Thinking Out Loud

[RJB]

Guys i am going to install my 400/727 this week in my Polara and i lost my exhuast manifolds from my 383 i was going to use, all i have is a set of headers that came with the 400 out of a 66 Coronet, I was told these wont work, now i got to go find some more manifolds cheap. One thing after the next.

 

[Dodge 330]

Why won't the 66 headers fit? The 66 up cars just have the motor moved back on the k-frame relative to the 62-65 b-bodies but most headers work.

The Hedman 78030's that I'm using are listed for 62-70 B-bodies and fit great. Dropped right into my car with no issues.

 

[condor74]

For what it is worth the headers on my 68 Plymouth Satellite 383 were originally on a 64 Plymouth Belvedere.

 

[RJB]

Cool, then i will put them on and try them out, do I need to install the 400 first then put headers on or all at once?

 

[HitIt]

The best thing to do is slip the headers in while the engine is being lowered in.

 

[condor74]

on my car I was able to lower the entire engine, trans and headers all into the car at once bolted togeather. I took the motor and the headers out of the 64 and directly swapped into the 68 ...never loosened an exhaust bolt. I did switch the motormount brackets of course.

 

[BuckNeccid]

It's been a long time since I messed with it, like 25-30 years, but I once ran into the problem of trying to put b-body headers on a Polara. There was a large amount of interference with the torsion bars for some reason, and we had to cut one pipe and re-make it. Don't be surprised if you do run into problems. Let's pray it was just my youth and inexperience, and that the headers we were trying to use hadn't actually come off a B-body. It's been a long time since I tried that.

 

[RJB]

The headers are not full length headers they are like mid length if that makes since, they are hedman.

 

[Dodge 330]

Hedman's like I bought are $159.95 through Summit. (as a last resort)

Reducers included!

BTW, When can I come take a peek?!?:glasses1:

 

[RJB]

Im off from thursday to sunday for the holiday, friday i plan to install engine, and then start on putting my dash back in, gonna hold off on the floors since its close to christmas time $$$$$$$$$$$$. My car had a dash fire in the early 80's and has sat since, so i bought a couple of 4 door parts cars to piece a few together, so i took the dash out of the one to install in mine, then i will need to take the windshield out of the other one, after i get all that done i need to start on brakes and fuel line, its gonna look odd with different color pieces in the car but i just want to drive it next spring, we do the friday night car show all summer long. I will worry about the body after i get it driving.

 

[condor74]

That sounds like a fun project. keep us posted and post picks on here if you can.

 

[vintagetin]

Cool, then i will put them on and try them out, do I need to install the 400 first then put headers on or all at once?

This depends. I had to disconect the center link on my Charger to get my headers in! You have an auto tranny so it will be easier. Get the front of the car on jack stands because you may have to work them in from the bottom. Let the engine hover in the bay and put them on. Put all the bolts in, just get them started, don't tighten them. Align your motor mounts, tighten the motor mount up first, then tighten your headers up. It is very often that your headers will get in the way of one, or two of your motor mount bolts, so leaving the headers loose to seat your engine is a good idea.

 

[Dodge 330]

My car had a dash fire in the early 80's and has sat since, so i bought a couple of 4 door parts cars to piece a few together, so i took the dash out of the one to install in mine, then i will need to take the windshield out of the other one, after i get all that done i need to start on brakes and fuel line, its gonna look odd with different color pieces in the car but i just want to drive it next spring, we do the friday night car show all summer long. I will worry about the body after i get it driving.

Was this car for sale in Towanda about 2 years ago?

 

[RJB]

Im not sure, I bought it from a guy in Clonmel, Ks. Just south of Goddard, about a year ago. The passenger side looks great, now the drivers side looks like someone used a tractor to push the car around, very sad but fixable.

But the really bad news is i just got put on 12 hr days for fri, sat, and sun. So dont know how much work will get done now this weekend, we will see. I will post pictures as i go.

 

[Dodge 330]

Pretty sure it was the one I saw in Towanda.

After all, how many '63 Polara 500's are there floating around!

As I recall it had a fire that took out the windshield and dash but the damage was pretty minimal.

Like I said before, I've got an extra drivers fender that is stripped to bare metal and ready to go if you need it. I'd like to see someone get it that needs it and it's currently just taking up space in my garage.

 

[brian.linn]

Yes this car was in Towanda... I'm sure it's the same car.

 

[RJB]

Cleaning my 400 before i paint.

 

[RJB]

Here is the dash fire, and yes it took the front glass out, was a relay that shorted out.

 

[brian.linn]

Did you have the original intake? Edelbrock 350-2186 for $199.99? Tempting huh?!?! Let me know when you want to pull the dash, I'll help out...

 

[Dodge 330]

Yes this car was in Towanda... I'm sure it's the same car.

Glad to see someone got it that is going to do something with it!

Looks like it was an original A/C car too?