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1961 Newport needs direction please
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Monaco Man
Posted 2015-06-21 10:48 PM (#482300)
Subject: 1961 Newport needs direction please


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Posts: 5

Hey, I have a 61 Newport 4dr. sedan that my Grandpa bought brand new. It has sat since 1970 due to the transmission going out. Time, mice, pac rats, have taken their toll on it. This will not be a restoration by any means, but I would like to get it back on the road and have a safe, reliable cruiser. I rescued it a couple years ago and got it all cleaned out. I cut out and replaced the whole trunk floor, and have started replacing floor pans. My next major fix on it will be the drive train. It still has the 361 and auto trans. Surprisingly, I hooked up a battery and the engine turns over like is was parked yesterday. But, here is my problem. I am married with a 2 year old and a limited budget. I have a 318 with 904 with only 40,000 miles out of a 76 Aspen. I also have a very nice running 72 Dodge pickup with 318 and 727 that I am willing to use for the Newport. I don't really want to spent the cash to rebuild the 361 and the power flight, but with the information on engine swaps I have read I am a little confused about which option will end up costing me more in the long run. I know that the engine mounts, driveshaft, and a lot of other problems will arise with trying to put a small block in it, but is there anyone out there who has done it successfully? I am pretty good a fabricating so I think as long as I can get a small block to sit in the engine compartment without the oil pan hitting the steering I can make the mounting parts work. If I go this route, I will just put in a floor shifter to eliminate the push button set up. I will be installing a 8 3/4 out of a 68 Monaco also. After reading about all the horror stories on getting brakes on these cars, I am still not real sure what to do there either. AAJ looks to have a good product, so I am kind of leaning towards them. I would also like to rebuild the steering and front suspension, so if any body has and advice on that, it would be very much appreciated. Thanks for any advice, Jason
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ttotired
Posted 2015-06-22 12:28 AM (#482309 - in reply to #482300)
Subject: Re: 1961 Newport needs direction please



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If it were me, I would get the trans fixed and get the original engine running, then you dont have to go to all the effort to try and replace the entire driveline

I think that would work out a lot easier in the long run

Having the other parts available for free does make going that way look more attractive, but I would sell those parts to fund fixing whats there

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60 dart
Posted 2015-06-22 4:14 AM (#482330 - in reply to #482300)
Subject: Re: 1961 Newport needs direction please



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a minor overhaul on the 361 and trans might be the better of choices --------------------------------------------later
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61sene
Posted 2015-06-22 2:46 PM (#482380 - in reply to #482300)
Subject: Re: 1961 Newport needs direction please



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Location: temperance, MI
I agree with Chuck and Mick, the engine may just need some gaskets, seals, and a tune up, check to see what its gonna cost to have the trans gone through, prob be the more cost effective way to go. I took the slant 6/904 out of my 61 dart to put in a 360/a518 combo and it still cost me about 2000.00 when all was said and done, did the Work myself, and I had the engine/trans in the garage. Buy the time you purchase all of the Crap you need like shifter, fluids, drive shaft mods, exhaust,and everything else that will not interchange, your gonna have more in it then what you prob think. Best to work with what you already have in my opinion-Joe
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JT Vincent
Posted 2015-06-22 10:45 PM (#482433 - in reply to #482300)
Subject: Re: 1961 Newport needs direction please



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I agree with the guys, here. If you're inclined, do a compression and oil pressure check on the 361. They are pretty bulletproof. I imagine you mean Torqueflite, not Powerflite? They did use Powerflights into 61, but I think they are uncommon in senior MoPars after 57. Regardless, get someone to sell you a B engine (58-61) cast-iron Torqueflite and just swap it in. You can technically keep the converter, but it's probably contaminated, so I'd change that, too. Some of the folks on here have these things lying around. I actually do, but depending on where you live, shipping is going to be expensive. If your car was a Powerflite car, you'll need a different shifter box. Not a big deal. I would not put a later model LA engine in the car. It's not worth the effort and the motors are honestly no better and way less torque-y than a B block. I would also not rebuild or replace a Powerflite. The same amount of effort applied to a Torqueflite wil give you an extra gear and a better transmission.
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ruchaven
Posted 2015-06-23 9:45 AM (#482473 - in reply to #482300)
Subject: Re: 1961 Newport needs direction please


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You have received some very good advise here, use it. The transmission may only need minor adjustments, have a good tranny man look at it. Like JT says, that it more than likely is a Torqueflite, they are good trannies.

