Quote:

---

I hear you about the Overdrive Norm. I’m running the Chrysler 833 4 Speed OD in 57 Plymouth and love it. If I ever went back to an automatic, I think I would use the 518 automatic OD. I think the Imperial Owners club was making a conversion that would allow the transmission to use the original pushbutton shifter which would be a sweet setup. The nice thing is the 518 will use the same adaptor the 727 does.

Getting the “right” wheels for these can be a challenge. JMO but most modern wheels just don’t look right on these cars. The ones I ran on the Gold and white 57 were actually mid 70’s Chrysler road wheels that I modified to use original 57 Dog Dish caps on. If I were to change oner to different wheels I think I would probably go with the Torque Thrust Ds (the mag with a dark center.

As far as AC I took the easy way out on both my Dodge and Plymouth and used era correct under dash units. They work great and I think look appropriate to the car.

By the way the dash on the 57 Dodges lend themselves really well to a 2 tone paint scheme that matches the body color.

If you can’t tell I’m looking forward to watching your progress on the car. LOL.

---

Quote:

---

My car has the 325 poly head engine and from what I read the block will also accept hemi heads. Of course the pistons, valve gear, pushrods, etc. would also have to be changed. Is this true? If so which hemi heads and manifolds will work? I just want a hemi under the hood!

---

Quote:

---

So you are saying that hemi parts that came in a Dodge(241, 270, 315, 325) are the only parts that will possibly fit a 58 325 engine.

---

Quote:

---

I still don't have the car at my shop yet but it won't be long. The 392 hemi I had lined up is no longer available. Don't ask. I know of another 392 that's in a late 50's 2 1/2 ton farm truck that runs perfect but the farmer won't get rid of it. I don't blame him. My car has the 325 poly head engine and from what I read the block will also accept hemi heads. Of course the pistons, valve gear, pushrods, etc. would also have to be changed. Is this true? If so which hemi heads and manifolds will work? I just want a hemi under the hood!

---

Quote:

---

So you are saying that hemi parts that came in a Dodge(241, 270, 315, 325) are the only parts that will possibly fit a 58 325 engine. I know that Chrysler and Desoto hemi's are different cubic inches than a Dodge but figured the heads and intake manifolds were interchangeable. If not what were they thinking back then. Oh well, the search is still on! Thanks for the info!

---

Quote:

---

Let's not forget the A engine poly, 4.46" bore spacing, which made it all the way to present, IIRC.

There is no reason why a 5.7 wouldn't do the trick. It won't cost any more by the timr you get done buying all those expensive Firepower parts, and it weighs nearly 300 lb less.

R.
(just turned 59 which makes me a geezer, too!)

---

Quote:

---

Exactly! Nothing has the eye candy or bling as an early hemi. The 325 in my 58 Dodge is a factory four barrel and came with dual exhaust. If I can find all the parts necessary for the hemi conversion I will take that route. I prefer a 392 and have not given up on one yet. If I put a 5.7 in then it will be fuel injected not carburetor.

---