that is a scary endeavor, Lunar works out of his yard and has only done one 318 build. Uncle Tony is the guy that knows everything about old Mopars and where to get parts. He is out of Tennessee and actually has a garage he works out of. Brian is a great guy and would help anyone out He is all over the place and that's what is fun about watching his videos
@@SpockvsMcCoy This is no the 325. This is the 326 which was only used in 1959. There is no 326 listed for the '58 model but there is for the '59 model. The engine code is MD2-L.
@@mexicanspec Okay, thanks for explaining. So it uses a different engine block then the 325? Since the 326 has a wide diameter bore but a short stroke, was it later enlarged in displacement?
@@SpockvsMcCoy 326 is as big as A engines got, until they were redone as LA, then you got 340 and 360. I think you can put a stroker crank for a 340 or a cut down mains 360 crank in to stroke it.
Curtis, I hear ya but keep the build old school mild can 4bbl, duals, rear?? And add alternator p/b disc brakes and. ......vintage air???? Sounds like the 318 is gonna go hot rod and that just don't fit this car.....now a 64 dodge polar a that wood be the sleeper!
@Curtis Fleabag true mate 318s are great, they rev up very fast and a decent rebuilt 318 with high compression decent heads are hard to beat for a street car. Very tough engines and reliable, did 750,000 klms with one then sold it to a guy who dropped it in his truck. They're all just air pumps , I'm going to build another 318 for my Aussie cm regal V8 wagon as a daily driver. I hate modern imported shit boxes that fall apart . Can't trust those rubbish cars , so true what you said the 318 is a great little beast.
My first car was a $125 '57 Dodge that I had to piece back together to drive and I absolutely loved it. The 325 poly and Torqueflite in mine ran terribly at first but with driving and tweaking it improved and became one of the most reliable cars I ever owned. Your driver's seat footage brought back many happy memories of just cruising around. I understand your desire to go resto-mod with a new drivetrain (I did the same thing with a 58 Plymouth years ago) but there's just something about having the whole package-the sound of the poly, using the pushbutton transmission-that makes the car a complete experience; like traveling in time.
You did the right thing with this car. It’s a beauty and like you said won’t be a crazy collector car so you might as well make it enjoyable and drive able. Man just my opinion it would look deadly in a pastel blue or yellow 🙌
He gave it away to weird beard...after not doing half of the stuff to the car he mentioned he would in his videos about the coronet. Weird beard deserves the car for the work he has into it, but its also not fair to beard to have to figure out where randy left off.
Crate the old engine and send it to Scott at Coldwarmotors in Canada, he'll use it in one of his collection of mopars his friends have lots of old mopar parts.
This guy is just a know it all idiot going to destroy the car! Many parts are interchangeable between the A and La motors and he doesn't even know that much or want to listen to people who do know! The A block can be bored 120 over from stock without sonic testing! He could bore it 20 thousands more and put 60 over LA 318 flat tops in it and have no problem! The thing that makes the A motor great is its poly heads. Basically the new hemi is polyheaded with the plugs relocated. Hughes racing grinds cams for them and Weiand makes a two four intake for it. Anyone that plays with mopars knows you are going to pay more but you get what you pay for!
It's your car enjoy it the way you want it enjoy it I also like the fact that you're not into the high painted vehicles but you'll actually not hesitate to drive around the early 90s Vehicles stuff like that not many people are like that on TH-cam
Thanx for trip down memory road. Just found your videos. Am in process of watching them all. Love the 59 Dodge. Grew up in those old mopars, DeSoto, Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge. Spent many nites working on them. Even a 59 Imperial with 392 hemi. Great stuff. Thanks
I'm pretty sure it's a stuck valve, either from sitting or being run on unleaded gas. You'll be able to see which one is stuck when you have the valve covers off. You might be able to free it up with some penetrating oil and tapping on it with a hammer. Once you free it up, do a compression check to get a clearer picture of the engine's condition. It might not be as bad as you think.
Go for it! The ultimate sleeper, with patina paint! This is the most unusual sleeper concept I've seen. kinda like the "ICON" cars but a lot less money! Genius!
