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318 in a desoto #2471651
03/25/18 02:51 AM
03/25/18 02:51 AM
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waco tx
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gogo318 Offline OP
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Anybody done it ? Specificly a 1950 desoto custom club coupe


67 charger fastback 318 stock 67 belvedere II 4dr soft top built 318 68 newport 2dr hard top 318 84 b150 440/727 84 d150 short wheel step side 4x4 lifted 87 omnitruck (you just have to see it ) new addition 63 dart wagon !!!
Re: 318 in a desoto [Re: gogo318] #2471677
03/25/18 09:18 AM
03/25/18 09:18 AM
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n.e. pa.
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65rbdodge Offline
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I have a 318/4 speed in my 47 desoto. I has a Dakota front clip. As far as I know there are no motor mounts made to drop a 318 into any desoto. Get a sawsall, grinder with a cutoff wheel and a welder. You should be able to make it fit in there, plenty of room for sure.

Re: 318 in a desoto [Re: gogo318] #2471745
03/25/18 12:34 PM
03/25/18 12:34 PM
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colorado
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savoy64 Offline
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one stop shopping---if you are going to do the clip get a 90-96 dakota 2wd and use the front clip with motor and trans....

Re: 318 in a desoto [Re: savoy64] #2471789
03/25/18 01:59 PM
03/25/18 01:59 PM
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British Columbia, Canada
Old Ray Offline
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Originally Posted By savoy64
one stop shopping---if you are going to do the clip get a 90-96 dakota 2wd and use the front clip with motor and trans....


I am doing that, not there yet. Will the engine mounts have to be re-located to some degree or will the engine fit in the original location? confused
Thanks. smile
,

Re: 318 in a desoto [Re: gogo318] #2471814
03/25/18 02:47 PM
03/25/18 02:47 PM
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colorado
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savoy64 Offline
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i think it will fit---the dakota oil pan is a rear sump and it is very small----take a look at it-----i tried once to put a regular truck pan in and it wouldnt fit.....rear sump was a regular size.....

Re: 318 in a desoto [Re: gogo318] #2471815
03/25/18 02:48 PM
03/25/18 02:48 PM
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waco tx
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gogo318 Offline OP
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I was planning to build my own mounts i didnt want to change the frame but seems like its a common swap i just wanted the v8 sound and power and to run a 518a for the highway are. Do the ride of the stock desoto suck that bad ?


67 charger fastback 318 stock 67 belvedere II 4dr soft top built 318 68 newport 2dr hard top 318 84 b150 440/727 84 d150 short wheel step side 4x4 lifted 87 omnitruck (you just have to see it ) new addition 63 dart wagon !!!
Re: 318 in a desoto [Re: gogo318] #2471911
03/25/18 05:46 PM
03/25/18 05:46 PM
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65rbdodge Offline
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I didn’t do it because of a bad ride/suspension. I did it because of cost. I got an 88 Dakota complete frame/suspension for $150. I easily found new brakes calipers rotors ball joints etc. to rebuild the front end and it was all cheap. How easy and cheap is it to find original desoto front end/brake parts? Has disc brakes and rack and pinion steering too. It was a lot of work but I like building cars.

Re: 318 in a desoto [Re: gogo318] #2471926
03/25/18 06:22 PM
03/25/18 06:22 PM
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waco tx
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gogo318 Offline OP
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I didnt think of it that way and it males sense i did find brake parts but like you said they have a price tag on em


67 charger fastback 318 stock 67 belvedere II 4dr soft top built 318 68 newport 2dr hard top 318 84 b150 440/727 84 d150 short wheel step side 4x4 lifted 87 omnitruck (you just have to see it ) new addition 63 dart wagon !!!
Re: 318 in a desoto [Re: gogo318] #2472109
03/26/18 01:51 AM
03/26/18 01:51 AM
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Freeport IL USA
poorboy Offline
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The original Desoto frame (assuming it used a Mopar frame in 1950) was a very good piece for 1950. The suspension and brakes were the best available at that time. ride quality in the 50s was all about soft and smooth, which these cars were. Soft also means softer cornering and braking. Better handling can be had with the addition of a better sway bar (if one is even present) and a simple upper shock mount relocation.

The frame can be converted to disc brakes, and a rack & pinion can be added (I suggest a Cavalier rack) and would be a must if you need power steering. The V8 will install (offset to the right 1 1/2" - 2") with mounts that are pretty simple to make. You may have to add a notch in the frame crossmember to clear the belt pulleys, it allows a lower motor installation. You will also need to build a trans crossmember, again, not too complex. The nice thing about using the original frame is it was made for the car, and everything bolts onto it and matches up. Front suspension parts are still available and may be as near as your local parts house.

The suggested Dakota clip (1988 through 1996) is getting pretty old. Around here, finding frame rails that are not rusting bad is getting difficult. This era Dakota can be converted to a 5 lug on 4 1/2" pattern (88-90 were 5 lug trucks, 91-96 were 6 lug trucks) that matches the rear end bolt pattern in your car (I would suggest you consider installing a newer rear axle as well).

