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1957 Plodge - some questions
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T. Turtle
Posted 2017-06-16 3:15 AM (#542246)
Subject: 1957 Plodge - some questions


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Posts: 5

Good Day All,

Am new here (although I have lurked for ages) - thanks for the add. Looking at a Canadian 1957 Dodge Regent with a view to possibly purchasing. According to the seller it has the original 303 ci poly but looking at the pics he posted it's hard for me to tell as I'm no expert on these. It had a (at least) front disk conversion (good, as I live in Austria and we have mountainous roads here) and apparently rust free (it's an older restoration which may mean good and bad). It has the push button auto which I assume means early torqueflite (?). The car has been doing the rounds on the usual selling sites and is now offered at $ 15,000 which I think is probaly on the expensive side for an obscure Canadian model - what do you think?


I'd be very grateful to anyone for any hints on what things I need to look for on these cars.

 

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

Cheers,

T

 

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mstrug
Posted 2017-06-16 4:12 AM (#542247 - in reply to #542246)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plodge - some questions



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Nice car! Yes, 303 Poly looks correct except for the alternator instead of a generator. Push button transmission can be powerflite for 2 speed and 3 speed is torque flight which has 5 buttons in the pod. Marc.
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57DODGECONV
Posted 2017-06-16 8:22 AM (#542259 - in reply to #542246)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plodge - some questions


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I like the Canadian Models as they are Different and something you don't see often in the states ,I own two 58 Mayfair Convertibles myself .That car seems reasonable in price to me Depending on the condition of the body .Nice with the disc brake upgrade and the fact it has s V8 ,the main thing I would Be concerned with is the rust issues if any in the Body it looks like a great starting point .Good luck with what Ever Forwardlook car is in your Future!
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T. Turtle
Posted 2017-06-16 3:45 PM (#542289 - in reply to #542259)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plodge - some questions


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Posts: 5

Thanks for the replies. 2 Speed? I need to check up on those buttons, lol. What's the situation on 303 Poly parts availability?

Cheers
T
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57DODGECONV
Posted 2017-06-16 4:13 PM (#542295 - in reply to #542246)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plodge - some questions


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The 303 poly is the same engine as the 318 poly just a different bore ,Good parts availability .
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56D500boy
Posted 2017-06-16 5:08 PM (#542301 - in reply to #542289)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plodge - some questions



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T. Turtle - 2017-06-16 3:45 PM What's the situation on 303 Poly parts availability?


Just some 303 history:

"For the 1956 model year, Chrysler of Canada began building V-8 engines for the Canadian market. The Plymouth and Dodge used, first, the 270-cid V8 then switched to the 277-cid V-8. The 303-cid V8 shared much with the 277-cid V8, including the heads, and had a 3.81" bore and 3.31" stroke, compared to the 277-cid's 3.625"x3.25". It was used in Canadian-built Dodge Custom Royal and Chrysler Windsor models. Also, the engine was exported to Detroit for use in the Plymouth Fury, and no, it was not available in Canadian-built Plymouths or 115"-wheelbase Dodges in 1956.

The larger Dodge was not a big seller, with 2,650 produced for 1954 model year, 3,650 in 1955, 7,000 in 1956, 7,048 in 1957, and 4,345 in 1958. If Chrysler had imported the Custom Royal, the 303 and 313 may very well have not come about. Instead, Chrysler Canada could have followed the American Plymouth engine development.

The 313-cid V8 was derived by boring out the 303-cid V8. Both had a 3.31" stroke, but the 313 had a 3.875" bore compared to the 3.81" of the 303. The 313 was introduced in 1957 for the Dodge Custom Royal, while the smaller Dodges and Plymouths got the 303. For 1958, the 313 V8 moved down to the small Dodges and Plymouths while the Canadian-built Dodge Custom Royal went to the 325-cid V8."

REFERENCE: http://www.allpar.com/mopar/canadian.html
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mikes2nd
Posted 2017-06-16 11:19 PM (#542316 - in reply to #542246)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plodge - some questions


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are you looking for that specific car?

There is a guy on facebook looking to sell his dodge 4 door hard top.