Catch ya later.
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Monaco Man
Posted 2015-06-23 7:30 PM (#482547 - in reply to #482300)
Subject: RE: 1961 Newport needs direction please


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Posts: 5

Thank you for all the ideas. I am going to look into the condition of the 361 some more. Did anyone have any ideas on brakes and steering parts?
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ttotired
Posted 2015-06-23 7:58 PM (#482550 - in reply to #482300)
Subject: Re: 1961 Newport needs direction please



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Same as the engine

Plenty of parts around if you start looking

The hard parts to get for most of these cars are the accessories and the stuff that died quickly like potmetal parts, trims, grills ect

Tie rod ends, ball joints, brake cylinders ect are not that hard, but if your anti Chinese parts, that changes things a bit

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61sene
Posted 2015-06-24 3:41 AM (#482598 - in reply to #482300)
Subject: Re: 1961 Newport needs direction please



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Location: temperance, MI
Like Mick said lot of stuff around still can find most of it though most of the chain auto part stores, if you have one with a good parts guy that doesn't mind taking the time to find what you need, go see him, there's been a couple things that the computers didn't list out anymore but a good parts guy will go to catalogs and make calls for stuff, if your lucky enough to have one were you live.
If your fine with drum brakes they work well, just take a little more service time, if you live in hills or mountains you may want to upgrade the front to disc, if you live in the plains drum are decent just give yourself room and don't drive like a dick. if you wanna go to disc Roger @ AAJ is real helpful, you can buy everything from him or just get the basic kit and purchase the rest through Napa, advanced, rockauto, or whoever you want. we used scarebird on my buddy's valiant, they seemed to be decent, so you could check them out as well - Joe
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61sene
Posted 2015-06-24 4:09 AM (#482600 - in reply to #482300)
Subject: Re: 1961 Newport needs direction please



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Posts: 43
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Location: temperance, MI
Jason, I forgot to put this in the last post, if you have a sec, Google "mopar tapered axle rear brake conversion". It's a walkthrough on converting tapered axle swedged drums to the later style slide on drums. Pretty simple. Just takes time, not much money and tools. I would've put the link in but I'm not that tech savvy, hope this helps - Joe

Edited by 61sene 2015-06-24 4:12 AM
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JT Vincent
Posted 2015-06-24 2:44 PM (#482644 - in reply to #482300)
Subject: Re: 1961 Newport needs direction please



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Based on how long it's been sitting, you should probably run all new lines and rebuild and/or replace all of your cylinders. If it's got manual brakes, a dual master cylinder is available that's basically bolt-in, although it needs a proportioning valve and usually a new pedal push rod that is adjustable. If you are using the old style booster, the process is almost the same, but you need an MC that is short enough to fir under the booster. Steering stuff, as the guys have said, is pretty easy to find. Common wearing parts, ball joints, tie rod ends, idler arm, etc. If you have PS, hopefully the pump and the box aren't leaking. They sometimes hold up forever, and sometimes don't. I always triage this stuff in order. Engine (the thing has to go), brakes (the thing really has to stop), the steering, accessories, and finally cosmetics. Post some pics!
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Monaco Man
Posted 2015-07-01 8:17 PM (#483357 - in reply to #482300)
Subject: RE: 1961 Newport needs direction please


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Posts: 5

Here are a few pics of my 61.





(61 a.jpg)



(100_4620.jpg)



(61d.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments 61 a.jpg (143KB - 177 downloads)
Attachments 100_4620.jpg (102KB - 150 downloads)
Attachments 61d.jpg (110KB - 152 downloads)
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Polybun
Posted 2015-07-02 10:34 AM (#483407 - in reply to #482309)
Subject: Re: 1961 Newport needs direction please



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ttotired - 2015-06-21 9:28 PM

If it were me, I would get the trans fixed and get the original engine running, then you dont have to go to all the effort to try and replace the entire driveline

I think that would work out a lot easier in the long run

Having the other parts available for free does make going that way look more attractive, but I would sell those parts to fund fixing whats there



No, easy in the long run is putting in a drive train you can actually get parts for. That means the 66 and newer stuff. but then again if you just wanted easy in the long run, you would be shoving a small block chevy and a power glide in there. Easy often times isn't the most enjoyable choice.
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Monaco Man
Posted 2015-08-19 9:43 PM (#487567 - in reply to #483407)
Subject: Re: 1961 Newport needs direction please


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Posts: 5

Hey, I just bought a 61 Newport four door parts car. It is a 361 with factory 3 speed on the floor. Bare bones rubber floor mat, small hub caps, and no power steering. I am now thinking that it would be cool to put the 3 speed into the one I'm fixing up. Does anyone know if the floor hump is different, and will the clutch pedal swap over fairly easy? Thanks, Jason
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JT Vincent
Posted 2015-08-20 12:46 AM (#487580 - in reply to #487567)
Subject: Re: 1961 Newport needs direction please



