Taking Up New Residence

[khryslerkid]

Well, for the next few weeks or months, I'll be living here!

Finally after all this time, I'm at the point where I can make some headway on this car. Finished the engine build last week so that gave me the green light to yank out the original 361hp. I'm not going to disassemble anything until I have the replacement parts ready. If this was a rotisserie build, it might go a little different.

I decided to pull the engine and trans together. Man that's a tight fit and I won't be installing the new engine the same way. (Looks like I'm in the market for a trans stand/jack of somekind). I had to stop halfway, set the oil pan on the K frame and readjust the chains. Then the oil filter had to come off. Then the water pump was interfering with the hoist so I took it off, and that just made it. I've pulled the engine and trans together before but normally we were junking the car. I thought I was in trouble once or twice but we got her out.

Here's some pics for your viewing pleasure...

Rust! The radiator weights a ton!

Original fuel pump? Check out the push rod plug!

Over due for a valve cover gasket?

And frost plugs?

I took pictures as I disassembled, so if anyone needs pics to see how things come apart, with instructions, just pm me. Park cable, shifter cable, speedometer cable, e-brake cables, exhaust, wiring, ect. This is a 95% original, untouched 1962 Dodge Polara 500...

 

[khryslerkid]

Waiting in the Wings...

 

[dla4567]

You should be fine, I've had apartments smaller than that. That is a very cool car.

 

[Darter6]

It's neat to see a "Real" 361 with a factory 4 barrel. Most were 2 barrel.So many 361's were mistaken for 383's.

 

[khryslerkid]

It's neat to see a "Real" 361 with a factory 4 barrel. Most were 2 barrel.So many 361's were mistaken for 383's.

They are very hard to tell apart, just by looking.

I read somewhere, that they developed that particular engine for the '62 Polara 500. A little taller cam, four barrel carburetor and duel exhaust. "361 high preformance", standard engine for the Polara 500.
I believe there was a "dealer install" 2x4 inline option for the 361 also.
Also available was the 383, and 383 2x4 inline carbs. and of course the 413 max wedge. These were available for Plymouth that year also.
They don't build them like they use to...

 

[Cranky]

The very first engine I bought was a 361....passed on as a 383. Got burnt so I learnt....how to ID them early on! And for years I pulled engine and trans together but used two points with the chain and learned exactly where to put the hook for the right positioning. Finally bought an equalizer and never looked back. Pretty small apartment there....

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

What was growing out of the freeze plugs???

 

[Bart K]

Awesome Kid! I am sure it feels good to finally get to this point.....actual progress! Good luck with the install buddy!

 

[khryslerkid]

What was growing out of the freeze plugs???

Lol, stalactites!

A friend of mine said that the engine looked like something out of a horror movie. I replied with "yea, Christine's little sister!"

 

[747mopar]

I recently pulled my dads 318 apart and could not believe the thing could still hold water, rust holes threw most of them being sealed by more rust!

The new motor looks sweeeet! Nice job

 

[Habib]

Subscribed.

 

[eric383]

The new motor should look great in there. When I needed a trans jack this is the one I went with. Not for everyday use but works ok for the few times I use it. Good luck.

 

[Darter6]

Yes, we had a 62 Sport Fury convertible that was bought from the original owner about 1967. It had dealer installed 2x4's on the 361.Had to be going over 60 before kicking in the second 4,but it was a fun car.

 

[khryslerkid]

The new motor should look great in there. When I needed a trans jack this is the one I went with. Not for everyday use but works ok for the few times I use it. Good luck.

Don't leave me hanging Eric!

 

[FlagCraig]

Good job. Looking forward to following this thread.

 

[khryslerkid]

There is a mystery about some holes found in the engine compartment. Looks like there was an aftermarket a/c unit at one time but there is no sign of a compressor being on the engine (has a single crank shaft pully) or condenser ect. There are two sheet metal holes under the dash and a blue and black wire that had connectors on them at one time. I'm going to weld up the two holes in the firewall but was curious about the two sheet metal screw holes on the right fender. Looks like a line bracket was there. Also does anyone know about the hole on each side of the tunnel? Any thoughts?

 

[MarPar]

hot damn Kid! glad to hear you got the train rollin!

subscribed

 

[Car Nut]

Subscribed here too!

 

[Darter6]

Yeah, Looks like add on air at one time. The holes in the floor are for the Box type evaporator.Maybe mounting holes and or drain holes.I call them knee knockers.Just did a 68 Valiant that had dealer installed Mopar A/C.same two holes in the floor for drains and the evap box was mounted to the dash lip with a few screws.

 

[64BEL]

They are very hard to tell apart, just by looking.

I read somewhere, that they developed that particular engine for the '62 Polara 500. A little taller cam, four barrel carburetor and duel exhaust. "361 high preformance", standard engine for the Polara 500.
I believe there was a "dealer install" 2x4 inline option for the 361 also.
Also available was the 383, and 383 2x4 inline carbs. and of course the 413 max wedge. These were available for Plymouth that year also.
They don't build them like they use to...

Yes, and the 361 HP had a dual point distributor, too. I had one of those engines for awhile - it came out of a '62 Polara. I had it because it came with the BB cable shift 727 I needed. Neat little big block, though - I hadn't heard about it until I came across that one.

Good luck with your project, Kid - great car!