box? Does it have dual exhaust? Does it have the performance distributor? Does it have the vibration dampener? I am interested in gathering information on the performance package as well.
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d500neil
Posted 2010-10-27 5:29 PM (#247300 - in reply to #247245)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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The 9/16" wheel studs (on 5.5" centers) on 6.5" wide wheels....was the D-500-1 race-car wheels, shared with the 56 Imperials.

The civilian D500s all rode on 1/2" studs, on 4.5" centers, and 5.5" wide wheels.

The 'early' D500's had the 12"x 2.5" brakes; non-D500's carried 11.5x 2" brakes.

The above information appears on the American Manufacturers Association Specifications for the regular, and the D500
models, as revised on 2/15/56.

Whether any D500's, after the engine-only option was made available, on 3/2/56, had the 12" brakes installed on them IS
a possibility, as the maxim for all things MoPar : "Never-Say-Never"....applies to our cars.

As far as the stabilizer bar is concerned, the A.M.A. Specs do not include part numbers, but, the SAME (apparently): "steel ; linkless" stabilizer bar was included as standard-equipment on ALL of the Dodge models, including, even, the inline 6-cylinder Coronets.

The one-sized stabilizer bar (its thickness is not recorded) was used, on all the 56 Dodges, because probably the CHRY/Des/IMP bars were too wide to fit the Dodge/Ply chassis.








Edited by d500neil 2010-10-27 5:54 PM
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dougruffner
Posted 2010-10-27 6:59 PM (#247314 - in reply to #246830)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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Hello 56RoyalLancer, The Custom Royal 4 door hardtop has the poly engine with a Carter WCFB 4-barrel carburetor. There were three distributors for 315 engines: one for the 2 barrel poly version (Super Red Ram) - P/n IBJ-4303, one for the 4 barrel poly (Super Red Ram with Power Package) - P/N IBJ-4303B , and one for the hemi, which is not listed in my Dodge Service Manual. This car has the correct distributor, dual exhaust, and heavy duty air cleaner which is the same as the one used on the hemi engine but painted black instead of red. I'm not sure if it has a vibration damper. The car is stored in another state, but I will check the next time I am back there. There is no 230 on the glove box, but I did hear of a D500 that had 230 on its dash.
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Sportsman
Posted 2010-10-27 7:27 PM (#247316 - in reply to #247300)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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According to the C-A article quoted above - the D-500 engine option required dual exhaust if not already standard equipment on the model ordered, and, 12" brakes (which makes perfect sense) but those could be deleted. So in fact, I would expect to see many of the Specials with big brakes, if there is any credence to that aricle.

This is why some of the available information is so confusing, all of the articles I have seem to contradict each other in some way shape or form. I'd really like to score a copy of the D-500 option brochure. Another interesting note on the AMA specs. for '56 is that Dodge suppied information that the D-500 was listed as a separate model, which we know was never the case. If it were, that would certainly have made things a lot cleaer today.

I've also heard of D-500 cars with the big brake option, 5.5" wheels and 500 badges, etc., but a poly under the hood. One of the members here had one as a parts car. That availability as an option never seems to be mentioned anywhere else.

The research and history of cars like this is what still makes it all interesting, even nearly 50 years later.
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56RoyalLancer
Posted 2010-10-27 10:43 PM (#247341 - in reply to #246830)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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Doug, The script on the glove box was only put on early "power package" cars and reads "super230powered". Let me know if you would like to see a picture of it. To my knowledge this was only put on the power package cars and not on the D500 optioned cars. If you have the vibration damper on your parts car and would be willing to sell it, I would be interested.
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dougruffner
Posted 2010-10-28 12:55 AM (#247355 - in reply to #247341)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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I'm probably going to use this engine and transmission for a while to get my Golden running, but I'll keep you in mind later when I rebuild the hemi and put it in.
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Sportsman
Posted 2010-10-28 11:33 AM (#247399 - in reply to #247355)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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Yeah, post a pic of the "super230" script.
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56RoyalLancer
Posted 2010-10-28 10:48 PM (#247476 - in reply to #246830)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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Here is the picture of the super230powered script on the glove box.



