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Picked up another Mopar. 1959 Dodge Sierra

Started by Dino, July 05, 2024, 07:11:55 PM

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Dino

I've been looking at these cars for a while. I just love the way they look, especially the front end. I like all versions of the car, but really love the wagons. So last week I picked one up.
It has the original 361 and Torqueflite with push buttons, power steering, spectator option which is the 3rd row, reversed, bench with power rear window. This then has the spare tire in the rear quarter instead of the trunk.
The tire cover has rot, as does the driver side rocker and a small spot on the passenger side. Everything else is good. Everything works and besides some loose steering, it drives like a dream.
Colors are stock Coral and Pearl but heavy oxidation makes it hot pink and dull as can be. I could polish it, but that's a lot of work! I'm going to drive it as is for a while. Eventually I'll redo the front suspension and steering, install front disc brakes, and get some bigger wheels and tires.
Anyone else have a Forward Look Mopar?

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

b5blue


moparguy01

I've always wanted a finned car, but haven't found the right car. I always thought it would be fun.

Nice project!

John_Kunkel

I, too, am a wagon lover. Here's my '57 Sierra that I recently sold.
Pardon me but my karma just ran over your dogma.

Todd Wilson

What a cool ride!  I would do some minor things and polish that paint and roll around it style!

Todd

Dino

I had trouble starting it today. I'd like to make a few modern changes. It already has dual exhaust. It's a 2 bbl with gasket goo between carb and intake. I'd like to get a 4 bbl intake and carb, and get rid of the points ignition. I'm not looking to beef up the engine, I just need strong spark. Any recommendations on what system to get?
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

Kern Dog

Rick Ehrenberg has an ebay store. I have a "Hi-Rev 7500" ignition kit from him. Electronic distributor, ECM and wiring.
I only needed the distributor and ECM since I already converted to electronic 20+ years ago.

RallyeMike

Great find Dino. Looks to be very solid which is a huge plus for the rust-prone Forward Look years. May be able to bring some life back into that paint with some elbow grease.

I have a 60 Plymouth Suburban and a 57 Dodge Coronet Club Coupe.
1969 Charger 500 #232008
1972 Charger, Grand Sport #41
1973 Charger "T/A"

Drive as fast as you want to on a public road! Click here for info: http://www.sscc.us/

Dino

Quote from: RallyeMike on July 08, 2024, 07:02:44 AMGreat find Dino. Looks to be very solid which is a huge plus for the rust-prone Forward Look years. May be able to bring some life back into that paint with some elbow grease.

I have a 60 Plymouth Suburban and a 57 Dodge Coronet Club Coupe.

Are you running electronic ignition on either? I'm considering the Pertronix ugrade as well. Basically just replace the points with solid state on the original distributor,and add a Flamethrower coil.
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

RallyeMike

Quote from: Dino on July 08, 2024, 07:02:50 PMAre you running electronic ignition on either? I'm considering the Pertronix ugrade as well. Basically just replace the points with solid state on the original distributor,and add a Flamethrower coil.

Yes, but via a different route: They both have 440s with 1972+ Chrysler electronic ignition systems.
1969 Charger 500 #232008
1972 Charger, Grand Sport #41
1973 Charger "T/A"

Drive as fast as you want to on a public road! Click here for info: http://www.sscc.us/

Dino

I'd like to convert from the stock 2 barrel to a modern 4 barrel carb. Would there be an issue getting the stock linkage to work? Any particular intake manifold I should look for? Not trying to turn this into a screamer, just make it reliable.

Any modern starters that fit this beast? The old one doesn't always want to spin snd sounds like it's dying.
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

metallicareload99

That thing is so cool, and looks nice :drive: The front end of the car reminds me of Fallout 3
1968, When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth

timmycharger


RallyeMike

Quote from: Dino on July 10, 2024, 02:46:44 PMI'd like to convert from the stock 2 barrel to a modern 4 barrel carb. Would there be an issue getting the stock linkage to work? Any particular intake manifold I should look for? Not trying to turn this into a screamer, just make it reliable.

Any modern starters that fit this beast? The old one doesn't always want to spin snd sounds like it's dying.

I have zero stock drivetrain in both mine so I have no idea, but the folks at Forwardlook.net are pretty knowledgeable.
1969 Charger 500 #232008
1972 Charger, Grand Sport #41
1973 Charger "T/A"

Drive as fast as you want to on a public road! Click here for info: http://www.sscc.us/

b5blue

I know it can be tricky getting kick down for tranny to work right on carb swaps! I'd get a high quality rebuild on the carb and starter both before swapping out parts on a car that old.  :scratchchin:

John_Kunkel

Quote from: b5blue on July 14, 2024, 05:58:08 AMI know it can be tricky getting kick down for tranny to work right on carb swaps!

Actually, it's a little easier on FL cars because the KD linkage is on the firewall rather than on the engine.
Pardon me but my karma just ran over your dogma.

Dino

I ended up buying the stock 4 barrel carb and intake that came on these. The 2 barrel needs a rebuild but honestly it runs really nice as is, so I think the stock 4 barrel is going to be fine. Until I upgrade the brakes, I'm not speeding in this car anyway!
Super fun car to drive.
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.


Dino

I need A/C in this thing! :lol:

If anyone comes across a late 50s underdash unit, please let me know.
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

b5blue


John_Kunkel

Quote from: Dino on July 16, 2024, 03:03:29 PMI need A/C in this thing! :lol:

If anyone comes across a late 50s underdash unit, please let me know.

I went with a Vintage Air Mark IV, very similar to units from back then.