The 97 through 2001 (or whenever Dodge revamped the Dakota again) has 6 lug wheels that are very difficult to change to 5 lug. The Dakota 6 lug rear end should fit in your Desoto by relocating the spring pads.

If you swap to a Dakota clip, you will need to build a front radiator support, and probably have to modify the frame horns ahead of the crossmember. I've done 3 Dakota swaps, with all of them I moved the motor/trans (I shift everything) back 5" on the Dakota frame, but none of my swaps were into newer then 48 model year cars or trucks. Shifting the motor & trans back gave me much better alignment with the wheels in the wheel openings, and set the motor in a better location for matching up with the firewall.

Cost wise, a front suspension rebuild will cost about the same money. Adding the rack & pinion to the original frame will add that cost. Upgrading to disc brakes will likely be cheaper then rebuilding the original front drum brakes. You will still have to deal with the rear original drum brakes, or step up to a modern rear axle and rebuild those brakes, both will bee about the same money, if your careful sourcing out a modern rear axle. Gene

Re: 318 in a desoto [Re: gogo318] #2472189
03/26/18 10:04 AM
03/26/18 10:04 AM
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S.E. South Dakota !
bigdad Offline
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I put a 440 in one, does that count ?

droppeddesoto.jpg

The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.Proverbs 18:6
Re: 318 in a desoto [Re: bigdad] #2472201
03/26/18 10:34 AM
03/26/18 10:34 AM
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north of coder
moparx Offline
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Originally Posted By bigdad
I put a 440 in one, does that count ?


and it broke the suspension ! biggrin hahaha, just kidding ya dad ! didn't you sell that ?
beer

Re: 318 in a desoto [Re: moparx] #2472205
03/26/18 10:56 AM
03/26/18 10:56 AM
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S.E. South Dakota !
bigdad Offline
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I've never been one to swap parts off other suspensions on other cars or trucks to set my cars up

My front was from .
http://www.jwrodgarage.com/ and had 4 bar rear , it was a lot of work due to design on the frame ..

if I did another one , I'd chop it off and put a complete stub on, mine looked nice , just took a lot of thought to make it right

Yes, it went to Italy


The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.Proverbs 18:6
Re: 318 in a desoto [Re: bigdad] #2472208
03/26/18 11:00 AM
03/26/18 11:00 AM
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Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart Offline
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Could be worse, like my 48 'Soto on a 90 Firebird chassis... eek

desoto - Copy.jpg

The funny thing about science is that if you change one miniscule parameter you change the entire outcome to the way you want it.

JB Rhinehart, Realist

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Re: 318 in a desoto [Re: bigdad] #2472368
03/26/18 04:32 PM
03/26/18 04:32 PM
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Posts: 106
waco tx
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gogo318 Offline OP
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If a 440 will fit i have nothing to worry about lol


67 charger fastback 318 stock 67 belvedere II 4dr soft top built 318 68 newport 2dr hard top 318 84 b150 440/727 84 d150 short wheel step side 4x4 lifted 87 omnitruck (you just have to see it ) new addition 63 dart wagon !!!
Re: 318 in a desoto [Re: gogo318] #2472386
03/26/18 05:21 PM
03/26/18 05:21 PM
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S.E. South Dakota !
bigdad Offline
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Driver side starter is a bit of a pain like always , but size wise ..no problem


The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.Proverbs 18:6
Re: 318 in a desoto [Re: gogo318] #2474714
03/31/18 02:04 AM
03/31/18 02:04 AM
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Dandridge TN
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Dabee Offline
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Just put a 360 in my buddies 48 Chrysler Windsor. Used a 98 Dakota front clip and factory engine mounts. I cut the front horns off the 48 frame and welded them on the Dak clip. The 48 front sheet metal, bumper and rad support bolted right on. The only other mod I had to do was to the inter fenders to make clearance for the 360 and the Dak suspension upper control arms.

Re: 318 in a desoto [Re: Dabee] #2474819
03/31/18 11:45 AM
03/31/18 11:45 AM
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British Columbia, Canada
Old Ray Offline
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.......thank you for posting....just the info I needed. Cutting the frame horns off my original frame is one of many (way too many) things on my to-do list, if winter ever ends (sub-frame is outside as traction ballast in the snow plow shocked )

Re: 318 in a desoto [Re: Old Ray] #2480001
04/09/18 02:54 PM
04/09/18 02:54 PM
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Halifax, VA.
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Originally Posted By Old Ray
.......thank you for posting....just the info I needed. Cutting the frame horns off my original frame is one of many (way too many) things on my to-do list, if winter ever ends (sub-frame is outside as traction ballast in the snow plow shocked )


I put 1st gen 392 Hemi in my 48 DeSoto. Same frame, but did replace front clip with 74 Nova. Tight fit on left side, but no serious issues. Did not have to chop the firewall, or move the radiator support. Been in there over 10 years, and I drive the snot out it, and no issues. Bought adapter from Hot Heads to use small block 727TF tranny.


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