(s230.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments s230.jpg (9KB - 186 downloads)
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d500neil
Posted 2010-10-30 3:38 PM (#247652 - in reply to #247476)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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

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On the 1956 Dodge IBM cards, there are option-boxes/coding for : "ENG POW PKG", SPL MOTOR"; "BIG POW PKG", "MISC SPL EQP" and "MISC EXTRA EQP"....

The ENG POW PKG, the SPL MOTOR & the BIG POW PKG options are all 3-digit codes, which means that there was only one unique option-type/feature that was available in/on each of those option-codings.







Edited by d500neil 2010-10-30 3:39 PM
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dougruffner
Posted 2010-10-31 10:50 AM (#247728 - in reply to #246830)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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Do you know what those codes mean as far as the actual options? It appears that the engine was ordered separartely from the H.D. suspension and/or 12" brakes. It would be great if someone had a sheet that tells what the options codes mean.
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rbmain
Posted 2010-11-01 1:37 PM (#247839 - in reply to #246830)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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The 1956 D500 and Special Fury sway bars were substantially thicker than the regular Dodge and Plymouth V8 models. It's the same one used in the 56 Desoto. The spindles from the 56 Chrysler Windsors and Desoto Fireflytes (with the 12" brakes) will bolt right up to the ends of the upper and lower control arms on the Dodge and Plymouth. That's how Chrysler did it without going broke making a very limited run of special parts. The required wheels are 4.5 x 5 for 7.10x15 tires but have the larger center hole to fit on the 12" drums. (The large chassis with the 5.5 on 5 wheels was the Chrysler New Yorker/Imperial, and Desoto Firedome.)
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d500neil
Posted 2010-11-02 2:40 PM (#247982 - in reply to #246830)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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

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As I mentioned, above here, the 1956 Dodge American Manufacturers Association (A.M.A.) specification sheets do NOT
state that any 1956 D500 model carried a different or unique sway bar system from the standard Dodge sway bar.

Went home last nite and checked with the 1955 -1958 Master Parts Book, and have confirmed that the ONLY sway bar
which was available to any 1956 Dodge (or Plymouth--same P/N for them, too) is :...... 1630185.

The 1956 DeSoto sway bar (the sway bars are technically/officially known as being "Sway Eliminator Shafts" ) is : .....1639165.

The 1955 Dodge Sway Eliminator Shaft carries P/N : ....1554884.

The 1957-1958 Dodge Sway Eliminator Shafts (shared with the 57 Firesweep, the 58 'Firesweep' station wagon---apparently--,
and the 58 Windsor--all of which were built on the Dodge assembly lines) is unique....but, I didn't write down its P/N.

These bars are all somewhat different from each other, and have unique installation applications.




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d500neil
Posted 2010-11-02 2:46 PM (#247983 - in reply to #246830)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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

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I would think that Greg's "Super 230 Powered" car would be coded, on the IBM card, as having the "ENG POW PKG"
which is (or should-be-) the 4-bbl carb and dual exhausts.










Edited by d500neil 2010-11-02 2:47 PM
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d500neil
Posted 2010-11-03 3:51 PM (#248115 - in reply to #247983)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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

Posts: 19146
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The P/N for the 57-58 Dodge sway bar is....1671438 .

Don't have a 1959+ Parts book, but bet that this sway bar is used on the 59's, at least.





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rbmain
Posted 2010-11-03 7:52 PM (#248153 - in reply to #246830)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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d500neil, the D500 and Fury special parts were NOT documented in the standard parts books. Special Bulletins and notices were issued. Mostly these cars were produced for the NASCAR trials in Daytona. The D500 and Fury builds were started late in the 56 model years by skunk works groups that were flying by the seat of their pants. I only have the Bulletin for the 56 Fury. I have two sway eliminators hanging on my wall, both fit 56 Plymouth. I had five 56 Furys at one time 7 years ago. The standard sway bar is 0.75" thick, the heavy duty one is 0.87" thick. Richard

Edited by rbmain 2010-11-03 8:09 PM




Attachments
----------------
Attachments Special 56 Fury Parts.pdf (222KB - 269 downloads)
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d500neil
Posted 2010-11-03 9:56 PM (#248189 - in reply to #248153)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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

Posts: 19146
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Richard, I have the A.M.A. specifications sheets on the 1956 D500's, which lists ALL of their special equipment, including
the engine and the mechanical items that are unique to them.

