1954 Plymouth Belvedere engine and transmission swap help

[rmon746]

Hello all,

 

We just recently got a 54 Plymouth Belvedere; it came with no engine or transmission. I was curious if there was any documentation on putting a V8 in it or what would be the easiest replacement for the 230 and the transmission that was in there. any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you,

[Plymouthy Adams]

not all 54's had a 230, the 230 was introduced alongside the 218. As you do not have the stock block to denote the diamond stamp, unless you are sure it was an automatic, the 230 could be a myth.  The 230 was stock 55 forward to end of Plymouth flathead production.  As for installing any other engine, there is really not a bolt on kit, there are some items sold here and there for folks that do not fabricate their own parts and force to 'buy and bolt'  this also is usually not found in a ONE STOP SHOP

Edited April 10 by Plymouthy Adams

[rmon746]

Thank you for the response. Is there any engine and transmission that has been installed in this year of plymouth more than others? I have had a hard time finding the 218 or the 230 online with the transmission.  I was told a 318 would fit with minimal modification but I am new to this.

 

My assumptions are that I will have to get the k member for the engine, a new rear end and drive shaft, and a transmission mount of some kind...

Edited April 10 by rmon746

[Plymouthy Adams]

Well, am sure there have been a number of successful and appropriate engines swapped and to be honest with you, if not a Mopar engine I discount the thread and never read no follow as the build has gone in a direction not to my liking.  I have seen a number of underpowered swaps made, seen more than I care to mention of started project that were never completed.  Not saying it is wrong, just wrong for me.  I can state that I have a couple here that are all Mopar in the build but a tad more involved over that of just engine and transmission change.  Lot deeper than majority of folks are willing to go with the complete modern Electonics packaged installed.  There are retrofit harnesses out there for a few different powerplants that are plug and play but these are also come at a premium cost.  Nothing hard about the retro fit, tine consuming and will require not only time from you, but proper tools and space to do the task.  From there, just a manner of what level you wish to work toward for the end product.  My only advice is to study what you have on hand to swap, plan to buy and swap, draw up a plan of attack, stick to it and remember, failure is not an option.  Get out your tape measure and verify you can physically locate this or than where needed for it is a FACT, one mod usually will lead to two or more supporting mods.

[Veemoney]

Rmon,

Welcome to the site. Sometimes you will get information directly answering your question and sometimes fodder ( I'm guilty of both) but stay and learn.

 

I have not swapped out an L-head motor for any other type motor but I did use the search function on this site to pull up topics for you using the phrase " Engine Swaps" in the advanced search function on the site and came up with what should be some good reading and information regarding your question using the link here Showing results for '"engine swap"' in topics. - P15-D24.com and Pilot-house.com.

 

Here is a file to using the search feature on this site.

How I Search PD15-24 (1).pdf

 

[Plymouthy Adams]

many folks are hoping by asking that there will be a step by step process whereas start with step 1 and at step 27 start the car and drive off....while you can get close with some more popular models and such....not so common on the Mopar side.  This is why I always recommend the person get into the nuts and bolts comparing what he has and where he wants to go, tape measure, pencil and paper and proceed from there.  IF there is a segment where he may need guidance, the come here for x engine x body x method to overcome an obstacle.   There is absolutely nothing hard about doing swaps....there is however a time involved commitment to finish and stay focused, avoidance of cutting corners, safety at every level and the skill level to use the tools necessary for each task given the man has the needed tools to begin with.  Farming out, will get you around specialty tools but will hit the wallet with a pretty good impact for the most part.   AND the final advise I will supply, get to know your local rodders/builders and express your build concerns there, you will get tons of ideas and maybe a few offers to help with x segments.  

[rmon746]

Do you know of any good books that may help with the basics of engine swapping or hot rodding?

[Los_Control]

This will be a learning experience for you. I imagine the first step might be to choose a engine/transmission.

A common swap for these old rigs is a Dodge 318/transmission.  ..... I'm the guy that says use whatever you have available ..... A SBC works just as well also.

 

Then you will need to locate it in the frame where you want it ..... set it on blocks to mock it up ..... then you will need to build mounts for it and properly secure it.

 

Then you will need to address each new item as you go. Modify shift linkage, build exhaust, throttle linkage ..... drive line.

There is no book written specifically for what you want.

 

First step is to get the engine/transmission and work from there. ...... If you get too new, then you run into electronic computer controlled systems that just add ccomplexity to the project. For example I picked up a 1970 318/3spd to set aside for a future swap. ....... you may be able to find a good 360 at a local wrecking yard that will work.

The 360 replaced the 318 and share the same block ....if you can find a older one without electronic transmission.

[Sniper]

In the downloads section there is an article about swapping a 318 into a 51 Plymouth.  Might give you an idea though most, if not all, of the suppliers mentioned are out of business.

 

 

Edited April 10 by Sniper

[andyd]

Rmon...........Can I throw a curved ball into the ring...........lol............in 1973 I installed a 318 Poly V8 in my 1940 Oz Dodge.............at the time there were no instructions available nor did I have much in the way of outside help but I could weld and use a tape measure so I had a go.........I was 19 and basically did a few things more than once but I still have the car & its Poly V8.........now you have a 1954 Plymouth.......did you know that in 1957 Chrysler here in Australia introduced what they called a Chrysler Royal..........it was based on the 1953/54 Plymouth body and chassis with 1955/56 front & rear fenders attached.............the interesting thing that you need to be aware of is that the Chrysler Royal for the 6 yrs of its use in Australia from 1957 to 1962 had a 313( essentially the same as the 318) Poly V8 which is basically the same block as the 1966 onwards 318/340 & 360 V8's that mopar used and in fact these later engines are in fact not as wide nor as heavy as the earlier 313/318 poly  and also use a much lighter transmission............your best bet would be to get as late an LA series Mopar V8 & trans that you can, also a later rear axle from either a mopar or something else that fits & a disc brake conversion for the front and have at it

..........I've attached 3 pics of the Oz Chrysler Royals showing that 1953/54 Body shell....each in these cars was available with a 313(318) Poly V8 and cast Iron Torqueflite push button trans.......also a couple of pics of my 1940 Dodge 4dr Sedan & the 313/318 Poly V8 thats lived there for 51yrs now........regards from Australia.......Andy Douglas

[Booger]

Almost certain that was a 218 car..

Once you "rod" it go all the way.

But for sure get you a service manual for all necessary specs and diagrams 

[Bozell]

Hey, everyone. First time poster here as well, but I thought it might be good to chime in a little here since my current project is along these lines. I have a 1950 Dodge Meadowbrook and I have a 318 magnum engine that I am in the process of rebuilding to go into the car, along with a 727 from '69. I will not make any promises on a timeline for the build, but I am right there with you, Rmon. My input is just that it is definitely doable, but there is no real short answer to how to swap the engine in. However, if it helps, the later Magnum series 318 and 360s are much more readily available and do mount to the older transmission options, with one small relocation of a locator pin. Or use a transmission that came with the Magnums if that is your preference, just be aware they did change to electronic controlled automatics around 96. Your best bet would be a 46RH and 360/318 from a donor truck. Mine was a 98 Ram, therefore I needed to buy my $25 727 from Craigslist. As far as fuel delivery, there's a number of cheap Chinese intakes out there for carb setups, one of which I have purchased for this exact build. I am in no way an expert. This is my first engine swap, in fact, but I am as stubborn as they come, and it will fit, and it will drive down the road.