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58 Plymouth Savoy 5.7 hemi NAG1 dakota front clip build #2238209
01/21/17 12:28 AM
01/21/17 12:28 AM
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southwest Alabama
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Thought I would start a build thread on my 58 for those interested. As the title states, i started with a 58 4dr Savoy, manual shift, 318 poly, manual brakes, manual steering. After rebuilding the 318 and going through the gearbox, i decided to go with a modern drive train, power disc brakes and power rack and pinion. I found a 2005 magnum 5.7 and a 1990 Dakota for donor vehicles.

DSC_1448.JPG
Last edited by challenger73400; 01/21/17 10:53 AM.
Re: 58 Plymouth Savoy 5.7 hemi NAG1 dakota front clip biuld [Re: challenger73400] #2238216
01/21/17 12:43 AM
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My plan was to splice the Dakota front frame, install the hemi and NAG1 and get it up and going with a wiring harness from hotwireauto. I thought I would try taking the wiring, computers and shiffter from the magnum and try to start the engine. I cut the wires to stuff like the back lights, wipers, doors, etc. When I hooked it all up and tried to start it, i got a "no bus" error. i think i messed up when i cut the wires going to the steering column. Even though the ignition is in the dash, I.m guessing the cruse control comunicates on the CAN bus. Anyway, it was just a trial. I then sent my computers and shiffter to hotwireauto so they could build me a harness.

Re: 58 Plymouth Savoy 5.7 hemi NAG1 dakota front clip biuld [Re: challenger73400] #2238219
01/21/17 12:44 AM
01/21/17 12:44 AM
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Freeport IL USA
poorboy Offline
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Sounds like this will be a fun car!

We put a 5.9 Magnum into a 57 Dodge wagon for my son a couple of years ago. Its apart right now, hoping to get into the paint shop soon. We converter the original frame to 4 wheel disc and adapted the original steering to 5.9 pump.
I have also done a couple of Dakota frame clips and a full frame swap. If there is anything I can help you with, PM me or ask here.
Picture of son's 57 wagon, before paint! Gene

FB_IMG_1438393003941.jpg
Re: 58 Plymouth Savoy 5.7 hemi NAG1 dakota front clip biuld [Re: challenger73400] #2238232
01/21/17 01:11 AM
01/21/17 01:11 AM
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I took all kinda measurements before cutting the frames. I wanted the splice to look like it flowed together and not have a step at the splice. To help get the ride height I wanted, I rotated the Dakota section 2 degrees to lower the front of the car. Stock alignment for the Dakota is 2.5 to 3.5 degrees caster. By rotating it up, I should have about 5 degrees. Shouldn't be a problem.

Dakota splice.jpg
Re: 58 Plymouth Savoy 5.7 hemi NAG1 dakota front clip biuld [Re: challenger73400] #2238237
01/21/17 01:35 AM
01/21/17 01:35 AM
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Thanks Gene! I used a truck rear sump oilpan on the hemi. The magnum exhaust is to wide for the Dakota frame so I'm using truck exhaust. I'm planning on using a lokar dipstick. For brakes, the stock location of the master cylinder when adding a booster with the hemi would have been tight, so I moved it. Using the brake pedal assembly from the magnum allowed the pedal to install on the driver side of the steering column. Also in this pic, the steering is mocked up.

booster.jpgbooster an steering.jpg
Re: 58 Plymouth Savoy 5.7 hemi NAG1 dakota front clip biuld [Re: challenger73400] #2238241
01/21/17 01:41 AM
01/21/17 01:41 AM
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pedal arrangment

pedal setup.jpg
Re: 58 Plymouth Savoy 5.7 hemi NAG1 dakota front clip biuld [Re: challenger73400] #2238257
01/21/17 02:32 AM
01/21/17 02:32 AM
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tri-cities Washington/Denver, ...
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Looks good so far...