The D500 sway bars are SHARED with all of the 'regular' Dodges, and, the Parts book identifies the 56 Dodge sway bars as being
1639165.

If the D500 sway bars were unique (like, E.G.: the various axle ratios that were available only to the D500's), then the A.M.A.
specifications would so-identify them, as being available or provided onto the D500's.

It is what it is.





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rbmain
Posted 2010-11-03 10:01 PM (#248191 - in reply to #247982)
Subject: Sway Bar



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d500neil, It turns out I do have the Dodge D500 Bulletin that shows the Desoto sway bar is correct for the 56 Dodge D500. It's dated Jan. 12, 1956 and is Supplement to B Bulletin J10 dated Dec. 22, 1955. Sway bar is part 1639165. I would think an internal Bulletin from Byron J. Nichols, VP and General Sales Manager of DODGE DIVISION would carry more authority than your AMA thingy.

Edited by rbmain 2010-11-03 10:11 PM




Attachments
----------------
Attachments Supplement to B Bulletin J10.pdf (37KB - 239 downloads)
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dougruffner
Posted 2010-11-04 3:00 PM (#248244 - in reply to #246830)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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I read your attachment. I think it may be for the D500-1 option which included 2 x 4 barrell carburetors, even bigger, (wider) brakes, and a different bolt pattern for the wheels.

I'll just measure the sway bar that's on the car. It might clear up a lot of questions since my car has 12" brakes on the rear and 11" on the front. I've been trying to determine if it had the full D500 suspension or was a D500 special with the engine only. If it's 7/8 as suggested, then my car probably had the D500 suspension and someone took the 12" brakes off the front. If not, then someone may have put a rear end with 12" brakes and station wagon 6 leaf springs under it.
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d500neil
Posted 2010-11-04 9:12 PM (#248258 - in reply to #248244)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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

Posts: 19146
5000500050002000200010025
Location: bishop, ca
That A.M.A. "thingee" is the OFFICIAL document that each factory submitted to that member-association in order to
confirm the factory mechanical aspects of each of their car models.

The 1956 Dodge A.M.A. Specifications forms were (initially) submitted on Sept 30, 1955

I, too, have both the "Confidential Price Bulletin" of 12/22/55, and the "Confidential Price Bulletin" of 1/12/56, that you reference.

I DO see on the latter that the "Chassis Parts Group" includes the sway bar #1639165, (which is for the 1956 DeSoto, as is
confirmed in the Master Parts Book).

So, you are correct in that regard; Dodge DID have an optional D500 sway bar (1639165) available, as part of an option group,
but the P/N 1630185 IS the standard D500 sway bar.

I wish that Dodge would have confirmed ON that Bulletin what the ordering-option group NUMBER-CODE was, for that "Chassis Parts Group", which included the 'DeSoto' sway bar!

We apparently have the same photocopies, and, again, I failed to notice the sway bar's P/N change, from the standard
bar, as listed on the A.M.A. spec pages.

Dodge must have amended the A.M.A. specifications, o.o.a. 1/12/56, to reference the changes that it made to the D500's
options, pursuant to the Bulletin-change of 1/12/56.

I also see that the 1/12/56 Bulletin shows different front and rear springs and shock absorber P/N's, from those as listed
on their 12/22/55 Bulletin, as being optionally available, and, 15x8" wheels were then optionally available, too.

Doug, you should, also, get your car's rear end 'up', so that you can determine its axle ratio (tire revolutions, compared with
driveshaft revolutions.

OK---so we, at least, have confirmed that the optional D500 sway bar 'came' from the DeSoto application.

Thanks for getting me to dig into my own D500 documentation, Richard!!!







