Even before Ed bought the '59 Sport Fury he knew he would come to own - he rebuilt the Golden Commando he intended to place in it. This topic is documentation of Ed's meticulous craftmanship in accomplishing his goal.
The engine is a natural 'ML 361'. As far as I can tell, other than a valve job it was never apart. Being totally anal about this project I thought I would concentrate on the power train before actually getting a vehicle.After a complete tear down and inspection I was so pleased to find everything standard size along with brackets and looms I never thought existed. I have acquired most of the new engine internals for the rebuild and have started 'preparing' the externals to go back together. It will be totally factory stock -- with factory plymouth golden commando colors -- along with the dual quad option. The only thing I am taking liberty with is the color of the bolt heads. There was just too much red on this engine!I am pleased to say, that it will go back together with standard size main and rod bearings -- she was that well preserved. I expect to have her together and ready to start or install by next summer. I am taking my time and enjoying every little operation. Next spring I'll work my way back as I purchase a cast iron water cooled torqueflite to play with just waiting for the right body to come along.Yes -- the gold bolt heads are incorrect -- but it came out so good!Bare block right after teardownYes - colors are correct.The loom on the intake I THINK was used on dual quadsFinished items ready for final assembly!My attic is now complete with the 2 manifolds -- I now have all parts! ...and ready to assemble. In my opinion, the most elusive part! It is totally rebuilt, stripped, coated, new heat riser, new pins, new stainless heat tube. This was a fun item to rebuild.You have no idea how hard this was to locate. If I told you what I paid for it and how much the parts and coating were total -- I'd be embarrassed!The Short block is complete and assembled! All clearances came out exactly to plan--she really came out nicely!! Rods and mains are standard size with .0015 clearance, pistons will supply a stock 10/1 comp ratio at .003 piston to wall clearance. The ring end gap is .012 with plasma molly rings, a bit snug, but it's stock and should allow for no blowby at all.I was able to paint the tops of all of the casting marks and numbers, along with the engine ID. Not exactly stock, but that is poetic license. I also went a little nutty on the bolt heads, but poetic license also.The heads and manifold are just held in place by a few bolts. I decided not to totally assemble it because of the weight involved in moving it sooner or later. The carbs will be rebuilt when I find a host -- I did not want fresh carbs to sit dry if things extend for a while. All of the accessories are put away as there is minimal room where I am keeping it and no sense of hanging everything just to take it off again.Complete except for carb rebuildWhat makes this side interesting: 1) ULTRA RARE exhaust manifold with heat tube 2) WHAT A B**CH, but choke heat tube from manifold is correctly routed 3) Coil mounting bracket MOST RARE of all items! 4) Nice correct little red boot on #1 plug wireA close up of the detail workJust a few recent pics of the 361 COMPLETE with rebuilt carbs and torqueflite --just waiting for 'BLACKIE' and FP31 in the backgroundThis was a fun 1 year project---I did drag it out a bit but had fun with every bolt I turned.
Ed finds his dream car! It's had a 440 dropped into it, but other than that it is a diamond in the roughOriginal floor, NO RUST, LOVE ITThe interior's DONE - as good as I could do!Center arm rest and back seat and door side panels a bit faded but ORIGINAL! Check out the MirrorMatic...Ready for the paint shop. She is going 'in' within 2 weeks -- Shop will do the exterior body, probably a repaint -- partially or fully -- do not know till they see her. The schedule for return is 1 to 5 months...THE REAR END! My restoration--as good as I could do! SURE GRIP, 6 LEAF H/D suspension springs, 12" BRAKES, RESTORED TANKSome pics BEFORE engine and trans transplant!This one is just some silly detail on the trans. You cannot see it but the P/N of the trans is hi-lited in blackBlackie gets the "star" treatment at Nostalgia Motors in Boonton, NJGetting ready to come homeHome again!NOSTALGIA did the aerials and skirts and alum side trim with stainless -- I did all the rest of the externals.On July 9th, 2009, Ron and Matthew Keij, Andre Hakker and Dan Morton paid Ed a visit at his home in Long Island. The pictures that follow are from that visit with Ed and his exceptional car collection.Enjoy this little video of poetry in motion!Back seat is ORIGINAL FABRIC--FADED BUT NOT TORNDetailed? You betcha!Apologies for the duplicate pictures! Many cameras were clicking that day...Original silencing fabric on bottom side of lid.For the fender skirt lovers among us!Routing of the choke line is correct--it was a painSo sweet, to see Ed's meticulous rebuild united with this beautiful restorationDoor panels have the 5/59 date stamp on the back sideClean as a whistle!IT WORKSPut there by original owner--in memory to himCenter arm rest is original fabricBolt-head madness!The Trans pan looked much better in red (POETIC LICENSE)Correct rear muffler brackets and hangars---weird set upExterior prep and paint done by these folks...Matthew caught Ed with two heads in the bumper reflection!
My sentiments before painting!! (TO PAINT OR NOT TO PAINT)Ed's prized '57 FuryMy 57 started the madnessTruth be known -- Ed is a Chebbie Lover too! He says...
A MOPAR LOVER WITH A CHEBBIE--NOT a Chebbie lover with Mopars280 HP 348 'STUMP PULLER'--amazing bottom end torque"Gr" for "Grade"!
Equipped with the original, rare, hated, unpopular, no shift, TURBOGLIDE. A very trouble-prone trans, this one smooth as silk and EXTREMELY RARESays Ed: SHE started this INSANITY!
