changing out the I6

[montego8]

I have a 50 dodge with a bad motor. I found a 58plymouth with a two speed auto and I 6 with 21000 miles. So I bought the motor and tranny and am wondering if it all can be pulled with just the hood off? That is ,pulled from my 50 dodge. It looks tight and I may just pull the motor as my car is a three speed standard car. But a automatic would be nice. That was my other question,are the two speed transmissions from 58 any good. Did they work good and were there any problems with them? Thanks in advance! Dan

[Niel Hoback]

I think in terms of "if it were mine". Remove the hood and radiator, Install the 58 engine and transmission together and without rewiring the whole car, go to 12 volts since you starter won't work on that engine. That's just my opinion. That would make an excellent driver.

[garbagestate 44]

When I did the motor swap on my 47, I removed the radiator and grill since I had to do the job unassisted. The reason being that with all that stuff out of the way, I didn't have to lift the motor nearly as high as I would have otherwise. Had I gone over the grill, I never would have been able to do it myself.

[John Reddie]

I believe the '58 Plymouth had a Powerflite automatic transmission with the pushbutton feature. They are durable and dependable.

John R

[greg g]

Why wont the starter fit? I am running my 46 6V starter on my 56 engine. Is the starter different on the Automatic cars??

[Niel Hoback]

I think there was a change in the number of teeth on the flywheel. But maybe you could just change the starter drive? I guess I just don't know.

[wayfarerstranger]

if u have a 50 dodge that would be fluid drive not a standard 3 speed ? and yes you can take the hood off remove the transmission then lift the engine and bell housing out of the car , just has to be lifted really high to get out, it is safer if someone can help u but if u r like me i never have any help .. although it is easier with the front end off .. i`ve done it both ways . i have to remove one here real soon think i`m going to try the hood removal way ?

[james curl]

Fluid drive is nothing more than a fluid coupling for a standard three speed transmission with a longer input shaft to go into the fluid drive coupling. The transmission unbolts with four bolts and can be removed from under the car after removing the shift rods, the emergency brake cable and drive shaft leaving just the engine and bell housing to be removed through the hood opening. To help in the removing of the engine I removed my front clip. A trick that I learned in the process was to remove both front tires and wheels after blocking up the A arms. Now you do not have to lift the engine as high. I had an 85 Chevy pick up with a 305 that I was replacing using a rolling crane with casters at all corners, When coming over the radiator brace and grill the casters rotated and the engine was so high that the crane turned over bending one of the legs up under the truck and dropping the engine on the floor. A Chevy 305 V8 is not nearly as heavy as a Dodge/Plymouth I/6 so be careful.

Edited August 29, 2012 by james curl
addition

[Robert Horne]

Why wont the starter fit? I am running my 46 6V starter on my 56 engine. Is the starter different on the Automatic cars??

I have a 36 and a 56 engine that I have exchanged the starters to see if they would exchange, which they did.

I believe 57 and newer starters are different in the number of teeth, and maybe the distance the starter engages....

[montego8]

Thanks all. I think I will take the front clip off. I never have any help and can just see the motor crashing into the inner fenders. And yes,my car is a three speed standard with fluid drive and the 58 is two speed auto. I think there will be issues with the rear motor mount. It looks like the motor is supported in the front and under the bell housing? I am wondering if the auto trans will fit on the rear support brace ,which is welded across the frame rails. Also , can I put some other transmission behind the I6? I have a friend who has a 37 Plymouth with a three speed where the shifter comes out of the top of the unit. That would be neat.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I think the floor shift was standard through 1939 adapters are available for later model automatics and standard shift trannies with OD built in..

[Young Ed]

I think the floor shift was standard through 1939 adapters are available for later model automatics and standard shift trannies with OD built in..

1939 was the crossover year. Roadking(cheaper) models had floor shift while the deluxe had column shift.