Edited by d500neil 2010-11-04 9:18 PM
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Sportsman
Posted 2010-11-05 7:29 PM (#248368 - in reply to #246830)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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Just from the "junk" sitting in my driveway I was able measure the sway bars on (2) '56 D-500s and a '56 Fireflite.

Early build D-500 road-to-roof car (January '56) - Measured 0.823-0.825"
D-500 chassis, probably a Special, has big brakes, Mfg. date unknown - Measured 0.819"-0.821"
Fireflite Sportsman - Measured 0.873"-0.875"

The DeSoto bar looks like it will bolt right in to the Dodge. I'm not sure exactly how much the extra 50-thousandths would improve the handling of the car, but I like the fact that Dodge was paying attention to all aspects of performance, at least before they announced the Special. They were offering bigger brakes, H-D chassis parts, multi-carbs, multi-rocker shaft engines with adjustable valvetrains and solid lifters and 2 1/2 exhaust, in a time period when some of their competitors were still struggling to work out the kinks with pressurized oiling systems and sleeved bearings. Somehow Dodge let that magic kind of fizzle away just a little bit too soon.

I think it's important to keep in mind that a lot changed in a short amount of time with the D-500, so what the factory was actually pumping out of production was anybody's guess. And, 55 years later we're still arguing about it. In the span of about 70 days, the D-500 was released, the D-500-1 was released, the D-500 line-up was expanded to all models and then finally the D-500 was made available as a "power" option on all models.

Neil, any chance we could talk you into sharing the 11-22-55 release information ? If you want to list it in the For Sale forum or on e-bay with a B-I-N, I'm ok with that.

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d500neil
Posted 2010-11-05 7:57 PM (#248375 - in reply to #248368)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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

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Oh, there's a LOT more info, than just those two documents, on the D500-1's and the D500's, out there.

Have you (or any OTHER 56-types) thought about joining the SECRET SANTA festivities?????

Santa HAS been known to play favorites--and, NOT just with his reindeer....ahem.

Amazing what a slight thickness-difference can make, with T/bars and with S/bars.




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Sportsman
Posted 2010-11-05 9:16 PM (#248391 - in reply to #246830)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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I was under the impression that Santa didn't exist.

I've collected just about everything I can find on the D-500, and it's not much. I'm sure there are a lot of other fascinating documents in Moparland regarding the D-500. Tapping into that source has been proven to be problematic. Maybe I need to take a stab at CHS.

I have a lot of experience with chassis performance in my previous life as a muscle car enthusiast and I'm gonna say that when driving blindfolded on a high-speed slalom course, I doubt that anybody could tell the difference between the DeSoto and Dodge sway bars.

Doug, did you get a chance to measure your sway bar yet ?

Edited by Sportsman 2010-11-05 11:27 PM
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rbmain
Posted 2010-11-05 10:57 PM (#248399 - in reply to #248368)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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Sportsman, here's the complete series of 1956 Dodge Bulletins I have, the 12-22-55 one is interesting. The D63-D500 steering knuckles are the same part numbers as the Desoto and Chrysler ones (with 12" brakes). I found out these will also bolt up to the 55-56 Plymouth control arms as well, and disc brakes are easier to find for those four bolt backing plate types. Richard

Edited by rbmain 2010-11-05 11:09 PM




Attachments
----------------
Attachments 1956 Dodge Bulletins.pdf (240KB - 390 downloads)
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Sportsman
Posted 2010-11-05 11:40 PM (#248404 - in reply to #246830)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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Hey, Neil was right after all - there is a Santa.

