engine modification

thank you tom I appreciate the info I'll give a shout to these guys as soon as I figure out how to use this forum a little better

Richard

To join The National De Soto Club will connect you with others that have what
you want to do. The "Modified"" Cars are in Class Seven.

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To do any of the following you will need to change the entire Electrical System
from six Volt's and Positive Grounded to 12 Volts and Negative Grounded
( open your Bank Account ).
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As Tom stated the first series MoPar 2 bbl 3.9 V6 has what you want with out
un-need or waste full anything. These engines came in Dakota's - Dodge
Ram Van's ( 1500 and 2500's ) and Dodge Box Truck's up to One Ton. The
Manual Transmission is a Five Speed. Their Entry Level Automatic is MoPar's
Model A-999 Torque Flite 3 speed ( which is used from the 3.9 Liter - The 5.2
liter and The 5.9 Liter engines in the same Dodge Trucks. The more robust Model 727 is the next option.

If one is wanting an Automatic with Over-Drive the A-500 or the A-518 ( '88-'91years ).

When all is finished you will have a void in your Bank Account - a engine that
can move A Loaded Truck in a car that still handles as if it is 1950. This is
OK if this is what you want and are expecting to do.

Rodger & Gabby

Richard,
I faced the a similar situation with my '47 Coupe. I wanted a reliable and repairable vehicle that I could confidently drive anywhere. I started with someone's attempt to street rod the coupe. Long story short, they hacked up the chassis beyond hope.
I ended up buying a beat up '98 Dakota Regular Cab, Long bed work truck sporting the 3.9 Magnum V6 with a 5 speed trans. It also had A/C, Power Steering, Power Brakes, etc.
The wheel base was within an inch of the coupes which was "adjusted" by installing a triagulated 4 bar rear suspension then dropping the '47 body onto the Dakota chassis.
The only other major chassis mod was moving the engine 12" rearward and rmoving 12" of driveshaft tubing.
When all done, I don't have to deal with obsolete, unobtainium or high priced NOS parts to keep her going.
The transformation of the car is featured in the Nov/Dec 2013 De Soto Adventures Magazine. Hopefully you are already a member and have that issue.

I have been driving my Desoto for over 10 years as a "sort of" daily driver. Since I life in San Francisco, I walk a lot.

If these cars are rebuilt/maintained well they are fairly reliable.

That said, I need to get about 50 more HP out of my '47 Desoto Suburban. I plan on doing that with an "engine update project".

That project will start next spring, I have to finish a '70 XKE for a friend first, which will be to take a flathead six and create a computerized fuel injection system with a turbo charger.

The plan is to use the stock layout and build a custom intake and exhaust manifold. I will also build a crank trigger for positive ignition.

Over the decade I have been driving my '47 around any problem I have had all were related to carburetor or distributor issues. It is my contention that a modern way of adding fuel and fire can make these engines just as reliable as a new car. Without cutting the car up.

Steering and brake upgrades abound.

I am also planning on make a later 727 trans bolt up to the existing bell housing.

James

I just found every body's response to my earlier post on the engine modification I want to say thank you to every body's comments and advise now the work begins since I now have a direction to go I am sure I will have a lot more questions as I get into this project one thing besides the woodie I also have a 7 passenger 1950 desoto I plan to put a Chevy 4.3 in it but it looks like I will have to change the steering box and linkage does any one know what the best set up is to use Thank you again Rich

So sad to hear that you would choose to contaminate your DeSoto with a gm engine. MotherMopar has many fine engines that will do anything that any gm engine will do and the cost and difficulty of installation is going to be nearly the same for any non-original engine. There are many swaps in progress at any given point in time and much can be learned (avoided) by looking at others work.
The 250 L6 can be upgraded for an additional 50hp but you will not be able to do it by waving your credit card at a parts catalogue, real honest work and a proper rebuild would be required.
Transmission adapters are available for all of the Mopar inline six engines. I make one for the A-904/A-500 TF and have also done a one-off for the inline 8cylinder engine. We also grind camshafts and supply forged pistons among other rebuild parts.
You can visit my very modest website if you would like to see a picture of the adapter:
www.qualityengineeredcomponents.com