1938 4 door plymouth resto in AUS!

[robbyj]

G'day all, I'm new to these forums so ill just tell you a little about myself.
My names Robert and im from Australia, from what i gather this is mainly an American forum due to there not being too many plymouths around aus these days. I'm 21 and currently attending University. I drive a nicely modified AU Ford Falcon.

My father has a fully original restored 38 2door plymouth that is very nice.

We have another 38 4door plymouth in the shed that in the coming months i plan on restoring into a nice street rod project. I came to these forums looking to share the experience as well as gain experience from people with a better understanding of these cars then myself.

I do plan on spraying the car myself and doing as much as possible myself.

Now to the car.. There is little to no rust from what i believe, which is very handy. The car is complete minus the horn and maybe one or 2 other bits.

The engine is in pieces and the tranny is out at the farm or somewhere.. but i dont plan on using those anyway. I plan to put a nice V8 in there, Power and speed are not really on the agenda, just a nice looking, nice sounding cruiser.

My first Question:
What sort of V8 should i be looking at using? in regards to fitment. I understand there is going to be some fair modification in the engine bay with engine mounts and everything.
Is there a certain type of engine people use because it fits nicely with room for everything else in there?

I was thinking of using a ford Cleveland or Windsor or a 350 Chev. But I'm open to any suggestions!!

Anyway heres some shots:

[Hemi Dude]

G'day all, I'm new to these forums so ill just tell you a little about myself.
My names Robert and im from Australia, from what i gather this is mainly an American forum due to there not being too many plymouths around aus these days. I'm 21 and currently attending University. I drive a nicely modified AU Ford Falcon.

My father has a fully original restored 38 2door plymouth that is very nice.

We have another 38 4door plymouth in the shed that in the coming months i plan on restoring into a nice street rod project. I came to these forums looking to share the experience as well as gain experience from people with a better understanding of these cars then myself.

I do plan on spraying the car myself and doing as much as possible myself.

Now to the car.. There is little to no rust from what i believe, which is very handy. The car is complete minus the horn and maybe one or 2 other bits.

The engine is in pieces and the tranny is out at the farm or somewhere.. but i dont plan on using those anyway. I plan to put a nice V8 in there, Power and speed are not really on the agenda, just a nice looking, nice sounding cruiser.

My first Question:
What sort of V8 should i be looking at using? in regards to fitment. I understand there is going to be some fair modification in the engine bay with engine mounts and everything.
Is there a certain type of engine people use because it fits nicely with room for everything else in there?

I was thinking of using a ford Cleveland or Windsor or a 350 Chev. But I'm open to any suggestions!!

Hi Mate... I'm 72 and on the other end of life. Been a MOPAR mechanic for 52 years and recently retired.
Being that this is a Plymouth, how about a 273 or 318 V8? You could even go to the 360 which produces plenty of torque.
I don't like seeing Ford or Chevy engines in Chrysler products.
The 'A' engine is very durable and parts should be readily available.
Of course, if I were in Australia, I would install the HEMI 6 that you produced down there. I hear they really run well. There should be some of them around.
Best of wishes for the restoration, I'd love to see it when it's done.

[robbyj]

Hi Mate... I'm 72 and on the other end of life. Been a MOPAR mechanic for 52 years and recently retired.
Being that this is a Plymouth, how about a 273 or 318 V8? You could even go to the 360 which produces plenty of torque.
I don't like seeing Ford or Chevy engines in Chrysler products.
The 'A' engine is very durable and parts should be readily available.
Of course, if I were in Australia, I would install the HEMI 6 that you produced down there. I hear they really run well. There should be some of them around.

Hey, thanks for the suggestions, I thought about a 318 but they just seem hard to find down under. a 440 big block also crossed my mind.

It would be nice to keep a chrysler engine in there but i have to consider availability and cost at this stage.

Another query i have is strengthening/replacing the running gear? Diff, tail shaft etc etc. What would be the best way to go about this?

Ideally id love to be able to buy a ford falcon AU windsor V8 write-off and use everything from that but im sure there will be issues with fitment.

Best of wishes for the restoration, I'd love to see it when it's done.

Thanks, it is going to be a big challenge but looking forward to it. I will keep this updated with progress and pictures. I may even produce a website about it. (as this is what i study at Uni, online systems)

[Paul Valine]

I am currently street rodding a '38 Ply 4-dr. I built and installed a 331 Chrysler Hemi. Contact me by regular e-mail, it will be easier to send pic's and such. I look forward to sharing with you the things I have done during my street rod process.