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Well, yeah... I'd go with a Torqueflite, though. Your clutch and bell-housing will bolt up. The 61 stick on a Chrysler is rare, and sorta cool. You need to cut a hole in your transmission tunnel. Don't worry about perfection, it's not that important on your car. Line it up based on your parts car, and use the part of your manual transmission tunnel for the floor. I forget if it's a bolt-in panel, or welded in. You can pop rivet or bolt it in. It's not structural. Just seal the seams. Keep the boot. They are hard to come by. The clutch pedal and short brake pedal assembly is virtually bolt-in. You'll want to replace the clutch and throw-out bearing while you have it apart. You'll want a clutch alignment tool. Follow the steps in a Service Manual for the manual transmission and clutch on your car. Or buy B block cast iron transmission from a 61 (not later), and a torque converter. It's an easier swap. If you go back to an auto transmission--you MUST replace the torque converter with a new, rebuilt one, or one from a car you have faith in. Transmission failure will infect a torque converter.

Keep those rubber floor mats, if they're not trashed. They are rare.

Good luck! It's not a dauntingly hard problem.

Best,

Jon
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R41HP
Posted 2015-08-20 1:39 AM (#487587 - in reply to #487580)
Subject: Re: 1961 Newport needs direction please


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Having owned 1961 Chryslers since 1983, I'd have to say that while the manual transmission is rare and unusual in my eyes, the pushbuttons get more attention from regular people than most anything else about the car. And if you think about it, the pushbutton auto is pretty cool. So, do what you want, but if you want to represent your 1961 Chrysler to the outside world keep the pushbutton auto. In this day manual transmissions in the big world are not unusual. Pushbutton selectors are. And it will save you some work.
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61ChryslerMan
Posted 2015-08-21 12:01 AM (#487671 - in reply to #482300)
Subject: Re: 1961 Newport needs direction please



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I agree with keeping the push button. It is one of the many cool things about our newport.
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budweiser
Posted 2015-08-21 6:54 AM (#487676 - in reply to #482300)
Subject: Re: 1961 Newport needs direction please



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Well, at my point of view as being nominated as official OEM - hater of the North Pole I'd like to support Your original idea of engine swap...
In case You have the skills and parts available it is only a matter of decision, do You want a restored puppy or a driver which is capable to take You from coast to coast if needed.
-a '72 pick up has a rear sump oil pan which is a good thing on most custom aplications.
- you can keep the push button shifter with 904 or 727, just buy a conversion kit from A&A Transmissions.
-Every possible car does not need to be restored back to original condition, with engine swap You will get a good driver, with 318 LA engine +904 or 727.
-rear axle swap with parking brake conversion is a piece of cake, something that anyone can do.

-If You would like to step up with better handling and have needed skills, it is relatively easy to swap the whole front suspension (frame clip) from a newer vehicle, For example I have used a late nineties Lincoln town car front clip which has exactly same frame width as my '57. Just keep Your eyes and mind open for all possibilities, automotive engineering has gone a bit forward since these beauties were designed and I must admit some "modern" parts are better than the old ones : )
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Monaco Man
Posted 2016-01-28 11:25 PM (#502632 - in reply to #482300)
Subject: RE: 1961 Newport needs direction please


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Posts: 5

After 7 months I finally have the old 361 back together. I knew I was in over my head when we got that sludge filled thing tore down. With lots of help from my dad and a friend that boiled the block and heads we got the 361 cleaned up. We put in a couple new valves and a new set of rings and bearings. After 2 wrong sets of rings from summitt, I found a standard set from my local parts store. It's always a learning experience to rebuild an engine, but a few new things from this 361 was, a cheap little engine stand is not a good idea to bolt a big block mopar to! Rocker shafts are impossible to clean sludge out of until you take the plugs out of the ends and use a 12 gauge gun cleaning brush and solvent. Then find new plugs to put back in the ends. Still a long way to go and still unsure of what transmission I'm going to go with, but I haven't lost interest yet, and can't wait to hear this thing run!.
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61ChryslerMan
Posted 2016-01-28 11:58 PM (#502637 - in reply to #482300)
Subject: Re: 1961 Newport needs direction please



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Keep it up! Its pretty cool to run something that old.
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1961plymouthfury
Posted 2016-01-29 3:15 AM (#502649 - in reply to #482300)
Subject: Re: 1961 Newport needs direction please


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You would be better off rebuilding the original motor and transmission. That way you will know its been done
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