The engine swap you have planned won't be as easy as you think. The 727 Torqueflite trans in your Dodge is specifically designed to use the pushbutton shifting system, and later ones can't be adapted and don't work. So don't be so quick to throw that away; you're better off rebuilding it. Also, the later 318 LA engine won't bolt up to the pushbutton Torqueflite; it has the earlier Hemi pattern. I would just keep fiddling with your original engine. It's a runner with relatively low miles, a stock rebuild shouldn't be too expensive if it's necessary.
You made great choice randy but get the painless fuel injection wiring and to give u more reliability plus tuning options for later on if you change your mind. Also clean engine bay and maybe throw her a nice oem style paint job
gave a shout to lunar to thank them for helpn you out im a mopar fann through and through we own a 2018 jeep grand cherokee and a 2015 jeep cherokee sport had many a mopar in my days and i really think that mopar is the way to go i was a service tech for mopar dealership for 13 years it was an awsome ride
I thought the same thing. I even told Randy he should keep it original. But it's not a collectable car and matching numbers or originality doesn't matter.
@@tony_25or6to4 I think it always matters as they get older. Why do we have to mess them up? I think the only things would be disc brakes, power assist of course, something that you could use the original wheels and wheel covers with and hardened valves for unleaded fuel.
Production of the 1959 Coronet 4-door sedan was 8103 with the 6-cylinder and 43025 with the 8-cylinder. This 326 V-8 has 255 horsepower. The more expensive Royal and Custom Royal used as standard the 361 V-8 with either 295 or 305 horsepower. The top line V-8 was the 383 V-8 with 320 horsepower (D-500) or 345 horsepower (Super D-500) and was available across all models. The Coronet 4-door sedan was by far the most common 1959 model ... convertibles are extremely rare. Lancer coupes and hardtop sedans are also not easy to find as are Sierra wagons and 2-door Club Sedans.
I’m firmly in the stock restoration camp but still agree with your logic on doing the drive train swap. This car will indeed be a great driver and hopefully will stay out of the scrap yard for generations to see and enjoy 👍💯
I’m a 59 model myself. I want to see the Coronet live as a daily driver. I am already subbed to lunar outlaw. He is doing a build on an early 70s Plymouth satellite. Loads of good content ahead.
When you bought this car you really made the seller happy. Maybe you can’t find a 4 barrel or dual quad intake, but the pistons rings and bearings are totally available. The heads can easily be updated for unleaded fuel. Might as well drop in junkyard 5.7 Hemi and 8 speed automatic
egge.com/kit/pl318m57-61/ The Desoto 326 was just an .050 overbored Plymouth 318 - just order a .060 kit for a 1959 Plymouth, and here are all your rebuild parts at Egge Machine
If it starts smoking when it idles for a minute, it's probably valve guides or valve stem seals. High vacuum at idle pulls oil down the valve stems and into the chambers. Also, thin oil is probably from the motor flush, it's very low viscosity.
i have no problem with the engine swap, makes a lot of sense considering the cost of keeping it original. Bodywise keep as is with clear coat to protect the patina
You're 100% correct about the Coronet. It will NEVER be a collector's car or become a priceless auction car. You're also right NOT to make it a dragster. Put a 318 in it and eventually, little by little, you can have the factory colors repainted and redo the interior and chrome. It can provide valuable series as a project car and will get you tons of followers. It's going to be fun to see other youtubers do their part to help make this car a great, comfy car. You will be saving her life and provide tons of content in between the other repairs and walk-arounds. You have built in content for the next year!
To keep the pushbutton shifter use a '65 A engine pushbutton 727. It is the one year with modern-style slip-style yoke. Last year for the separate shifter/park brake cables. To ditch the odd-ball pre-66 small register torque converter setup switch to 1970's front section. This allows modern torque converter with the same register size as a modern 318 so all the parts are in proper alignment. And can keep the cool pushbutton shifter. Did it years ago for an A-body with a pushbutton shifter. Pretty easy.
An early 361, 383 or even 413 should bolt right into that car with some combination of mounts. The big engine for Dodge was the 383. Biggest issue with a new trans is it has to be built for the car, with a push button valve body and the parking brake drum on the tailshaft housing. One of Chrysler's "better ideas". You want a conventional parking brake you need to swap the rearend out - the ones that fit best are like 70-74 Cuda and Challenger so they are stupid money to buy one. A Ford 9-inch might be easier to source, in fact.
