360 Swap into 1954 Savoy Question

[lucky13]

Hello everyone.  I am getting my 54 ready to swap in a magnum 360 and A833OD into it.  I'm just curious, for the people who have swapped in v8s. It looks like I have to remove the factory crossmember where the bellhousing bolted to.  Were you able to keep it intact or did you just cut it out?  I'm gonna be using the Butch's mounting kit for the trans crossmember and motor mounts.  Just wanted to cut it out now if it for sure has to come out.  Thanks

[Plymouthy Adams]

not being difficult here, but would this not be best posed back to Butch, he is supplying the parts/kit....it would only seem likely he knows the particulars with fitting his own conversions.

[lucky13]

3 minutes ago, Plymouthy Adams said:

not being difficult here, but would this not be best posed back to Butch, he is supplying the parts/kit....it would only seem likely he knows the particulars with fitting his own conversions.

I have sent emails and they were not answered.  The instruction sheet it comes with is pretty vague and doesn't really cover it at all.  

[Sniper]

I get the feeling Butch is someone else who bought the company and isn't a good tech source.

 

 

[Plymouthy Adams]

thanks for the reply, I have never seen his products first hand and did not know if or if not an instructions sheet came with the kit/parts.   It is such a shame vendors leave you with vague data even more disturbing they will not answer an e-mail concerning their product.   What would it take to say, let me look into this and drop you an answer shortly...?   I would say in the few V8 changes I have made, yes....it needs come out.   But unfortunately these were 52 and earlier frames and I did a bit more than just swap in the V8.  I wish I could give you step by step.  

[Sniper]

Using the SEARCH function I found this, not directly answering your question, but those guys should know.

 

 

PS is exactly right, I was wondering why Butch didn't have the instructions available online, probably would scare people off if they saw them before buying.

 

Out of curiosity, what kit are you using since Butch doesn't show a listing for 53 or 54?

 

Here's a link for more info, that thrread also has links to even more info.  Maybe some will help.

 

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/updated-4-20-21-my-1952-plymouth-chopped-and-just-brought-home-a-hemi.1153452/

[lucky13]

I bought the 2188CP kit.  I asked before I purchased and they answered quickly and said that kit will work on the 53-54s also.  

[lucky13]

50 minutes ago, Plymouthy Adams said:

thanks for the reply, I have never seen his products first hand and did not know if or if not an instructions sheet came with the kit/parts.   It is such a shame vendors leave you with vague data even more disturbing they will not answer an e-mail concerning their product.   What would it take to say, let me look into this and drop you an answer shortly...?   I would say in the few V8 changes I have made, yes....it needs come out.   But unfortunately these were 52 and earlier frames and I did a bit more than just swap in the V8.  I wish I could give you step by step.  

I figure it looks like it has to come out, and I don't mind cutting it out at all.  But I also wouldn't mind keeping it in for strength as there aren't many crossmembers on the chassis. 

[Plymouthy Adams]

you will be utilizing another cross member a bit further back on the rear of the transmission....you will be fabricating this either from a kit or on your own design 

[lucky13]

6 minutes ago, Plymouthy Adams said:

you will be utilizing another cross member a bit further back on the rear of the transmission....you will be fabricating this either from a kit or on your own design 

yup, comes in the kit.  

[lucky13]

I'm also installing a completely different rear suspension after the engine/trans goes in.  There will be a couple more crossmembers added for that

[Plymouthy Adams]

sounds like you got what you need to work with.....lay it out in order often gives one a better idea of what needs be accomplished.  

[allbizz49]

Nix the original crossmember. I ground the rivets from mine and cut the factory welds. Popped off no problem. Different car but same thing. I'm running an a833 non OD. I am welding tabs to the frame and using an original bolt in tranny crossmember once the body is off.

[lucky13]

23 minutes ago, allbizz49 said:

Nix the original crossmember. I ground the rivets from mine and cut the factory welds. Popped off no problem. Different car but same thing. I'm running an a833 non OD. I am welding tabs to the frame and using an original bolt in tranny crossmember once the body is off.

Thanks.  On your A833 did you modify the factory clutch linkage?  In my head thats what I was gonna do, along with fabbing up an engine side mount for the "z" bar.   Also looks like you live close to me, I'm in Antioch

[allbizz49]

Yep, in the middle of making all of the factory clutch linkage work. I have a bigger motor going into a smaller car so I have lots of little details to work on. Slowly chipping away and getting it sorted. We're just a stones throw away from each other. I go to billetproof every year. Are you going to Turlock this weekend? Going to be huge.

[lucky13]

3 minutes ago, allbizz49 said:

Yep, in the middle of making all of the factory clutch linkage work. I have a bigger motor going into a smaller car so I have lots of little details to work on. Slowly chipping away and getting it sorted. We're just a stones throw away from each other. I go to billetproof every year. Are you going to Turlock this weekend? Going to be huge.

Yup I'll be there.  Always looking for parts for all my projects.  I've taken my car to billetproof a couple times, but didn't make the last one as that's when the 218 decided it was time to die.  Hoping the show will come back next year, as they've already canceled it this year.  Say hello if you see me at Turlock, I'll be in my C/C sweatshirt (Pist-n-Broke C/C)

 

Brian

[allbizz49]

I'll keep an eye out. I'll be driving my 53 Plymouth so you do the same if you see it. Can't miss it, black stocker business coupe. Will stick out like a sore thumb in the sea of chevys and ford's.