allbizz49

You can drive an old car every day, I do. It's really not that big of a deal. Make sure it's mechanically up to snuff and keep her in the slow lane. She'll be fine. Me personally, i don't care for 4 doors but if she likes it, go for it. Rusty hope kit for the front and a new rear axle will take care of the finicky Lockheeds.

My 49 coupe has a front sway bar. Was that optional? Mine is stripped as can be. Doesn't even have trim on the rear fenders. Weird that someone would buy a bare bones car and spring fot a sway bar if it is optional.

Also, small block 727s are harder to come by. Most of them had 904s. Which will be fine for what you are doing.

Like Sniper said, everything you want to do will take some fab. If you go with the 383, nix the turbo 350 and use a 727. I would also use an 8 3/4 rear. Unless you have all of your parts for a swap, get the original running and drive it before you tear it apart. You can enjoy the car while you're gathering parts and getting a build plan. Anything is possible if you are willing to put the work in. My 49 is in the middle of getting a Desoto 291 hemi, 4 speed and 8 3/4 rear. I'm making every mount bracket and tab myself. Really not that difficult. You have to remember going in, these aren't shoeboxes or 69 Camaros. You can't just call Jegs or Summit and order a "kit" to mod your old mopar. There are a few things out there but not much. Good luck and have fun.

PB Blaster and heat.

I'm not sure if they're the same but I'll send you mine from my 49 Plymouth for the cost of shipping.

I agree, first few gearscare low. Once you get on the highway and row it into fifth, it's worth it. At least for me. I like the A833 OD too, just not as available or inexpensive. I did just pass on one for 300 though. I don't have anything to put it in and I try not to be a hoarder, haha.

You missed one Sniper. 86 and later s10 t5 ratios...... 1st - 3.76 2nd - 2.18 3rd - 1.41 4th - 1.00 5th - 0.72 i had that in my 59 Lark with the stock flatty. Went down the road just fine. Freeway speeds and road trips no problem. I think 99% of people don't want or need anything other than a 3 speed. They're cars sit on battery tenders and only are driven on sunny days and for short trips. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that but some of us drive them daily and having an extra gear, even if not the most desirable, is still better than putting around at 55 everywhere. Now, my 53 is so stock, I wouldn't consider doing a swap unless I come across an r10 for cheap which just isn't going to happen.

How about buying or making some spacers of varying lengths? I'm not familiar with that plate set up but I would start with it just clearing the bellhousing judging by the pictures Check operation and adjust length if necessary.

215/75/15

Glad you got it running.

Goodveye DJ. I was so focused on that point gap, I didn't see that until you pointed it out.

That last picture is an oil cup for lubing it. What's your point gap set at, looks huge.

I'd have to guess, without seeing it, that you have a bent pulley. My two 218s both only have pulleys. Maybe try to post a picture of what you are working with.

Is it an actual harmonic balancer or just a pulley? If it's a pulley, it sounds bent. I'd pull it off and see if I could straighten it.

5/16. Also, maybe pick up a remote starter. They can be helpful when troubleshooting. That way, you can spin the motor from under the hood. Easier to look for spark and such like others have suggested when working alone.

We're all glad for you that your R10 worked out, but like you said, it's your opinion that it's the best option. My 49 is getting a 291 hemi and a 4 speed. In my opinion, that is the best swap. I think the original poster is on a budget and doesn't have a lot of available parts. I say he does what works for him and his car. The R10 T5 argument doesn't matter if he wants something different. Also, yeah, a T5 can be swapped or any other tranny in a morning if you have the parts. I don't get the hate towards the T5. It's not the best but it's not the worst either. I've been building cars professionally for over 25 years. One thing I learned very soon in my career is that everbody wants something different. Another thing I came to realize is that restoring is boring. Putting everything back to stock isn't for everyone. definitely not me. Nothing wrong with a nice stock example, just has never been fun for me. Once again, my opinion.

Hotwire it. If your ignition is up to snuff, it will run. Eliminates a few things to try and diagnose. If it runs by jumping the coil. you know the problem is in the switch and or related parts. Plus, you'll get to hear it run.

Make a jumper wire from the battery to the coil. If you are positive ground, connect one end to battery ground and the other to the post on the coil that runs from the harness, NOT the post that goes to the distributor. Turn it over with the key. It should run.

A small syringe works great for filling the bowl through the vent. Also, maybe disconnect the line from the tank at the pump and run a hose from the pump to a 1 gallon gas can to run the car. At least until you know the tank and lines are clean.

That kit plus an 1800 dollar transmission. You'll be golden.

T5, R10, doesn't matter. Do what you want to your car and enjoy driving it. It really only boils down to time, money and what you will do with the car. If you are going to putt around town, do parades and take it to local Thursday night car shows, keep the 3 speed. If you actually drive it, year round and drive on the freeway, chuck a T5 in it and be done with it.

T5 can be done for under 1,000 bucks easy. Last R10 I saw for sale was 1800. Nothing wrong with the T5. I had one behind my 59 Studebaker too. I'm putting my Desoto hemi and 4 speed in my 49 and sold the T5 with adapter for 500 bucks. Deals are out there. Just make sure you get the S10 T5 for better shifter location. I believe first gear is different between the v6 and 4 cyl models too. It all depends on how you are going to use your car. I drive a lot and long distance and the T5 just made sense, especially for the cost. If you are just putting around town, keep the 3 speed. Now that I have another stock Plymouth, i am hot rodding my 49. No need to have two stockers. Otherwise, I would have kept the T5.

Hopefully it's something simple like the float height. If not, i don't see a reason to replace your carb unless something internally is royally jacked. A good carb kit is 65 bucks from Mike's. If your buddy went through it, you shouldn't need a kit. Keep us posted on your progress. Would be a shame not to be able to give your father in law a ride in his car because of a carb.

How does it idle? First thing I would do is check the float height. Your leak might be excess fuel dumping out of the base. Probably wouldn't hurt to double check everything on the carb either. If you're on a budget and want to get it going, fix what you have. Odds are if you buy an inexpensive carb, it will need work too.