Hi - If you are scared of being zaped, there is a easier way. With engine off, on each spark plug end of the wire pull back the insulating cap of each lead ( unless they are molded / glued on ) Then start the car, get a large screwdrive with a insulated handle, and short out each lead against the head or exhaust header, every time you do that you should hear a miss, if you do that cylinder was firing, if not it was not working at the time, If you have spark then you know it must be mechanical eg valve / cam / spring / ring issue Regards George
i am so excited to here the plans for the coronet. completely understand your reasons, and for the life of the car, you are absolutely correct. i look forward to lunars videos and your content.
Good call on the re-power! She'll be around for a long time doing that. Reliability and and worry free performance. A classic car is far more enjoyable when you're not worried about being broken down on the side of the road.
A restomod street cruiser is an excellent idea for this car. I'm all for upgrading the car for ease of maintenance and repair and cost savings. After back and running, I'd still do bodywork and new paint in original colors. I would consider a 4-wheel disc conversion as better stoppers is always a good idea.
Randy, you need to check to see if the emergency brakes actuates a small drum at the end of the driveshaft. My 1962 New Yorker wagon was like that and I wasn't able to find parts to fix it. That was a fun time every time I had to park it on the hill where I lived at night. The car had no park, just like this car. Oddly enough, the cheapest model in the 1962 line up, the valiant, did have park.
Because you are going to have to install a floor shifter for the new transmission, I suggest the Ford shifter from the Mustang II. that shifter universally works in most applications.
Hell Randy it's your car do what you want with it. The 318 with the new transmission will be very easy to work on and easy for you to get parts for it. Not having to spend a ton on parts will keep you driving that old beautiful car more often and maybe even keep it around for a while
I would love to see her painted back to factory enamel paint, 2 tone of course. Even though she would look much shinny er with a newer paint I think the old enamel paint making all her body come back to OG would just be awesome!!! May not cost as much as newer style paints either, not sure on that but fix the dents as best as you can and paint her.
Randy my friend I love your idea on the cornet. Sure all original would be nice but if you can't find parts you can't find parts. Cant wait to see what content you come up with.
Wilnel....Mopar makes a dizzy kit to retrofit any 6 and 8 prior to 1972....heck we wood scavenge the parts in junkyards and wire harnesses. Before they scrapped them....pertronkx makes a kit too!
*if you give it 3 more degreess of timing that thing will probably surprise you even more, what you're hearing with that tapping is either a stuck or collapsed lifter*
i personally love that car, would i like to see it stay original? yes. do i understand why your doing the swap? yes. although i would see that drivetrain going into another car that would have had that motor to make a "more fashionable car" as much original as it could be.
Love the old school mechanics. No scan tool is going to work on the cornet. I wonder if some of the fresh face mechanics would know about timing the distributor? You are right the car is worth saving and if it means an engine change for reliability then go for it. Nick is going to have some good experiences and memories of his time with you.
Love those big old 50,s cars. Would paint it though. It deserves to look good as well as drive good. Keep up the great work man. Greetings from Dublin Ireland. Dull and wet here. 👍
To be honest I’m glad you’re changing out the engine transmission and you’re right it’s not gonna be a super collectible car but with the engine and transmission changed it’ll be much more serviceable and parts available as far as the powertrain which will make it an every day driver which I think would be awesome good video.
Peacefulseacs...make it a project car, crate motor from. Ma Mopar, torqueflite too make an appeal to ROCK AUTO for discount parts, waste of $$$$$ to build a LA motor when the 383 will add some HP to the car and make it more reliable..hey randy buy a mid 60s parts car like a fury and go from. There, u get all brackets and cables for build and no headaches....great. Build!!!
something to think about. piston oil rings wear down to a point they snap no longer function and could then dislodge/score the cylinders. if there's oil coming out the tail pipe it might already be too late. inspection camera if you have one
The push button shifter has a cable that goes into the trans to shift it. The newer torqueflite trans is shifted by a lever. So, he will lose the ability to use the push buttons.
