Mister B Posted June 2, 2021 Report Posted June 2, 2021 Recent health problems have resulted in my left lag being amputated. Was wondering if there was a possible auto trans swap that could be done to my 48 Dodge D24, that now has a 230 engine and fluid drive trans. Have the option of buying a 2 speed trans from a 55 Plymouth that had a 230, but not sure about setting up a shift mechanism as the 55 was shocked by a lever on the dash. Have also thought of doing 318 V8 with auto trans, but not sure about the cost involved. How cheaply can this swap be done. Either way, I will have to have the work performed by someone else. Quote
plymouthcranbrook Posted June 2, 2021 Report Posted June 2, 2021 Maybe something here would help you http://www.wilcap.com/ Quote
kencombs Posted June 2, 2021 Report Posted June 2, 2021 36 minutes ago, Mister B said: Recent health problems have resulted in my left lag being amputated. Was wondering if there was a possible auto trans swap that could be done to my 48 Dodge D24, that now has a 230 engine and fluid drive trans. Have the option of buying a 2 speed trans from a 55 Plymouth that had a 230, but not sure about setting up a shift mechanism as the 55 was shocked by a lever on the dash. Have also thought of doing 318 V8 with auto trans, but not sure about the cost involved. How cheaply can this swap be done. Either way, I will have to have the work performed by someone else. That 55 will work fine. The Powerflite is a really solid trans. It would be fairly simple to adapt your current shift lever to move the valve body lever on the trans. A detent plate could be made to stop the movement in each gear. Or one could adapt most any lever auto shifter. Any lever shifter is a candidate as they all work very similarly. Or a 56up push button controlled case would be cool. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted June 2, 2021 Report Posted June 2, 2021 the process of the retrofit be it modern or the 55 will entail a lot of work to your car.....one may be best to entertain a car already so modified and sell yours...put you in the drivers seat a lot faster with fewer headaches and I would almost bet at a better out of pocket cost. You will recoup money on the sale of your vehicle once you take ownership of the other car. This is just a suggestion....I know well the bond of a man and the car he has had for long time also. Quote
Loren Posted June 2, 2021 Report Posted June 2, 2021 It never occurred to me until a museum curator told me. Museums don't restore cars if they don't have to. They buy a car they want then stay on the look out for a better one then sell the first one. A project car is a labor of love. A car you want to drive is transportation. I like my projects, like polishing a stone to make a diamond. Getting a car modified to your own specs will require a skillful trustworthy mechanic. If you know one go ahead, if not buy a car that meets your needs. Nothing worse than an unfinished project car, when you could have been driving. Quote
48ply1stcar Posted June 2, 2021 Report Posted June 2, 2021 (edited) Wilcap does have an adapter 230 to GM 350 automatic, see this page. http://www.wilcap.com/chryslerfh.html Edited June 2, 2021 by 48ply1stcar Quote
knuckleharley Posted June 4, 2021 Report Posted June 4, 2021 On 6/2/2021 at 12:39 PM, Loren said: It never occurred to me until a museum curator told me. Museums don't restore cars if they don't have to. They buy a car they want then stay on the look out for a better one then sell the first one. A project car is a labor of love. A car you want to drive is transportation. I like my projects, like polishing a stone to make a diamond. Getting a car modified to your own specs will require a skillful trustworthy mechanic. If you know one go ahead, if not buy a car that meets your needs. Nothing worse than an unfinished project car, when you could have been driving. I disagree. I can't think of anything worse that a terminal illness,paralysis,or death that would be worse than not having a project car. 1 Quote
MackTheFinger Posted June 5, 2021 Report Posted June 5, 2021 If you aren't intent on keeping the flathead 6 a 318 automatic would be a great combination. It would also allow you to add a/c fairly easily if you're so inclined. With the 6 I'd think the Wilco adapter and a 700R4 would be a good combination. There'll be some fabrication for the rear mount, shifter, TV cable, and a new driveshaft will be needed but in the end you'd have a reliable automatic with overdrive. Some of the mods are the same no matter which way you go. Good luck with your project!! Quote
James_Douglas Posted June 5, 2021 Report Posted June 5, 2021 I purchased a trans complete from a 1954 Chrysler that has the Powerflite on a Flathead six. It has the all important adapter plate that Chrysler used for that. I may or I may not use it...time will tell. They are out there. I think I would get the Wilcap adapter and get a trans that did not require switching the car over to 12 volt. You could have any good shop or car buddies that are close help you with the change. James PS. I have been told that the Chrysler adapter plate may well work with a cast iron Torqueflite, but I have not been able to confirm this. I have wondered about having my plate scanned by a company here in SF that does 3D scans that my machine shop can upload into their jet cutter and make as many as one would want... 1 Quote
Frank Gooz Posted June 5, 2021 Report Posted June 5, 2021 I have a Wilcap adapter, The 230/350. This will also let you use an overdrive version ( 200r4 or an 700r4 ). Talk to Paul about bolt patterns for starter and Transmissions as the there is also a Buick Oldsmobile Pontiac bolt pattern, different from the Chevy. I had also found a man I think was in Washington or Oregon That made an adapter to use a Mopar 518 transmission also an overdrive. Good luck 1 Quote
JerseyHarold Posted June 5, 2021 Report Posted June 5, 2021 Try contacting a company that does handicap controls (sorry if that's not a PC term nowadays) and see if they can install a manual control clutch pedal rod for you. They definitely existed when the car was new. Somewhere I have an illustrated brochure from a conversion company that made them for '52 Plymouths. 2 Quote
greg g Posted June 6, 2021 Report Posted June 6, 2021 (edited) 10 years or so ago I met a fellow at a cruise in who had a 47 Didge with fluid drive. He said it beloged to his uncle. He had lost his left leg in WW Ii. The car was modified with a hand operated clutch. As it was fluid drive he only used the clutch when selecting gears or going from third to reverse or when going into neutral. The rest of the time the car was in third and was driven with the right foot on gas and brake. Not going to win any stop light drags but it would get him from place to place. I believe it had a lever like for the parking brake with a ratchet that would hold the clutch disengaged if he needed both hands for certain maneuvers. Edited June 7, 2021 by greg g Quote
JerseyHarold Posted June 7, 2021 Report Posted June 7, 2021 When I sold new Fords in the 1980's, we used this company for mobility modifications: Browse Products | Drive Master Mobility 1 Quote
knuckleharley Posted June 7, 2021 Report Posted June 7, 2021 2 hours ago, JerseyHarold said: When I sold new Fords in the 1980's, we used this company for mobility modifications: Browse Products | Drive Master Mobility Thank you for posting that information. Even if none of us personally need those type of modifications on anything we drive,there is no telling who may have a neighbor,a friend,or a relative that does. That is the sort of thing that can make an incredibly positive change in someone's life. Quote
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