383 Mopar in a 48 Chrysler ????? Anyone??

My wife has a 1948 Chrysler Windsor "Limo".
The ole' spitfire and fluid drive are getting weak.
I thought about swapping over to a 225 Slant 6 or a 318,
but I just came across a running 383 and 727 auto on
Craigslist for 300.00 obo.



My question is have any of you done this swap?
Mopar BB into a late 40's Coupe or Sedan, I think wold be the same.

Thanks, Jeff

 

They've been put in 46-8 Plyms & Dodges, so....

 

That looks like about a '63. Good motor and trans combination. Just get the pushbuttons and cables and driveshaft.

 

Seen a 413 in 48' chrysler. 383 should fit.

 

Thanks for the heads up guys.
Now I just gotta convince the wife that we need the 383.

Jeff

 

Would it deffinatly be a pushbutton auto ?
Cuz that would be even cooler, I think my wife would love that!

BTW the add says its a '66 383.

Jeff

 

I was guessing based on the pictures of the valve covers. Looking again that raised potion around the breather could be a 66.

300 for a complete running motor with a trans is pretty good. Might even be a 4 barrel.

Pushbutton shifters ran up to 64, the cable trans continued to 65 and can be used with buttons. The 66 model year was the standard lever-linkage system.

Still grab the driveshaft, the 66 yokes are kind of a bastard year. Its also likely got an 8-3/4 if you can talk him out of it....

 

66 would most likely NOT be a pushbutton trans.

 

66 wouldn't be a pushbutton, but a good motor and trans. $300 is a good deal. That is what i have in mine. Mine is a 2bbl, but still has plenty of go (and decent mpg).

That is a nice looking car you got by the way

 

$300 for a B/RB is a good deal for the motor alone. The Torqueflight is a winner too. You could always put a later trans behind the early motor if needed to get the standard linkage. You'll appreciate all the torque that motor has to offer pulling around that barge

 

The 383 is a great engine, I have one for my 49 dodge wayfarer. I had to cut the firewall to get it to fit. Your hood looks alot longer than mine though.

 

This thing is a damn bus!

I thought it was bad with just my wife and I driving around,
But then when you add five more adults and three kids.....

Jeff

 

Iv'e noticed that too. It looks longer then the std Windsor sedan also.
I dont think its longer but it sure looks that way.

Did you have any other fitament issues?

Jeff

 

Thanks I'll relay the message to the wife.

Jeff

 

Someone over at www.p15-d24.com has made this, or similar, swap. I saw some pics awhile back that they posted. Try their search.


.

 

It's gotta fit better than the 400 Pontiac in my '40...that required everything to be moved or cut out...

 

The '66 trans is definitely NOT a push-button-shift!

Cable-shifted 727 and 904 trannies continued, in the D/W series Sweptline pickups, through the 1968 model year. Cable-shifted car trannies stopped at the end of the 1965 model year.

Push-button shifters ended in cars at the end of the 1964 model year, with the exception of Imperials, which used them through 1965. Ended in pickups at the end of the 1964 model year.

Do not confuse cable-shifted, which had a shift lever on the dash, with the push-button shift mechanisms, which are different.

 

Length should work, may need a little firewall massage.
Width will NOT work with stock steering. Probably a good time to update anyway.
Weight should be close. Those old flattys aren't thinwall castings!
Cooling is something to pay attention to from the beginning. You don't want to have that overheat.
Grab the driveshaft. Swap out the rear. I have a 68 Coronet 8.75 in my 40 Plymouth. Others have mentioned a later model Cherokee rear too. There are sites with rear end widths. Search here or the net for the site links.
You will want to go to 12 volt neg ground. Consider replacing the harness and gauges.
Brakes should be upgraded with more power. There are threads here for that.
If you are that deep, do at least the shock mount change up front, if not more. A big car with more power could use more suspension.
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/46-48Chryslers/
Lots of stock info over here, and a few rods. Pretty slow (10-15 posts a week), but lots of old info. I don't know how much it will help you in this current phase.
This guy would prpbably like your old motor.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=383630

 

Well, Hello Mr. Information!!!

I was thinking the sterring would be one onf the bigger hassles
of the swap. The brake swap would be nice too. Its number 2 on the list
of things you notice when you drive around town with 7 people in the car.
Number 1 is that the fluiddrive doesn't like to shift durring uphill acceleration.
The wiring is definatly going to be changed. Right now the wires to the generator
have no insulation!!!!! I have no idea how this car has not caught on fire yet.

