Picked up another Mopar. 1959 Dodge Sierra

[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?

[b5blue]

How COOL are you!! 

[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.

[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?

[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.

[Dino]

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.

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.

[RallyeMike]

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.

Yes, but via a different route: They both have 440s with 1972+ Chrysler electronic ignition systems.

[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.

[metallicareload99]

That thing is so cool, and looks nice The front end of the car reminds me of Fallout 3

[timmycharger]

Love it!! Congrats!

[RallyeMike]

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.

I have zero stock drivetrain in both mine so I have no idea, but the folks at Forwardlook.net are pretty knowledgeable.

[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. 

[John_Kunkel]

I 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.

[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.

[b5blue]

 

[Dino]

I need A/C in this thing!

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

[b5blue]

They still make them.

[John_Kunkel]

I need A/C in this thing!

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

[Dino]

Thanks! 

[Dino]

Aw crap

[b5blue]

Oh no!! Can you shop vac up the loose crap and reinstall the dizzy?  (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.

[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. 

[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! 

[RallyeMike]

Ouch. That's an ugly find.

[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.

[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.

[Daytona R/T SE]

Aw 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]

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.

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.

[Dino]

Aw 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.

[Back N Black]

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

[Dino]

Nice! You don't see these very often.

[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

[resq302]

I 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.

[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.