Paul
PVAL2277@sbcglobal.net
.

[chopped50]

Robby..................I agree with hemi dude..................use a Mopar motor. I put a 360 in my 50 Ply wagon. And I was also aware of what that entailed such as motor mounts, crossmember for trans, driveshaft, exhaust, steering,................lots of things to take into consideration no matter what motor you go with.

[pyrodork]

i'm looking for somewhat of a guide as to putting a 360 in my 37 ply. i have the engine, trans, and rear end lined up, but what exactly is the process for putting it together? this is my first time attempting this sort of thing, so help would be appreciated. maybe there's a website or a video of someone doing this?

[JACK M]

Take the body off after making some pertinent measurements. Fab up some suspenion and steering without cutting the radiator and fender mounts. You can get a weld in kit from Fat Man Fabrications that has most if not all of the geometery figured out (expensive). Or possibly a Volare clip could work and would maybe have the correct mounts for yoiur 360. You will need to make some steering linkages to get aroung the engine and to what ever box you use. You will need to figure out how you want to do your master cylinder and run all new brake lines. I would suggest a whole different rear end as well. You will have to have a shaft built. After you get the mechanicles you will be faced with a wiring job.
You are not going into a project that will take a weekend here, Rather maybe all winter. (or five depending on your ambitions) And no there are no directions available. Good luck and have fun !!

[pyrodork]

i don't have the parts in-hand yet, but the guy i bought the car from was going to install this engine and has built motor mounts already, plus he's selling me two 4-spds and a better rear end. my MC and brake lines were new a year ago, so i'm sure those are fine.

would a new front end and steering be necessary, or could i work around what i have? my sway bar is broken, but i was thinking about getting a mustang II sway bar instead of an original. and i'm really not a fan of the look of modern steering columns in an antique car (or do you mean RnP steering systems?). and wouldn't i need a new radiator, too?

and is removing the body absolutely necessary? i've never done it and really don't have much space to do it, either. couldn't i just remove the front clip and fenders?

my girlfriends' dad has done this kind of thing before, so hopefully he'll help me when i get a chance to start.

i'm not so worried about wiring. i have a knack for that. it's the fabrication and 'making it work' that concerns me.

[JACK M]

I would make sense to get the girl friends dad involved. You probably will find that your original master cylinder wont be right for newer brakes.
Each project presents its own challenges. The only way is to jump in and see where it leads you. Have your credit card ready.
Even trying to do a build on the cheap will cost money and time. Believe me I have built several.

The most important thing you need is time and patience. There are to many projects out there where the guy got overwhelmed and they just quit with the idea that they will get back to it someday and never does. So be 100% commited and do something on it every day.

[pyrodork]

there's a couple local junkyards where i can yank the parts off myself and save a lot on the price. no cutting or sawing allowed. only bolted-on stuff. but that got me thinking about putting a modern front end on the car. i know the mustang II's are popular to rebuild with. one of these yards has two mid-90's mustangs. although i haven't a clue if they're un-bolt-able or not, it got me wondering if a modern front end could work with my 37 when i upgrade to a 360. if the newer cars are front wheel drive, and i'm already set up for rear wheel drive, wouldn't that pose a problem? i'm pretty sure mustangs are still RWD, but i don't remember offhand.

i think i remember hearing somewhere that a 90's chevy s-10 rolling chassis' are a pretty good fit for these bodies. in the same respect, wouldn't a ford ranger or dodge truck fit similarly? what other vehicles could i grab a front end from that would fit without too much trouble?

and what about getting a radiator? what should i look for when finding one to handle a 360 that will fit in the shell?

[JACK M]

MIIs are a weld on deal only. You might be able to bolt on a volare clip as it is a fully contained suspension unit.

[pyrodork]

i understand those are a rare chance to come by. what else would be (loosely) compatible? and what about my mention of dropping the body on a modern frame with all that already attached?

[keiser31]

i understand those are a rare chance to come by. what else would be (loosely) compatible? and what about my mention of dropping the body on a modern frame with all that already attached?

Try here for that information. Some of these folks have done what you are doing.....Hokey Ass Message Board - THE H.A.M.B.