If you Do a 360 its a 318 stroked. Parts are just as easily found. Also, this current engine has solid lifters you could possibly have a bent pushrod or just needs some adjustment. You may want to start there instead putting a 318 in it. Edit: have you ever done a compression test?
Interested what you’re going to do about the push button trans if you’re going to swap it. They don’t use a lever like the later ones. Your parking brake might be the kind where it uses a drum on the trans output instead of at the wheels.
Please dont trash the factory AC setup. That is a super rare option that is highly desired among Mopar enthusiasts!
That is a very rare motor do not get rid of it sell it with the the 59 Coronet 4 door it's worth some money keep a hold of that motor.
that is a scary endeavor, Lunar works out of his yard and has only done one 318 build. Uncle Tony is the guy that knows everything about old Mopars and where to get parts. He is out of Tennessee and actually has a garage he works out of. Brian is a great guy and would help anyone out He is all over the place and that's what is fun about watching his videos
In case you don't know, this engine is worth a lot of money, even as a core, to somebody that needs it for their restoration project.
The 325 V-8 was only used in the 1957 to 1959 Dodge and the 1957 DeSoto Firesweep.
@@SpockvsMcCoy This is no the 325. This is the 326 which was only used in 1959. There is no 326 listed for the '58 model but there is for the '59 model. The engine code is MD2-L.
@@mexicanspec Okay, thanks for explaining. So it uses a different engine block then the 325? Since the 326 has a wide diameter bore but a short stroke, was it later enlarged in displacement?
Nicks Garage in Canada
@@SpockvsMcCoy 326 is as big as A engines got, until they were redone as LA, then you got 340 and 360. I think you can put a stroker crank for a 340 or a cut down mains 360 crank in to stroke it.
Have got 3 1959 with 326 engine , got every part easily. And it is a beautiful engine.
OMG the noise, vibration, and misfiring engine was amazing. I bet you enjoyed every minute.
I’m sad to see the 326 to go but it’s your car.
Hey randy sell this car to ICON and buy a 3gen barracuda to Futz around with...318 bad choice for motor. Go 383.
Curtis, I hear ya but keep the build old school mild can 4bbl, duals, rear?? And add alternator p/b disc brakes and. ......vintage air???? Sounds like the 318 is gonna go hot rod and that just don't fit this car.....now a 64 dodge polar a that wood be the sleeper!
@Curtis Fleabag no replacement for displacement
Its not a 326. Its a 325.
@Curtis Fleabag true mate 318s are great, they rev up very fast and a decent rebuilt 318 with high compression decent heads are hard to beat for a street car. Very tough engines and reliable, did 750,000 klms with one then sold it to a guy who dropped it in his truck. They're all just air pumps , I'm going to build another 318 for my Aussie cm regal V8 wagon as a daily driver. I hate modern imported shit boxes that fall apart . Can't trust those rubbish cars , so true what you said the 318 is a great little beast.
My first car was a $125 '57 Dodge that I had to piece back together to drive and I absolutely loved it. The 325 poly and Torqueflite in mine ran terribly at first but with driving and tweaking it improved and became one of the most reliable cars I ever owned. Your driver's seat footage brought back many happy memories of just cruising around. I understand your desire to go resto-mod with a new drivetrain (I did the same thing with a 58 Plymouth years ago) but there's just something about having the whole package-the sound of the poly, using the pushbutton transmission-that makes the car a complete experience; like traveling in time.
You did the right thing with this car. It’s a beauty and like you said won’t be a crazy collector car so you might as well make it enjoyable and drive able. Man just my opinion it would look deadly in a pastel blue or yellow 🙌
Randy: "Never thought I'd find true love in a car".
6 months later: "Well, I sold the ol' girl"
sounds like something Wayne Carini would say....LOL
He gave it away to weird beard...after not doing half of the stuff to the car he mentioned he would in his videos about the coronet. Weird beard deserves the car for the work he has into it, but its also not fair to beard to have to figure out where randy left off.
I think the new 318 is a great idea for the Coronet! Thank you for keeping a Mopar all Mopar!