One of the hardest parts of an A/C installation is mounting the compressor and getting the correct pulleys. Bouchillon has both.

https://vintageair.com/mark-iv-under-dash-system-cool-only/

https://www.bouchillonperformance.com/inc/sdetail/467/567
Pardon me but my karma just ran over your dogma.

Dino

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

Dino

Aw crap

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

b5blue

Oh no!! Can you shop vac up the loose crap and reinstall the dizzy?  :scratchchin: (I have had gummy motors run for years.)

Dino

I got a decent amount out, but I'm going to have to flush the engine a few times. Not sure with what yet.
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

b5blue

The main thing is not to disturb more gunk. Ideally pulling the pan to clear oil flow to the pickup is most important. However mineral oil or kerosene poured in the hole and out a drained pan could tell how bad it is. The heads and valley are likely loaded so do not disturb.  :scratchchin:

Dino

I was planning on an intake swap anyway, so it will give me a bit more room to do some flushes. I'm gonna make a mess!  :lol:
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

RallyeMike

1969 Charger 500 #232008
1972 Charger, Grand Sport #41
1973 Charger "T/A"

Drive as fast as you want to on a public road! Click here for info: http://www.sscc.us/

Dino

Yes it is. Not sure how to tackle it right now. At some point I'll clean up the whole car and I can pull the block, but I'd like to keep it in one piece for the time being. I read about flushing it with a mix of diesel or kerosene and oil, but I'm not completely comfortable with that.
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

RallyeMike

You have to wonder how the oil is even getting through the filter. To save it, at minimum, I could not resist a complete tear down to the short block and cleaning everything I could reach with solvent. It could probably use a re-gasketting and timing chain anyway.
1969 Charger 500 #232008
1972 Charger, Grand Sport #41
1973 Charger "T/A"

Drive as fast as you want to on a public road! Click here for info: http://www.sscc.us/

Daytona R/T SE

Quote from: Dino on July 27, 2024, 07:39:28 PMAw crap



The old timer redneck fix for a gunked up engine was:

Wait until it's a quart low on oil or drain a quart out.

Dump a quart of automatic transmission fluid in the engine.

Drive the car for several miles and get it good and warm.

Change oil and filter.

You may need to repeat this process a few times using 3 quarts oil and one quart ATF.

Your results may vary.


Dino

Quote from: RallyeMike on July 31, 2024, 12:48:32 PMYou have to wonder how the oil is even getting through the filter. To save it, at minimum, I could not resist a complete tear down to the short block and cleaning everything I could reach with solvent. It could probably use a re-gasketting and timing chain anyway.

It was my intent to strip it down completely and rebuild it to stock specs except for maybe a better cam. I was juet hoping not having to do that this year.
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

Dino

Quote from: Daytona R/T SE on July 31, 2024, 03:51:02 PM
Quote from: Dino on July 27, 2024, 07:39:28 PMAw crap



The old timer redneck fix for a gunked up engine was:

Wait until it's a quart low on oil or drain a quart out.

Dump a quart of automatic transmission fluid in the engine.

Drive the car for several miles and get it good and warm.

Change oil and filter.

You may need to repeat this process a few times using 3 quarts oil and one quart ATF.

Your results may vary.



Interesting. I hadn't heard about using atf. My biggest concern, with any type of flush, is dislodging gunk that then blocks oil passages and does more harm. I'll have to remove the oil pan and filter and see what it's like in there.
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

Back N Black

Cool car, I have a friend restoring one, it is painted and going back together.

Dino

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

resq302

Welcome to the forward look era!  We have one also that was in my mom's side of the family since new. Her grandmother bought a 57 Dodge 2 door suburban wagon back in April (I think) of 1957. It has a 325 poly v8 with the cast iron torqueflite trans.  Here's a link that Lou from My Car Story did on it at Carlisle last month. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NT2hhQhWiAQ
Brian
1969 Dodge Charger (factory 4 speed, H code 383 engine,  AACA Senior winner, 2008 Concours d'Elegance participant, 2009 Concours d'Elegance award winner)
1970 Challenger Convert. factory #'s matching red inter. w/ white body.  318 car built 9/28/69 (AACA Senior winner)
1969 Plymough GTX convertible - original sheet metal, #'s matching drivetrain, T3 Honey Bronze, 1 of 701 produced, 1 of 362 with 440 4 bbl - auto

resq302

Quote from: Dino on July 28, 2024, 10:59:15 AMI got a decent amount out, but I'm going to have to flush the engine a few times. Not sure with what yet.

Engine sludge like that is quite common. You should have seen ours that has only 37,000 original miles on it. I added Vintage Air to it and had to custom do the pulleys with shims and such to get it to line up. I also had to custom make the brackets for the compressor.

I also did a brake upgrade using the f,m, and j body cars front brakes and using a bendix dual diaphragm booster and master cylinder from my 69 gtx that I had a spare of. We also added power steering that a guy in Texas makes kits for them of stuff that is all readily available at parts stores so if my parents have a problem on a tour, they can be back on the road in no time.

I might also have spare pot metal tail light parts for your wagon too.
Brian
1969 Dodge Charger (factory 4 speed, H code 383 engine,  AACA Senior winner, 2008 Concours d'Elegance participant, 2009 Concours d'Elegance award winner)
1970 Challenger Convert. factory #'s matching red inter. w/ white body.  318 car built 9/28/69 (AACA Senior winner)
1969 Plymough GTX convertible - original sheet metal, #'s matching drivetrain, T3 Honey Bronze, 1 of 701 produced, 1 of 362 with 440 4 bbl - auto

Dino

Sweet car resq! A/C and disc brakes are on the agenda. It took me a minute to get used to manual brakes, but they are decent.
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.