Re: 58 Plymouth Savoy 5.7 hemi NAG1 dakota front clip biuld [Re: 5280Dart] #2238310
01/21/17 10:10 AM
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Thanks 5280Dart! Your thread provided lots of helpful information.
Before mocking up the brakes and steering, the engine was set in place, clearances checked, motor mounts tacked in place and ride height checked. Even after rotating the Dakota section, the front end looks a little higher then I want. Once everything is on the car, if it's still high for my liking, I'll use some drop spindles.

ride height.jpgride height2.jpg
Re: 58 Plymouth Savoy 5.7 hemi NAG1 dakota front clip biuld [Re: challenger73400] #2238417
01/21/17 02:19 PM
01/21/17 02:19 PM
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Caldwell, Idaho
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I am liking your work, I was wondering what to do with my master cylinder location. Your ideas give me inspiration to get back on the Plazakota.

Keep the updates coming and Thanks

Re: 58 Plymouth Savoy 5.7 hemi NAG1 dakota front clip build [Re: challenger73400] #2238576
01/21/17 07:15 PM
01/21/17 07:15 PM
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British Columbia, Canada
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Thank you challenger 73400 for posting (and 5280 Dart). I am so glad to have found this site and your posts.

I am starting on a similar project on ‘56 two door wagon (Plodge) this spring using a ‘92 dakota frame clip and magnum engine.

Do you think that if I (you) used the dropped spindles right off the get go, the front frame rails would be where you want them?

Please continue to post your progress and pictures, and once again, thank you for posting, You probably have a good idea of how invaluable and important posts of this kind are. up

Re: 58 Plymouth Savoy 5.7 hemi NAG1 dakota front clip build [Re: Old Ray] #2238664
01/21/17 09:45 PM
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Originally Posted By Old Ray
Thank you challenger 73400 for posting (and 5280 Dart). I am so glad to have found this site and your posts.

I am starting on a similar project on ‘56 two door wagon (Plodge) this spring using a ‘92 dakota frame clip and magnum engine.

Do you think that if I (you) used the dropped spindles right off the get go, the front frame rails would be where you want them?

Please continue to post your progress and pictures, and once again, thank you for posting, You probably have a good idea of how invaluable and important posts of this kind are. up


Yw, Hopefully others can find something that will help with their project. I know post like 5280 Dart and a few others helped me get this far.

Here's the Trans cross member modified to support the NAG1.

If I would have used 2" drop spindles from the start and not rotated the Dakota section, The front end would have ended up 1" lower then it is now. Rotating the Dakota section raised the K member about an inch in relation to the 58 frame. The front of the car appears to be about where the stock 58 front end was before I took everything apart.
I can't advise on you project but I'm happy about the direction I went on mine so far. Where you splice the frame and how you splice it together will also play into final ride height.

cross member.jpg
Last edited by challenger73400; 01/21/17 10:00 PM.
Re: 58 Plymouth Savoy 5.7 hemi NAG1 dakota front clip build [Re: challenger73400] #2243685
01/29/17 11:14 PM
01/29/17 11:14 PM
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Made a little progress today. The cowl had some rust issues so I cut it off early on. The back lip was in bad shape. I ended up replacing most of it. The coated both sides with por15. You can't get that stuff off your hands!

cowl 1.jpgshrinker.jpgcowl por15.jpg
Re: 58 Plymouth Savoy 5.7 hemi NAG1 dakota front clip build [Re: challenger73400] #2243691
01/29/17 11:26 PM
01/29/17 11:26 PM
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Nothing seams to just fit together, the booster is a universal 8" dual from summit, the Dakota master cylinder bolt pattern is a little different so the die grinder come out. Also, the pushrod for the master cylinder was to short, It turned out to be a 6mm 1.0 so I made one from a bolt. Of coarse the pedal bracket wouldn't bolt up to the aftermarket booster. I wanted to tie it into the factory bracket anyway so it would have plenty of support when applying the brake. I made a backing plate, tack welded it to the new pedal assembly then braced it to the factory brake pedal/steering bracket. Also made a spacer for the engine side of the firewall. Still got to radius the corners.

brake booster 1.jpgbrake booster 2.jpgbrake pedal 1.jpgbrake pedal 2.jpg
Last edited by challenger73400; 01/29/17 11:27 PM.
Re: 58 Plymouth Savoy 5.7 hemi NAG1 dakota front clip build [Re: challenger73400] #2243697
01/29/17 11:36 PM
01/29/17 11:36 PM
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southwest Alabama
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Here's where I could use some advise. I got my engine wiring harness from hotwire but I need a chassis wiring harness. There seems to be tons of "universal" harnesses out there. Since I already got the engine harness, what harness do ya'll recommend? Having the engine harness may not matter, just won't use some of the wires.