That '59 Coronet would be a great Cuban Taxi
1 am and your still working, your neighbors must love you!
Never asked
Crate the old engine and send it to Scott at Coldwarmotors in Canada, he'll use it in one of his collection of mopars his friends have lots of old mopar parts.
Hell he most likely has parts on hand!
very familiar with this group :)
I agree. He’ll do something with it.
Did Canada use the 326 in their cars?
This guy is just a know it all idiot going to destroy the car!
Many parts are interchangeable between the A and La motors and he doesn't even know that much or want to listen to people who do know!
The A block can be bored 120 over from stock without sonic testing!
He could bore it 20 thousands more and put 60 over LA 318 flat tops in it and have no problem! The thing that makes the A motor great is its poly heads. Basically the new hemi is polyheaded with the plugs relocated.
Hughes racing grinds cams for them and Weiand makes a two four intake for it.
Anyone that plays with mopars knows you are going to pay more but you get what you pay for!
I'm glad you are rebuilding your Coronet. This is Auto Auction Rebuilds after all! Looking forward to your collaboration videos!
You definitely need to have a thermostat in ALL cast iron engines. Running them below 170° will cause excess wear in the cylinders.
The 727 torckflight is a amazing trans.perfect for that car.
Bulletproof trans but how to work shift assy???
@Terry Moon 1957 actually.
Our 61 dodge polara had pushbutton trans, and a torqueflight transmission
It's your car enjoy it the way you want it enjoy it I also like the fact that you're not into the high painted vehicles but you'll actually not hesitate to drive around the early 90s Vehicles stuff like that not many people are like that on TH-cam
Make it. A sleeper
Thanx for trip down memory road. Just found your videos. Am in process of watching them all. Love the 59 Dodge. Grew up in those old mopars, DeSoto, Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge. Spent many nites working on them. Even a 59 Imperial with 392 hemi. Great stuff. Thanks
6:38 .. *"that's my exhaust sound"* .. LMAO thanks for the laugh, laughs have been a little short lately, I needed that!
Randy is looking more like Kevin James as the days go by.
rgbigdog I was thinking the something great actor.👍🤣
This made my day!
@@micahhill4786 gggggggg
I saw Kevin James as the villain in "Becky". Good action movie , but I kept expecting the villain to drive a black Hellcat.
Kevin James isn't retarded!
I'm pretty sure it's a stuck valve, either from sitting or being run on unleaded gas. You'll be able to see which one is stuck when you have the valve covers off. You might be able to free it up with some penetrating oil and tapping on it with a hammer. Once you free it up, do a compression check to get a clearer picture of the engine's condition. It might not be as bad as you think.
That hellcat is gorgeous!!
I love how the coronet looks she looks mean, 👍👍👊👊💪💪love the body lines.
That front end looks evil!!!
I like how you bring other you tubers on you channel and help them out.
Good to see you saving it instead of it going to a crusher and keep the videos comming randy and hope all is good.
Go for it! The ultimate sleeper, with patina paint! This is the most unusual sleeper concept I've seen. kinda like the "ICON" cars but a lot less money! Genius!
The engine swap you have planned won't be as easy as you think.
The 727 Torqueflite trans in your Dodge is specifically designed to use the pushbutton shifting system, and later ones can't be adapted and don't work. So don't be so quick to throw that away; you're better off rebuilding it. Also, the later 318 LA engine won't bolt up to the pushbutton Torqueflite; it has the earlier Hemi pattern.
I would just keep fiddling with your original engine. It's a runner with relatively low miles, a stock rebuild shouldn't be too expensive if it's necessary.
I love the dash in the 59, all of the new cars with iPad screens look the same.
Randy loving the 59. It's your car. Can't wait to see you and #Lunaroutlaws retromod the old girl.
You made great choice randy but get the painless fuel injection wiring and to give u more reliability plus tuning options for later on if you change your mind. Also clean engine bay and maybe throw her a nice oem style paint job
As for doing your own work the shop will bring you to the next level on DIY content.
