Projects 1930 Plymouth U project

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Progress:

 

I had a 1933 plymouth 4 door around 20 years ago. What I did was ordered a disc brake kit for the front brakes from Butches,installed vega steering box,duster 8 3/4 rear end and 360 mopar motor.Car was fast!! Got a lot of info from Butches.

 

Did a bit more last week. Got the old mounts that held the Datsun stuff out of the way. Took a bit of doing, but it looks like the installer left the frame alone and tried to use existing holes, as far as i can tell.
I think my next step is to get my hands on Butch’s engine install kit to see what needs to move out of the way, steering and hydraulics-wise.

 

Spent a good amount of time in the garage over the holidays. Felt good to make some progress. I have high hopes in the late 50's/early 60's small block 283 I picked up. I tore it down enough to see what kind of shape it's in, check torque settings, replace a few key parts, do some baseline maintenance stuff, and add a few upgrades.

used a straight-edge and feeler gauge on all surfaces - flat as a pancake (huzzah!).


checked the bearings, cleaned up the gasket surfaces and installed a new oil pump



trying to keep track of everything.


Next on the list is use a new set of thread chasers to clean all the bolt holes so I get correct torque settings, slather the head bolts in thread sealer, install the heads, intake manifold, and possible tackle a carb rebuild, while waiting for my butch's cool stuff engine/trans install kit to arrive. Also need to source a tranny, starter, flexplate, etc. but I've got some time on that.

 

I was wondering how you were comming along. I've got at least the starter that you can have.

ski

 

Rebuilt the original Rochester with the middle kid at our kitchen table:

All went well. No spare parts...lol

 

Been a while since my last update.
Been mostly working on the 283 and after months of refreshing and prepping, my dad and i got it fired up this past weekend. Hurray!
We let it idle for about 20-30 seconds and it was showing 50psi of oil pressure.
The rochester carb that my kiddo and i rebuilt seems to be doing very well mixing the fuel and air, too.

Next step is to find a th350 locally and begin the refreshing/resealing process.

Finally got around to ordering up my engine install kit, too. Seems very slick:

Full kit

Trans mount

Engine mounts

 

Thanks, Ski! I’m all set there, but i appreciate it!

 

Definitely thinking the wood wheels are going to be replaced this year, once i put in the new rearend and update the front to rustyhope brakes...

 

Any updates?

 

Thanks for asking, Ski. Been busy lately, but one update is that I finally picked up a TH350 transmission from a 67 pickup. Nice condition. Came with the fill tube, torque converter and a cool NOS Hurst Shifter.

Other than that, I'll say that I honestly am scratching my head on what to do next. I have an engine and transmission to connect and install, but I'm wondering if I need to make some decisions on what my steering and brake setups are going to be going forward? From my measurements, I am still unsure if I'll be able to keep my stock steering and i'm pretty well committed to getting an upgraded braking system including a front disc conversion. Considering going to a different steering box to allow for the new motor, but that's another can-o'-worms...lol.

 

I'm probably headed in a similar direction. Rustyhope/scarebird brakes, vega steering, Butch's pedal/booster mount (if they have one that works for my application), SBC, th350, hurst shifter, Chryco8.25 rear.

 

First test run of the 283. (I was excited...lol) Trying to adjust the timing and some of the linkages...

 

Carved out a few hours to work on the Plymouth. Its a requirement of the Butch’s kit to box the frame where the engine mount goes. So i got to work, in cardboard first, creating some plates out of some scrap 1/8” steel. I prepped the metal and then burned in two plates.

(Thats about as good as my welds look generally, due to flux core wire and my skill level, but they’re structural and i haven’t had one fail yet...knock on wood..lol)

 

Progress...

...

 

Progress: installing discs and 60’s dodge steelies on the original 1930 spindles. Pretty slick kit from ScareBird

.

 

New el cheapo paint job


Working on a floorboard replacement

 

First time building a floorboard. It’s fugly but its stout.


Under the sheetmetal is a steel support for the Hurst Pro-matic

 

Also picked up a alternator mount that’ll work (fingers crossed)with some of the tight clearances on my install

.

 

Bit more progress - documenting for posterity.
Relocated radiator shroud to accommodate length of the SBC, that should allow for either a mechanical or electric fan. (Not sure which yet. Suggestions?)
Had to create some DIY mounts that weld to the original support. Rough but solid welds there.

 

Updated pics. Pulled her out to fire up the 283 for the first time since installing

 

Still have a ton to do, but it certainly was encouraging to hear this wee beasty run for the first time since being installed.

 

You are SO lucky to have that RARE crank hole cover!

 

I am? Please tell me more? There is so much that i still don’t know about this rig!

 

The crank hole covers are usually lost or just gone. The square items are especially tough to find. The DeSoto of the same year has similar body and fender parts. If you decide to change out the light switch, I am interested in the one at the base of the steering column with all of the wire tabs on it.
John

 

John, the clum switch is gone. I asked Lowbuck about it when I visited him last week.

 

Got a couple hours in the garage last night:
1. Secured front of hood pivot
2. Worked on adjusting rear pivot out the edge of the firewall to remove gap (relocated radiator)
3. Pulled front driver wheel hub since i realised i didn't install inboard oil seal. [facepalm]
4. Cleaned up my plug wires with this slick little wire guide:

 

Good progress. I love it. Should make a good cruiser!

 

Thanks!
Hey, added a video a few posts up, just fyi. Motor sounds pretty good to my semi-trained ear. Gettin’ good oil pressure, too.