Thanks Guys
Jeff

 

I'm squeezing one into a 47 Dodge. I'll be watching this one.

 

Limosines have a division glass between driver's compartment and passenger compartment.
Chrysler made a 7-passenger sedan with jump seats in the rear behind the driver's seat.
If your Windsor doesn't have any of these features it is simply a common everyday 4door sedan.

 

Bigdad did a big block swap but changed his front frame and suspension.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/member.php?u=10451
shadow MT customz did a small block. Take a look at his blog, LOTs of good info
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/member.php?u=4805
Joel torres is doing a complete frame swap
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/member.php?u=78134
I've got frame measurements posted here. BTW, it also has ID sections and there was a Windsor 8 passenger sedan/limo that's longer than the standard 4 door sedan. Looking at the pictures and the first post in this thread, yours is the big one. You can ID it for sure with the numbers shown.
http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=5304940&an=0&page=0#Post5304940
Here's a Dakota frame swap for a 40 dodge in progress
http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=Rodder&Number=5004671&page=0&fpart=all
Here's some pictures of my small block in a 40 Plymouth
I based it on the same article that's posted in shadowmtcustomz blog
http://www.pacificautotronics.com/MOPAR/hot%2040/
and here too
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/album.php?albumid=131
Here are some pics of a Desoto with a small block. This is the guy that was willing to host my pictures (Thanks again).
http://www.pacificautotronics.com/MOPAR/99DeSoto/
A 46 pickup on a Dakota chassis
http://rides.webshots.com/album/300985977tszAFe

There are other good threads here, try searching.
I wouldn't suggest swapping frames unless yours is really bad. Considering it's currently running, I doubt that's the case.

For info on Mopar stuff, including scans of original factory training material, the Imperial club is great. Here is a page from there for wiring harness sources.
http://www.imperialclub.com/Part/Electrical/harness.htm

You could also rebuild and hop up the flathead. Do a search here for Chrysler flathead. However, with the cheap buy-in on the big block, getting rid of the Fluid Drive and the size of that car, you probably are better off swapping.

 

The B/RB isn't the biggest motor around dimensionally, so fitment shouldn't be the biggest issue. However, there will be factors you need to consider should it take a little wrangling to get it in there. Type of oil pan should be a main concern. B/RB is a center sump, but depending on what came factory, you may have frame interference issues. Luckily, you can get a Mopar rear or front sump pan to remedy any issues you may have. Same goes for exhaust. Check you width and try to determine if you will have issues with steering or frame member. Remember that the B/RB starter is on the left, so you may be in close proximity to your steering box. May not be an issue, but it's worth pointing out. Also, your oil filter juts out on the left in front, and that could be a possible clearance issue. You can remedy these issues by running a modern mini-starter (2000 dakota) or short oil filters or a relocation kit. measure a lot, and test fit over and over

 

Its got the jump seats but no glass divider.
Thanks for the info, I always wondered if it was a real limo or just a step
between a sedan and limo.

Now I know: 7 passenger sedan. Mystery solved!

Jeff

 

No frame swap for me. Not on this project. I also thought about a hopped up
Flatty but, like you said its a big car and I'm money ahead getting the Big Block.

I just talked to the owner, He's gonna demo the 1966 Newport its in right now.
He's the 3rd owner and its got 59,000 miles on the Odometer.
I'm going to take a look on wednesday. I'd like to make a deal for the entire
drivetrain 383, 727, driveshaft, and rear end. I'll take the camera.

Jeff

 

Be sure to contact Olddaddy for disc brake swap info.


.

 

I will definatly do that when the time comes.

Jeff

 

Here is my 48 plymouth with a 440/727. i also have a 48 chrysler like yours with a 440/727, but changed it to a mbz diesel. the plymouth needed the firewall reworked but the chrysler had a straight 8 so the 440 was no problem. do as rod said on the brakes and shocks big improvement.

 

Mine

 

Well, the 383 guy flaked on me.
Didn't answer the phone and the add is off of Craigslist. Probly sold it I guess.

I'm still hunting.
Found a couple complete early 60's sedans with 318's and pushbutton 727's
A 318 Poly, and a 225 Hillside Hemi w/ automatic.

I also already have a 390 FE & C6, 289 & C4, 343 AMC & TH400.
Wish me luck on the hunt boys !! I'll Keep you posted.

Thanks for all the help, Jeff