I wonder what the Dodge would look like if it was given a quick MAACO dust-over? All of the cars you've had painted by them so far have looked great.
gave a shout to lunar to thank them for helpn you out im a mopar fann through and through we own a 2018 jeep grand cherokee and a 2015 jeep cherokee sport had many a mopar in my days and i really think that mopar is the way to go i was a service tech for mopar dealership for 13 years it was an awsome ride
I would keep that old engine so that way when you do sell it you can say it still has the original engine It might increase the value you never know
Drop it in a corner at AARHQ and just let it sit. Not gonna cost you anything other than some trunk space coming back from NY
Hes probably all ready made the deal and letting him keep the engine for labor.
Would make great boat anchor
I thought the same thing. I even told Randy he should keep it original. But it's not a collectable car and matching numbers or originality doesn't matter.
@@tony_25or6to4 I think it always matters as they get older. Why do we have to mess them up? I think the only things would be disc brakes, power assist of course, something that you could use the original wheels and wheel covers with and hardened valves for unleaded fuel.
What a beautiful dashboard that is. A work of art! Love the indicator signals.
Production of the 1959 Coronet 4-door sedan was 8103 with the 6-cylinder and 43025 with the 8-cylinder. This 326 V-8 has 255 horsepower. The more expensive Royal and Custom Royal used as standard the 361 V-8 with either 295 or 305 horsepower. The top line V-8 was the 383 V-8 with 320 horsepower (D-500) or 345 horsepower (Super D-500) and was available across all models. The Coronet 4-door sedan was by far the most common 1959 model ... convertibles are extremely rare. Lancer coupes and hardtop sedans are also not easy to find as are Sierra wagons and 2-door Club Sedans.
That Dodge is super cool and sounds really great. Love it.
And of course will subscribe to Lunar Outlaw. 👍
I’m firmly in the stock restoration camp but still agree with your logic on doing the drive train swap. This car will indeed be a great driver and hopefully will stay out of the scrap yard for generations to see and enjoy 👍💯
Hey Randy, I love that '59 Dodge! You're doing a great job! Keep it coming!!
I’m a 59 model myself. I want to see the Coronet live as a daily driver. I am already subbed to lunar outlaw. He is doing a build on an early 70s Plymouth satellite. Loads of good content ahead.
Gap those points to the thickness of a matchbook cover. Use a dime for a screw driver.
Dang the Buick guy from the East side,is doing the work! To both of you cheers!
My first carcwas a 1959 Dodge Royal Lancer four door green and white with a 383 four barrel
I believe that engine has solid lifters.
They may need adjusting.
Yes, solid lifters, maybe a bent pushrod or worn rocker arm. Wouldn't take long to check it. Easyfix.
I agree it will keep the old car alive longer
damn i want this car. i love classics witha passion
"I'm gonna go inside and get some fresh air". Pretty sure that is the first time anyone went inside for "fresh air".
You obviously didn't spend time in Los Angeles in the mid 60s...
Thanks randy we have enough classics going to the scrap yard you saved one
I love these old American cars, Randy you looked shot at the end of this video, take it easy mate!
When you bought this car you really made the seller happy. Maybe you can’t find a 4 barrel or dual quad intake, but the pistons rings and bearings are totally available. The heads can easily be updated for unleaded fuel. Might as well drop in junkyard 5.7 Hemi and 8 speed automatic
Lol no
egge.com/kit/pl318m57-61/
The Desoto 326 was just an .050 overbored Plymouth 318 - just order a .060 kit for a 1959 Plymouth, and here are all your rebuild parts at Egge Machine
If it starts smoking when it idles for a minute, it's probably valve guides or valve stem seals. High vacuum at idle pulls oil down the valve stems and into the chambers. Also, thin oil is probably from the motor flush, it's very low viscosity.
i have no problem with the engine swap, makes a lot of sense considering the cost of keeping it original. Bodywise keep as is with clear coat to protect the patina
You're 100% correct about the Coronet. It will NEVER be a collector's car or become a priceless auction car. You're also right NOT to make it a dragster. Put a 318 in it and eventually, little by little, you can have the factory colors repainted and redo the interior and chrome. It can provide valuable series as a project car and will get you tons of followers. It's going to be fun to see other youtubers do their part to help make this car a great, comfy car. You will be saving her life and provide tons of content in between the other repairs and walk-arounds. You have built in content for the next year!
