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A/c car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My new 68 Coronet Wagon, can't believe I found one!!!
- Thread starter superbee_68
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superbee_68
Well-Known Member
So I have already changed the wheels and tires. Put stock 14" wheels with new tires, similar to stock size. Yeah it looks goofy but it was the cheapest way to get rid of the chrome wheels and huge tires. The car is a blank canvas and I don't want to make any expensive decisions yet. The ignition box is already in the car and wired but the distributor has points. I will get the electronic ignition hooked back up next. I really need a heater next and some kind of dash lighting at night, they are all dead. Also, the motor could use a basic tune-up. The plan is to drive the car as is and get a feel for it.
Radical plans that have already been discussed include a motor swap. I have a 5.7 hemi I was going to put into my cuda and build the cuda as a resto-mod but I have changed my mind. I think I will go back with a more original 340 in the cuda and do a concourse style restoration. I think the wagon should be my resto-mod. 5.7 hemi, fuel injected, definitly forced induction, 5 or 6 speed, and sure grip with 3.55's. For color, I am still undecided and open to suggestions. I do know I want a six pack hood and tail stripes like a bee. I want the cruise and a/c working, probably do a hydro boost brake conversion. It will need all the modern suspension front and rear, maybe even air ride? I like 15" wheels and hub caps but maybe I could be swayed to do a more modern size wheel, with the right amount of persuasion. People will either love it or hate it!
Below is the wagon after putting the little bitty wheels and tires on it, my yellow coronet that fed the need to buy the wagon, and some inspirational wagon pics, which one is your favorite? It would be pretty cool to do the wagon exactly like my yellow car in appearance but modern under the skin for daily drive ability.
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Nice wagon! Be a great pro-street project. Big tubs and wide meats.....
superbee_68
Well-Known Member
What all needs to be modified or changed to swap in a magnum 318 and 46re transmission from a 1995 cargo van, 42,000 miles? I can get the complete running driving van for free, my best bud owns a junkyard. I believe it's OBD1 but still has multiport fuel injection and an overdrive transmission. My wagon runs and drives now so I'm thinking the swap would be fairly quick to do. I think the hardest part would be modifying the harness, adding a fuel pump, and modifying the cross-member. Has anyone else done a similar swap while keeping the fuel injection?
I priced a 5.7 hemi swap and it's out of the acceptable budget for now. I know that OBD1 tuning is a challenge, but I do not want to modify the engine in anyway, just looking for a reliable and cheap motor to swap in so I can daily drive the car.
I priced a 5.7 hemi swap and it's out of the acceptable budget for now. I know that OBD1 tuning is a challenge, but I do not want to modify the engine in anyway, just looking for a reliable and cheap motor to swap in so I can daily drive the car.
Cman
Well-Known Member
Nice Wagon, makes for a great pair of cars. I'm not usually a fan of big diameter wheels on 'our' style of cars, but on a wagon.....I must admit that blue one you showed after your yellow car looks pretty neat. Maybe with cast centred Salt Flat Specials instead, just to be a bit more subtle ?
superbee_68
Well-Known Member
Here is all the info I have found so far on a magnum engine swap using the 518/46re transmission:
First of all, what I plan to purchase for this swap is a 1995 318, 5.2 L, mpfi engine with the matching 518 transmission. The engine and transmission will be coming out of a daily driver van that was totaled last week and only had 42,000 miles on it. Since it is a 1995 van, the pcm will use older OBDI communication. Also, being a 1995, the 518 transmission will have the 3 pin connector, which means it has over drive and a lock-up converter. If the transmission was older, it would only have a 2 pin connector with over drive only and no lock-up on the converter. If the transmission was newer and from an ODBII vehicle, it would be the computer controlled transmission and require a pcm to shift.
For those only interested in swapping in a 518/46re and not interested in running a factory style pcm and efi, as long as the transmission is 1995 or older, it can be controlled to shift using solenoids and a vacuum switch from PATC. They also have more advanced systems now that are tune-able. Be sure to get the correct flex plate and converter to accommodate the balance style of the engine in the car, and lockup vs. non-lockup depending on year.
For those only interested in swapping in a magnum engine and leaving a 904/727, you must ensure you have the proper converter and flex plate combo to accommodate the externally balanced magnum engine. I will not go over which flex plate or converter to get because every car started with different parts and is vehicle specific.
