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I would like to remove the existing 1951 Desoto Custom Drivetrain 6 cylinder and replace it with a 1956 desoto drivetrain V8. Has anyone done this? If so was it a difficult Swap?
Also, What about a dashboard Swap? and a Steering Swap?
Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated
Thanks
Phil
I did something similar to a 49 Dodge with mixed results.. The bad 6 cylinder was replaced with a 73 318/904. The biggest issue is the steering column. There is simply no room for that wide V8. You'll have to switch to rack and pinion. The rear crossmember will have to be removed and a new one made. The radiator can be moved to the front side of the core support for more room. New driveshaft, conversion to 12v, etc. Then when you are all done you'll have a car with more than double the hp but with the old suspension and and brakes. Still have the old Dodge ( it was my daily driver for years way back when) and when I get around to putting it back on the road I'll put the 6 and FD back.
Tim Mabry
The Lost Cause Garage
47 Suburban
57 Sportsman 4dr HT
1951 Desoto was the 1st year for the hemi engine. So wouldn't the steering system be the same whether it was a 6 cylinder or 8 cylinder. and the motor mounts and cross members similar?
DeSoto did not have a hemi engine until the 1952 model year. Even then there would have been a multitude of differences between the six cylinder Deluxe and Custom models and the Firedome model with the hemi. Your transplant would be similar to Tim's which he described very well, but you will be dealing with a physically larger and heavier engine. Mac
What if I remove the whole car 1951 and placed it on the 1956 frame and Drivetrain?
Any thoughts or is to weird?
Thanks,
Phil
Mechanically that would be far easier but of course would require lots of body work/fabrication. The 2 wheelbases would have to be close. I recently saw a 56 Imperial morphed onto a late model (2005 up) Chrysler 300 LX body. It was amazing to look at and see where the two generations met. http://www.flickr.com/photos/chorwedel/ ... ches-cars/
The car has some top notch engineering. Maybe you should contact the owner for suggestions.
Tim Mabry
The Lost Cause Garage
47 Suburban
57 Sportsman 4dr HT
Philip
There are a couple of questions that must be answered.
Is the 1956 Engine just The Engine or is it an Package of
1956 Engine and its Transmission ?
If it is an package then it is like adding butter to toast.
If you only have the 1956 Engine and you want to use the
1951 transmission that you already have then you will need
the 1952 - 1957 V8 Starter, V8 Fluid Drive Clutch Pack and V8
Bell Housing.
Then you will need an manner to Shift The Transmission if it is
beyound what the car came with.
Hmmmmn
Rodger & Gabby
COS
FltSgt@outlook.com
It would be the entire 1956 drivetrain V8 Hemi replacing the 1951 6 cylinder drivetrain, the motor and the transmission. I would be a complete swap. IS this still like "adding butter to toast"?
Thanks
Phil
Philip
The first thing to do is to swap in the 1956 Rear Axle Unit because
of The Torque from the 1956 engine that is going to be used later.
( an first series Dodge Dakota Rear Axle with five lugs is almost as if
it belongs there and The Brake Drums are as easy to remove as an
Tupper Ware Bowel Lid ) ( for The Rear Axle Ratio the 3.55:1 is what
you want )
The 1956 Transmission will go to the 1951's location ( which makes it
possible to learn what lenght for The Drive Shaft.
( The Transmission & Engine Package can stay together during this "fitting" ).
Once this is done you will know the V8 is shorter than the straight six. This
means you will need an Fan Shrould that gets bolted to The Radiator. No
Fan Shrould only means you will be able to cook eggs and boil Grist any time
you want.
Before you remove anything from the 1951 car measure the distance from the
seam of The Bell Housing of the 1956 unit to the center dump Exhaust Manifold
( driver's side ). At this same distance see what is there on the 1951 car. Is it
clear enough in lenght and width for The 1956 Engine ??? If so ... fabercate
what is needed for your "Engine Mounts".
If you use the 1951 6 Volt Positive Ground Generator-Battery and Voltage Regulator you will not be spending funds for Heater Motors - Wiper Motors - Lights- Radio
and etc to make it 12 Volts and Neg Grd.
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I wold rather you keep the Flat Head Six and work with it.
****************************************************************
Rodger & Gabby
COS
FltSgt@outlook.com