Thanks Richard. Great Stuff!
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56RoyalLancer
Posted 2010-11-06 9:37 AM (#248449 - in reply to #246830)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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Richard, Was there a suppliment or bulletin for the "super powered" super red ram package? I will look in my documentation as well. Another observation on the documents Richard attached is that the D500 models prices reduced by an average of $200.00 from the Dec 1955 Bulletin to the March 2006 Bulletin. Thanks for attaching documents Richard!
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dougruffner
Posted 2010-11-06 12:13 PM (#248465 - in reply to #246830)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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It's pretty clear that the specs for these cars changed a lot. Add to that the fact that cars built late or early in the model year sometimes had parts from both years. It makes it hard to document a car's authenticity. What it looks like to me is that, at least as of Dec 22, 1955, the stock D500 option had the hemi, 12" brakes, different springs that lowered that car, different wheels to fit the brakes, and the flags (fear the flags!). Other equipment to juice it up even more was available over the counter, and probably most D500-1's were dealer installations. One of my questions was whether the 12" brakes and springs went together, and it appears that on Dec 22, 1955, they did. So, I'm going to take the front and rear springs that I took off of the parts car and install them on the Golden realizing that the parts car may have been a hodge podge D500 built later in the year. I could look at the parts car's data plate if I can find it to determine the build date. It was a Royal 4 door sedan, so that tells me it was a late car. Those springs are 5 leaf, and it sat low as would be expected for a D500. The 6 leaf springs that are presently on the car make it sit too high, and a lot of mismatched hardware makes it look as if someone worked on it previously. So the first project will be to swap out the front and rear springs and install the 12" brakes on the front. I'll measure the sway bar and get the rear axle ratio and report back. Thanks rbmain, d500Neil, and Sportsman for all your help. How do I join the Secret Santa Society?
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dougruffner
Posted 2010-11-06 12:24 PM (#248468 - in reply to #248465)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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By the way, the D500 Royal had deluxe factory air. That's the one with the air intake scoops on the outside and the two belt compressor. I saved all of it and have nearly everything needed to put A/C on a car with a hemi. I think the only thing missing is the condenser and a couple of the copper lines that hooked up to it. The evaporator unit is in very good shape. I have the compressor, pulleys, and all the hardware needed to install on a hemi engine including the water pump housing which is unique to the hemi A/C cars. I also have the scoops, the switch, and all the ducts that were in the package tray. Probably should post it on parts for sale forum. Any idea what it's worth?
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rbmain
Posted 2010-11-06 8:35 PM (#248534 - in reply to #248449)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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56RoyalLancer, I posted all I had on the D500. I got this incidental to collecting 56 Fury Literature.
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dougruffner
Posted 2010-11-07 1:27 PM (#248609 - in reply to #248534)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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Are part numbers stamped anywhere on the rear springs? Thanks.
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oldwood
Posted 2010-11-07 2:56 PM (#248620 - in reply to #248609)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs


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I got a call from a guy trying to sell me a '56 4dr Dodge Coronet D500. He is sending me pics. He said it was ordered for a police dept out of Canada but was shipped in error. I just thought I would throw this info in this thread.
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d500neil
Posted 2010-11-08 3:53 PM (#248743 - in reply to #248620)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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

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The P/N's appear on the shortest leaf, as Sir Clive shall reveal to ya'll shortly.




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Rebels-59
Posted 2010-11-08 5:04 PM (#248759 - in reply to #248743)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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d500neil - 2010-11-08 7:53 PM

The P/N's appear on the shortest leaf, as Sir Clive shall reveal to ya'll shortly.





FROM NEIL D500

These photos were taken and annotated by fellow
D500 researcher Greg Leggatt, a while ago.

You'll see that both sets of springs were OEM SILVER
and that their P/N appears on the shortest leaf spring--
which is good, as the shortest leaf is the easiest one to see!

The IMP springs have 6 1/2 leafs; the Dodge has 4 1/2 leafs.




(637.jpg)



(638.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments 637.jpg (104KB - 167 downloads)
Attachments 638.jpg (111KB - 188 downloads)
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dougruffner
Posted 2010-11-08 7:33 PM (#248788 - in reply to #246830)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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Thanks Sir Clive. Can the part numbers be read without taking the springs apart?
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d500neil
Posted 2010-11-08 7:41 PM (#248790 - in reply to #248788)
Subject: Re: 1956 D500 Rear Springs



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

Posts: 19146
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Location: bishop, ca
If you look where the spring-attachment (forget what it's called right now) is located, from the shadow-images
on the springs, the entire P/N should be readable, on the short-leafs.

Check on both sides of the two leaf spring assemblies.



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