Re: 58 Plymouth Savoy 5.7 hemi NAG1 dakota front clip build [Re: challenger73400] #2243724
01/30/17 12:31 AM
01/30/17 12:31 AM
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Originally Posted By challenger73400
Here's where I could use some advise. I got my engine wiring harness from hotwire but I need a chassis wiring harness. There seems to be tons of "universal" harnesses out there. Since I already got the engine harness, what harness do ya'll recommend? Having the engine harness may not matter, just won't use some of the wires.


I would start here....
http://www.ronfrancis.com/

If memory serves, this was the guy that pretty much pioneered the wiring kits.

Re: 58 Plymouth Savoy 5.7 hemi NAG1 dakota front clip build [Re: challenger73400] #2243825
01/30/17 05:05 AM
01/30/17 05:05 AM
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Freeport IL USA
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On my son's car, the Hotwire harness has a lot of feeds for a lot of stuff like gauge sender wires, cruise, fuel pump, and a bunch of other stuff you can use as an option. If you use the hotwire harness to its full extent, a very small body harness will be required for the rest of the car. The old cars have very few circuits, originally, Mopar only used 2 or 3 circuits, and the Hotwire unit only needs a few powered sources to run. I believe you will need fuses for: headlights, turn lights, brake/flasher lights, wipers, heater blower, and radio. My son bought a 10 or 12 fuse kit, and almost 1/2 we didn't use.

Also, don't buy the cheapest universal wiring kit you can find, there are some really cheap kits available. Stick with a name brand with tech support. If there is no phone tech support, buy from someone else. Gene

Re: 58 Plymouth Savoy 5.7 hemi NAG1 dakota front clip build [Re: poorboy] #2243867
01/30/17 11:10 AM
01/30/17 11:10 AM
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gene is spot on about not cheaping out on wiring. the most hated thing i get talked into is fixing someone's messed up wiring installs ! i could just kick some guys when they touch wires ! it seems their mission in life is to use the cheapest kit known to man, and those eleventybillion, $3.99 terminal kits with the supplied crimping pliers. then they come crying to me when the car doesn't start all the time, "xxx" doesn't work, or the "magic smoke" won't return into the wire[s] it came out of......
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Re: 58 Plymouth Savoy 5.7 hemi NAG1 dakota front clip build [Re: challenger73400] #2244673
01/31/17 02:02 PM
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Excellent project! Will be interested in hearing how the Hotwire systems work out.


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Re: 58 Plymouth Savoy 5.7 hemi NAG1 dakota front clip build [Re: wayfarer] #2245017
01/31/17 11:21 PM
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Originally Posted By wayfarer
Excellent project! Will be interested in hearing how the Hotwire systems work out.


Thanks. I,ve received the wiring harness from hotwire. The quality looks good. I found a broken piece of one plug in the box, traced it down to the capacitor plug. It's different from my capacitor anyways so i'm not concerned. Mine is just a spade terminal i can change myself. My engine turned out to be not original to the car I got it from so year specific/correct plug is not the fault of hotwire. As a mater of fact, Chris probably saved me a big hassle by asking the right questions and getting the coil plugs right for my engine. I'm sure if I contacted him about the plug, he would send me a new one.

Re: 58 Plymouth Savoy 5.7 hemi NAG1 dakota front clip build [Re: challenger73400] #2323884
06/19/17 11:05 PM
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southwest Alabama
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Been a while since I've posted progress. It's slow but still moving in the right direction.
I decided I would do the sheetmetal work before putting the eng and trans back in. It never looks that bad until you take it down to the metal! I've replaced patches in the floors down both sides, inter rocker panels and outer rocker panels.

Well I tried adding photos but I'm on my new computer and can't resize the pics. I'll have to figure out how to resize.

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