Dan's Hemi swap project

[Dan Babb]

I will post videos.

With a friend's help getting the last two holes drilled out in the steering arms, I got the disc brake conversion done.

Last two major things to get done before being roadworthy are the rear end/driveshaft swap and running the trans cooling lines.

Seeing light at the end of the tunnel finally.

[rockable]

Go Dan Go!

[Dan Babb]

Thanks to all the help here and welding help from Rockable, I got the rear axle swapped. The axle is out of a 96 Cherokee with 3.55 gears. I wound up getting all new brakes & running new lines.

Going to finish up the brake lines (today hopefully). I'm only a couple parts purchases away from being on the road. Need to get a transmission yoke so I can measure and modify the stock driveshaft. Then I need to get new lights.

Other than that, I think I've just got to get the engine tuned better, get the doghouse mounted and bleed the brakes.

[Dan Babb]

I have spent the last 2-3 weeks trying to get the brakes to stop leaking and bleeding them. Theyve been fighting me big time. Pedal is getting better...still needs work.

But, i did take it for a real short drive down the block just a few mins ago. Once i get the pedal firm, I will put the front end back on and get it tuned.

Feeling a bit more positive about the project today.

[JBNeal]

have ya tried the pressure-bleed contraption ya can make from a hardware store pump sprayer and an adapter fitting to the master cylinder? I plan on making one of those when I get 'round to it for the '49, it's had a spongy pedal since day one. It takes two pumps before the pedal firms up...no visible fluid leaks in the system, but I reckon there's some air in the lines I cain't bleed out.

[Dan Babb]

Any details on how to make one?

[Don Coatney]

Any details on how to make one?

I believe the instructions can be found on the main web page supporting the P-15 forum linked above.

http://www40.addr.com/~merc583/mopar/framesets/welcomeframeset.html

[JBNeal]

here's one for a plastic master cylinder reservoir; the metal reservoirs would be similar:

http://www.ibmwr.org/ktech/pressure-bleeder/bleeder.shtml

[raidmagic]

Nothing more annoying than brakes that won't bleed. Hang in there you can see the finish line now. It looks fantastic in there by the way.

[Dan Babb]

I've given up on the brakes. I been bleeding for weeks and have taken care of the leaks, but the pedal is only a little bit better. They're good enough for me to drive to a shop (as long as nobody's too close in front of me), so today, I put the front panels back on. Surprisingly, something was easy to do on this project.

It fits better than I thought and I have plenty of clearance from the valve covers to the wheel well covers ( I was afraid that it would be tight).

I haven't bolted them in place yet, but here's a couple pictures.

[aero3113]

Looks like that engine was made for it, looks great

[Don Coatney]

Really looks great! Suggest you put the front bumper back on before you go for that drive.

[Dan Babb]

Definitely. I've got to get the panels bolted in, the bumper mounted, overflow bottle figured out, and headlights/park lights installed. Then I need to bring it to a shop for:

Brakes (hope it just needs a pressure bleed)

Exhaust Pipes

Engine Tuning

Alignment ( Toe needs to be adjusted since I did the disc brake swap)

Need to have it this all done by the 26th so I can drive it to Autofair in Charlotte.

I'm going to try to take a few days off next week so I can get it done.

[Dan Babb]

Getting closer to calling it done. Got the bumper and hood installed...then relocated the horn. Also finished up all the lights and after fixing a wiring mistake, got the turn signals working.

It's close, but I can remove the air cleaner lid (didn't think of that until I had the hood on and was relieved that it slides out).

Tomorrow I'm going to drive it over to the tire place to get the toe adjusted.

[greg g]

Looks really nice Dan. A lot of work that's about to be paid off.

[fstfish66]

looks like that HEMI fits like a glove, did you make it to auto fair? been a few years since ive been there,,,

[Dan Babb]

I wound up taking my 68 Camaro to AutoFair. Still working out some bugs on the truck. Right now, getting the front brakes sorted out.

[Dan Babb]

Took the truck out for it's first trouble free ride tonight. Didn't go far...about 6 miles total to get some gas.

The toe adjustment I did seems to feel really close. I'll get it to the shop this week to have it adjusted properly. All the gauges stayed right where they were supposed to (195 temp and oil pressure were all good).

Just ordered up some bulb seal to put on the doors...without it, the door doesn't stay fully seated against the latch, so it rattles a bit.

Need to find some material I can use to make up a rubber floor mat. The only thing I've been able to find locally is a truck bed liner that's about 1/4" thick. I used that before and it's hard to work with...would like to find something thinner.

I'll get some "it's done" pictures later this week when the weather clears up.

[Dan Babb]

Actually, it's pretty quiet. I'll get a video of it running up later this week.

I Probably went too conservative with the muffler, so it doesn't sound like it's got the hemi in it.

It does have a whole lot more pickup than it used to have...that's very noticeable.

I might swap the muffler for one with a bit more of a performance tone to it down the road.

[greg g]

look for matting materiaal in the farm supply stores. Some one on the Sutdebaker truck forum and maybe here use it. Its got a knubby finish one one side and a plain on the other.

[Young Ed]

look for matting materiaal in the farm supply stores. Some one on the Sutdebaker truck forum and maybe here use it. Its got a knubby finish one one side and a plain on the other.

Yup Merle used it in his truck and I copied him and used it in mine. Thinner than a bed mat but thick enough to be a very sturdy mat that should last a long time. I think Merle even said he bought a second one to use as a bed mat.

[albolton]

Dan, I just took some time to go back over your whole project, you have done an amazing job, and managed to make it look like that Hemi belongs in there, you should be pretty proud of yourself, and off topic, i just realized that you are from NC, I spent some time in Charolette this year for the all star race....what an amazing city, ( and an amazing racetrack) I would go back there in a heartbeat.

[Dan Babb]

Thank you for the compliment. This project has been a lot harder than I expected, so it does feel good to hear that you think it came out looking like I wanted it to.

I was going for the "engine option Dodge should have had in 1952" look (even though this was a 57 engine).

[JBNeal]

the next big hurdle is dealing with the temptation of making more performance modifications. I've heard that complaint from other motorheads, they spend more $$$ & more time working on their rides and don't get to drive them as much as they wanted. I'm hoping that hemi has plenty of oomph and the brakes have enough whoa to last a lonnng time.

[bach4660]

looking good. Did you have much trouble with the exhaust clearing the steering?