You can add automatic trans oil and run it around then change the oil, cleans out a lot of crap out of it
Looking forward to all the great vids to come!!! Wise decision my man!!
Do the thing u need to do to bring the car back to life man 💯
Buy a parts car. From 60's
@@rsprockets7846 try finding one that is complete
thank you for saving it.....giving it a new life
That is a great shifting transmission. I don't know why you change that.
To keep the pushbutton shifter use a '65 A engine pushbutton 727.
It is the one year with modern-style slip-style yoke.
Last year for the separate shifter/park brake cables.
To ditch the odd-ball pre-66 small register torque converter setup switch to 1970's front section.
This allows modern torque converter with the same register size as a modern 318 so all the parts are in proper alignment.
And can keep the cool pushbutton shifter.
Did it years ago for an A-body with a pushbutton shifter.
Pretty easy.
Such a pretty car !! Thank you for saving her!
An early 361, 383 or even 413 should bolt right into that car with some combination of mounts.
The big engine for Dodge was the 383.
Biggest issue with a new trans is it has to be built for the car, with a push button valve body and the parking brake drum on the tailshaft housing. One of Chrysler's "better ideas". You want a conventional parking brake you need to swap the rearend out - the ones that fit best are like 70-74 Cuda and Challenger so they are stupid money to buy one. A Ford 9-inch might be easier to source, in fact.
I don’t blame you Randy it’s your car! And so pumped for the 318! And excited that lunar is doing the engine!!
You do what's right for you Randy and we will come on the journey with you 🙂
Take a plug wire off one at a time Randy and when you get one that makes the motor run better that's the bad cylinder. It's a start.
ah... the joys of having a distributor. lol
Hi - If you are scared of being zaped, there is a easier way.
With engine off, on each spark plug end of the wire pull back the insulating cap of each lead ( unless they are molded / glued on )
Then start the car, get a large screwdrive with a insulated handle, and short out each lead against the head or exhaust header, every time you do that you should hear a miss, if you do that cylinder was firing, if not it was not working at the time,
If you have spark then you know it must be mechanical eg valve / cam / spring / ring issue
Regards
George
I really dig that dash
i am so excited to here the plans for the coronet. completely understand your reasons, and for the life of the car, you are absolutely correct. i look forward to lunars videos and your content.
That vacuum advance is just different for the new distributor it will work
Good choice on the motor, plus you won't have to put any lead additive in the gas
Good move. Best way to keep that old beauty on the road.
Thank u Randy i was dying and waiting for this video
Good call on the re-power! She'll be around for a long time doing that. Reliability and and worry free performance. A classic car is far more enjoyable when you're not worried about being broken down on the side of the road.
A restomod street cruiser is an excellent idea for this car. I'm all for upgrading the car for ease of maintenance and repair and cost savings. After back and running, I'd still do bodywork and new paint in original colors. I would consider a 4-wheel disc conversion as better stoppers is always a good idea.
Randy, you need to check to see if the emergency brakes actuates a small drum at the end of the driveshaft. My 1962 New Yorker wagon was like that and I wasn't able to find parts to fix it. That was a fun time every time I had to park it on the hill where I lived at night. The car had no park, just like this car. Oddly enough, the cheapest model in the 1962 line up, the valiant, did have park.
Because you are going to have to install a floor shifter for the new transmission, I suggest the Ford shifter from the Mustang II. that shifter universally works in most applications.
Love the oldie brother it’s a keeper in my book
I totally agree with you!! It's all about keeping it on the road.
Now your changing the motor.
Are you going to paint it how you want it in Red & white 🙏
New pipes
Give the old girl all the love
on your way to destroyiing this beautiful car, now paint it resale red at earl sheib and it will be worthless
alfred e neuman how is randy destroying it? It’s already on its second motor so it’s not all original.
you going to New York with the 59 will be so much fun happy to see that content
The fact that he took that boy on a ride was so amazing for some reason
Awesome video man keep up the good work
Hell Randy it's your car do what you want with it. The 318 with the new transmission will be very easy to work on and easy for you to get parts for it. Not having to spend a ton on parts will keep you driving that old beautiful car more often and maybe even keep it around for a while
These old cars are where you really shine 💪🏽
I would love to see her painted back to factory enamel paint, 2 tone of course. Even though she would look much shinny er with a newer paint I think the old enamel paint making all her body come back to OG would just be awesome!!! May not cost as much as newer style paints either, not sure on that but fix the dents as best as you can and paint her.