(facebook.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments facebook.jpg (284KB - 123 downloads)
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LD3 Greg
Posted 2017-06-17 12:03 AM (#542322 - in reply to #542301)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plodge - some questions


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56D500boy - 2017-06-16 5:08 PM

T. Turtle - 2017-06-16 3:45 PM What's the situation on 303 Poly parts availability?


Just some 303 history:
For 1958, the 313 V8 moved down to the small Dodges and Plymouths while the Canadian-built Dodge Custom Royal went to the 325-cid

1958 Canadian Dodge Custom Royals were equipped with 354 CID engines. Consider the source before you print this crap!

Greg
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T. Turtle
Posted 2017-06-18 2:51 AM (#542391 - in reply to #542322)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plodge - some questions


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Posts: 5

Thanks again. Just to clear up: the car in question is a 1957. Having checked out the pics in the ad, it has 4 buttons on the dashboard so 2 speed. I am considering conversion to manual box anyway (if I decide to buy it) - I believe those were available with three on the tree o/d transmission so there ought to be a bell-housing for the above which may help with any conversion - or some aftermarket one. Any hints on this?

Cheers
T
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mstrug
Posted 2017-06-18 6:56 AM (#542394 - in reply to #542246)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plodge - some questions



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318a to 318la:

http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.com/poly318_1.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mopar-340-Bell-Housing1970-318-340-360-A-B-...

3-speed manual trans, bellhousing, crossmember, linkage/rods, etc.
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/pts/6170832305.html

I also have the matching 1957 3-speed manual transmission (don't know if it was car or truck, was column shifted if that helps), flywheel and bellhousing that would be great in a period hotrod or ratrod. (Do your research, this is different than the 60s and 70s 3 speeds, I don't know what this will fit besides a 1957 mopar)
https://spokane.craigslist.org/pts/6142126786.html



Edited by mstrug 2017-06-18 7:07 AM
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T. Turtle
Posted 2017-06-20 3:56 AM (#542493 - in reply to #542246)
Subject: RE: 1957 Plodge - some questions


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Posts: 5

Thanks. So if I get this right, the 303/313 Poly have the same bell housing pattern as the later A and LA engines?
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mstrug
Posted 2017-06-20 7:28 AM (#542497 - in reply to #542246)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plodge - some questions



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Secondly, the bolt pattern on these 56-61 277/301/303/313/318/326 Poly engines is different than the later 1962-66 Poly 318 engines and thus all the LA engines.  The top four holes will line up but the bottom two holes on either side of the block, along with the dowel locating pins are different than the 62-66 Poly 318 engines and all LA engines. So, No, buy a bell housing for an early poly I believe the pattern is the same as an A833 4 speed tranny.

https://www._.com/Repairs/Transmissions/Difference_in_Poly_Transmiss...

UPDATE: Herb notes that a (late) Poly bellhousing will not only bolt to a 360 it will also bolt to the Gen III HEMI Mopar engines.

http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.com/poly318_1.html

http://www.wilcap.com/Hemi.html

Edited by mstrug 2017-06-20 7:41 AM
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T. Turtle
Posted 2017-06-27 11:39 PM (#543021 - in reply to #542246)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plodge - some questions


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Posts: 5

Mstrug: Thanks!
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sconut1
Posted 2017-07-02 12:27 AM (#543329 - in reply to #542246)
Subject: Re: 1957 Plodge - some questions


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A few things about that 303 V8......

Regular maintenance items are all the same as a 318. Cap, rotor, wires, plugs, filters, gaskets, water pumps, fuel pumps... that sort of thing. No big concern there. I just had a 318 rebuilt by a local shop here, and I asked them about rebuilding 303 CID engines. Essentially, there's nothing as far as pistons and rings that's commonly available. Someone might have stuff somewhere, but it's essentially unobtainum. Given the small distribution of these engines as compared to US market engines, it wasn't a surprise to me to hear that. What I was told, that the only reasonably way to get one of those engines re-built is to overbore and essentially turn it into a 318. I don't think that's a bad thing, but it's just something to be aware of. Not sure if there's any differences in the heads.... I doubt it.

As far as the car goes, it looks great. I like the colors and from the photo, it looks ok. The engine compartment seems tidy, no big leaks. Overall, if you're interested, I think you should pursue it. I don't think the price is totally out of line..... certainly, less it better, but hope you can negotiate something that works if this is the car for you.
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