318 in a desoto

Anybody done it ? Specificly a 1950 desoto custom club coupe

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.

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?
Thanks.
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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.....

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 ?

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.

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

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

I put a 440 in one, does that count ?

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

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

Could be worse, like my 48 'Soto on a 90 Firebird chassis...

If a 440 will fit i have nothing to worry about lol

Driver side starter is a bit of a pain like always , but size wise ..no problem

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.

.......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 )

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.