I have just purchased a 33 5 window dodge coupe and was wondering if anyone knows the difference between the 33 and 34. There seems to be more parts available for the 34. The body is in great shape but I am going to need some parts. I have a 283 chevy engine being built which should work good in it.
While the 283 is a good engine, Please use a Mopar engine! An early polyhead engine would be wonderful in your Coupe.
33 and 34 Dodge and Plymouth cars are very similar and parts are interchangeable. The differences are mostly in the dash, the cowl vent area spacing and shape of the back of the hood. The 33 front fenders are very open while the 34 is more skirted where it meets the running boards which are also different. I am currently helping a friend with a 33 Plymouth Coupe build. You can check out our build thread here. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/uncle-ricks-33-plymouth-project.680682/ We are using a 34 body and had to modify the rear shape of the 33 hood to fit. All the other 33 body parts fit just fine. I am a Chevy guy by nature and have a few close friends who have built several Mopar rods. The 33/34 Mopars are a great looking car and they do not have all the wood problems the early Chevy and Ford cars can have. Do yourself a big favor and run a Mopar drive train in that build. It will make the car that much nicer and more desirable if you ever decide to sell it.
Maybe to some. Hemi, of course, but past that a mopar motor would actually make me lose any interest as a buyer.
Then you don't need a mopar cuz your not a mopar dude...once the engine has been replaced with a chivvy it's not even a mopar to me anymore. That cheaper, more popular, plentiful argument won't wash with me...and it sure as hell won't run better than a mopar!
HEMI but its easy to spend someone else's money what type of parts are you looking for most sheetmatal is not difficult to make http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/a-little-work-on-a-33-plymouth.933683/
I never claimed to be a "mopar dude" despite my several early hemis and a few early dodge bodies (including a 34 Dodge coupe). I'm a CAR dude.
33 and 34 Plymouth coupe bodies have a different windshield rake . The doors will not interchange without surgery . I think Dodge bodies are the same.
Ran Chevy small blocks in my 33 since 1972. Dead reliable, easy fit. That 283 can scream or purr with great gas mileage. Almost unbreakable. Huge information pool, most engine builders can build exactly what you need. Excellent crate engines available at reasonable prices. There are many good reasons why this is the most popular swap engine ever. Good luck with your car.
We are in teh middle of a 33 Plymouth right now. Just finishing a wedge chop. Just cut the w/s posts 1 1/4" and left the back stock, looks perfect. Next is to fill the top and repair some factory joints that have rust in them. This one is going to run a late 6.2 Hemi and 6 speed.
What ever happened to Hot Rodding? Apart from a flathead in a Ford, same brand purism is not traditional Hot Rodding. How come no one cares what diff you run, before we know it, people will be expecting same brand parts like master cylinders and driveshafts. The 283 is a good engine, Hot Rod that car
Mopar guys are a little bullheaded. They will not talk to you if you put a Chevy motor in it. If you do it, leave the hood shut.
In those years, I believe Dodge had two different hood lengths, did Plymouth? As said above main differences were windshield rake and front fenders. Being all steel body, they are much easier to work on than Ford or Chev bodies. As far as engine put what you want in it, let the crybabies cry!
A CHEVY IN THAT NICE LITTLE MOPAR WOULD BE A CRIME. A 318/340 WOULD FIT NICE AND KEEP ITS SOUL! CRAB LOUIE
318s are good for 70s Tradesmen vans,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and boat anchors. They last forever, but have a tough time even getting out of their own way.
Great Car! Yes, it's popular and easy for good reasons, but how many here on the HAMB are telling ford guys they should go SBC instead of flatties or other fords... And stock for stock, 318/340/360 Mopar has the engineering all over the SBC- Reliable shaft mounted valvetrain, 18degree heads, 6.123inch long rods. Yes they cost more than a chevy to upgrade- but you dont need to upgrade as soon as you would with a chevy.... -rick
Phttttttt 426 max wedge or 426 hemi while we are spending his money. I am going to suggest without ever looking at it that there is a lot of difference between '33 and '34 that is without getting my book out to take a look. My reasoning is that if there was not you would see parts for both and not just one of them. Here is an excerpt from an article maybe it will help:
The Jalopy Journal
