The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop mopar 400 in a 52 build

I got started on the build putting my 400 cu.in. mopar in my 52.Got the power glide 6 out and the mopar and the 727 trans sitting in the frame.Also got the rear end out to make room for the ford 9 inch out of a 75 T bird with posi. The engine is empty and the heads are just sitting on the block with a couple of bolts and the valve covers are the old ones to check fit.Going to start making the motor mounts and the trans mount next.Here are some pics of the build plus the 41 chevy I just got.

http://s559.photobucket.com/user/sparky52/slideshow/hot%20rod%2052%20build





Pete

well it is your truck, I guess you can do what ever you want with it. Good luck on the project....sorta like putting a Yamaha motor in an old Harley frame

That's sure a quart in a pint pot.

I'm sure the Mopar will offer up some challenges in the clearance department,that's are a wide old motor.
In saying that there's a guy on the Hamb fitting a Hemi in a '54,he's had to dimple the inner fenders to clear the valve covers.
Good luck!

Looking good Pete. I'm like you....use what you got! Its not like your destroying a nice original. Do it and call me when its running. I want to take a ride with you. Nice 41 and its original I know. You got the right attitude. Go for it. Keep us posted.

Started making the motor mounts today will cut them out and get the engine set.Then it's time to fab the trans mount once thats all done I'll start on the ford 9 inch.

Thanks,Pete

Had the 41 out today to go get some parts,runs good but I have to work on them old shocks.Did the brakes and the front end stuff so its safe.

dare to be defferent,i am doing basic the thing.bu I am using amc 258 ovh 6 banger.i have a 292 6 chev, plus a 327.when I get started I,ll just paint it what ever 55 eng color was.most of my friiends will not know the difference.keep on keeping on.

One nice swap I saw a few years ago involved a Jaguar twin-cam 3.8 Liter inline six in a 53 Chevy pickup. Ran like a Jag- - - -handled like a truck- - - -quite a handful to drive!
Jerry

There is a Guy here thats doing a Jag swap.Really nice truck.And yes I'm using a mopar engine to be defferent,getting tired of seeing SBC in every hotrod at the shows.I have to say the SBC is the best bang for the buck and one of the best engines you could ever put in a build.The engine mounts and the trans mounts are in and they are set now to start on the rear end.


Pete

That's one I originally considered Jerry,ironically Jag motors are more common here than small block Chevys.
You can buy a complete XJ donor vehicle for a few hundred bucks/pounds,the only downside is the RHD steering rack.

The Jag straight six can easily produce as much HP as a decent small block if it's built properly too.

Paul Moffat (moff1959) here on the Stovebolt shoehorned a Jag V12 into his '40.
Now that IS different.

I never got round to measuring one up but I imagine the Jag six will fit if you say you've seen one.
Even better you can use all the running gear so it will handle more like a Jag,rather than a truck.

There is a guy in OKC that has a '55.2 Chevy truck with a 3.8L Jag engine, along with the IFS and the IRS from that same donor car. It's been a year or so since I've seen the owner or the truck; but the last I saw of it, it had the suspension under it. The truck was getting ready for paint. I need to track it down and see if it ever hit the road, or if it's still "under construction".

I've thought seriously about the same thing with either a Pilot House Dodge, or an AD Chevy, but finding a complete body and frame WITH title is proving to be a real job.

Ordered the disc conversion and the 4 bar rear setup today from Speedway shipping was OK and there prices were good.So on to the next phase of the build.

I need some help with changing the steering over what is the best setup?

Thanks,Pete

Update, all the carb and trans linkage is done.power steering pump is installed thanks to Alvin,thanks Alvin,brake system sorted out,had to relocate the pedal and arm.Got to move the front shock mounts.Got the ford 9 inch rear cleaned off of the old brackets and started to install the 4 link from speedway nice kit anyone installing a rear end in a AD should look at it and price is good.Also installed the front disc brake kit.

Been busy,Pete