Randy my friend I love your idea on the cornet. Sure all original would be nice but if you can't find parts you can't find parts. Cant wait to see what content you come up with.
while, changing the engine and trans, will give you better drivability. while you are at it, get rid of the carb setup. go to a fuel injection system
You can get a Holley throttle body fuel injection system
I agree putting no sense in going with a carburetor if you want drivability.
yeah i wouldve got the FI and solid state distributor , he already spent 200 on a new dissy. but then I dont know what solid state ones that would fit
Wilnel....Mopar makes a dizzy kit to retrofit any 6 and 8 prior to 1972....heck we wood scavenge the parts in junkyards and wire harnesses. Before they scrapped them....pertronkx makes a kit too!
@@The98deville the TBI he put in the old pickup was $500 all by itself. ( at least i think it was randy) the old brown chevy.
Man i woulda just left her stock and kept rolling and enjoyed it. Really love this car.
*if you give it 3 more degreess of timing that thing will probably surprise you even more, what you're hearing with that tapping is either a stuck or collapsed lifter*
i personally love that car, would i like to see it stay original? yes. do i understand why your doing the swap? yes. although i would see that drivetrain going into another car that would have had that motor to make a "more fashionable car" as much original as it could be.
Great choice to do an engine swap. I actually sold my 57 Savoy for exactly what you are talking about. Do a break swap as well, they get expensive.
Love the old school mechanics. No scan tool is going to work on the cornet. I wonder if some of the fresh face mechanics would know about timing the distributor?
You are right the car is worth saving and if it means an engine change for reliability then go for it.
Nick is going to have some good experiences and memories of his time with you.
Love those big old 50,s cars. Would paint it though. It deserves to look good as well as drive good. Keep up the great work man. Greetings from Dublin Ireland. Dull and wet here. 👍
I know it will be too late but a b series engine will fit. The d500 option in 58-59 had one.
To be honest I’m glad you’re changing out the engine transmission and you’re right it’s not gonna be a super collectible car but with the engine and transmission changed it’ll be much more serviceable and parts available as far as the powertrain which will make it an every day driver which I think would be awesome good video.
Save all the parts in case owner wants to go back to orig drivetrains, y I wood not. Know!!!
Swap in a 68 fury spec 383
@@rsprockets7846 Yup go big or don't bother. Slam a Hell Cat engine & trans sell for big$$$$$.
Peacefulseacs...make it a project car, crate motor from. Ma Mopar, torqueflite too make an appeal to ROCK AUTO for discount parts, waste of $$$$$ to build a LA motor when the 383 will add some HP to the car and make it more reliable..hey randy buy a mid 60s parts car like a fury and go from. There, u get all brackets and cables for build and no headaches....great. Build!!!
Why not swap a 383 V-8 which was a 1959 Dodge option rather than a 318 V-8?
The oil is going to be thin you ran engine flush through it.
something to think about. piston oil rings wear down to a point they snap no longer function and could then dislodge/score the cylinders. if there's oil coming out the tail pipe it might already be too late. inspection camera if you have one
Thank you very much!!!!
Good idea on the 318. However, with the new transmossion, you must preserverve the pushbutton control for the transmission. Pushbuttons are real 50's.
The push button shifter has a cable that goes into the trans to shift it.
The newer torqueflite trans is shifted by a lever.
So, he will lose the ability to use the push buttons.
If you Do a 360 its a 318 stroked. Parts are just as easily found.
Also, this current engine has solid lifters you could possibly have a bent pushrod or just needs some adjustment. You may want to start there instead putting a 318 in it.
Edit: have you ever done a compression test?
Interested what you’re going to do about the push button trans if you’re going to swap it. They don’t use a lever like the later ones. Your parking brake might be the kind where it uses a drum on the trans output instead of at the wheels.
Keep up the hard work and thanks for the awesome content