OBDI vs. OBDII- The earlier system, OBDI, is simpler and works for stock engine applications. For my case, since I am getting the entire engine, transmission, wiring harness, and pcm, it makes sense for me to keep the OBDI to keep cost down for the initial swap. For those looking for run a factory style pcm and want to add performance parts, it is best to buy an OBDII motor, or change the harness and computer to OBDII. The upgrade can be done to an original OBI engine but requires a new harness, pcm, and changing a few sensors. OBDII computer must be flashed before they will work in an older car, OBI computers do not. For those looking for big power, forced induction, or big cams, it is best to ditch the factory pcm and fuel injection and go after market. There are many options here. I plan to leave the engine stock, for now, so I will run the OBDI pcm.
Wiring Harness- The factory harness can be modified to work but is not a job for the average mechanic. A simpler solution is to buy a hot rod style harness that only has a few wires to hook up. I plant to swap in the factory harness with fuse block from the van. I like complicated projects like this and saving money. I probably should just order the hotrod style harness...
Lockup vs non-lockup transmission- obviously lower rpm on the highway is achieved with a lockup converter style 518. There are countless arguments over strength and reliability. I would go with whatever is available and less expensive. For cars with big power, do your research to see if the 518 will last behind your engine. The yoke might need to be changed on the drive shaft to go in the 518.
Magnum vs LA- There is a website called magnum swap .com that talks about the similarities and differences between the two. Find this website for more details. In summary, the magnum engine will bolt in with relatively few modifications and many parts will swap between the two engines. A magnum engine can be disguised as a LA with the right combination of parts. The magnum is a hydraulic roller motor and very inexpensive from junkyards but suffers from a poor factory cylinder head that leads to cracking between the valves. Magnum engines are a great alternative to rebuilding a tired 318 when budget is in mind. I am going the magnum route because I can get a low mileage fuel injected motor with an over drive transmission for less than the cost of adding fuel injection to my stock LA. Kind of a no brainer in my opinion.
5.2 vs 5.9- Personal preference here. I am going with whats available and cheap since I am not after big power.
Fuel delivery- Probably the most complicated part. There are fuel tanks available with in-tank pumps for lots of money. The factory tank can be modified with the right amount of ingenuity. Or a fuel pump can be mounted on the frame rail. Be sure to make sure the pump puts out the right pressure, and/or a filter regulator combo is used. Circulating the fuel with a return keeps the pump cool and increases life span. Do what fits your budget and skill level. I plan to modify the tank to accept the fuel pump from the Vans fuel tank. We will see how this turns out.
Up front fitment issues I know are coming- The drive shaft will need to be cut and the cross-member will need to be custom to accept the 518. The tunnel will probably need massaging to get the drive-line angles correct to prevent vibrations. I may have to go to electric fans to run the magnum serpentine belt accessory drive. To put the motor in the car, I will have to swap to a car LA 360 oil pan and pickup. The 518 needs a big transmission cooler to keep it alive so I plan to bi-pass the factory radiator and use a large aftermarket cooler. There will be more issues and I will keep track of things and share as the swap goes along and after it is complete.
The end goal- a reliable engine with fuel injection, an overdrive transmission for highway cruising, relatively clean install on wiring and pcm using the vans harness, re-use factory radiator and column shift linkage, and keep total budget for the swap including engine and transmission under $1,500. So far for the engine, transmission, wiring, pcm, and fuel pump from the van, I will be spending $700 plus the fuel to go get it all. That leaves $800 to finish the swap, wish me luck.
I plan to grab the engine this weekend. I will keep track of the parts and labor bill for those who are interested. I will also share the issues I run into.
First of all, what I plan to purchase for this swap is a 1995 318, 5.2 L, mpfi engine with the matching 518 transmission. The engine and transmission will be coming out of a daily driver van that was totaled last week and only had 42,000 miles on it. Since it is a 1995 van, the pcm will use older OBDI communication. Also, being a 1995, the 518 transmission will have the 3 pin connector, which means it has over drive and a lock-up converter. If the transmission was older, it would only have a 2 pin connector with over drive only and no lock-up on the converter. If the transmission was newer and from an ODBII vehicle, it would be the computer controlled transmission and require a pcm to shift.
For those only interested in swapping in a 518/46re and not interested in running a factory style pcm and efi, as long as the transmission is 1995 or older, it can be controlled to shift using solenoids and a vacuum switch from PATC. They also have more advanced systems now that are tune-able. Be sure to get the correct flex plate and converter to accommodate the balance style of the engine in the car, and lockup vs. non-lockup depending on year.
For those only interested in swapping in a magnum engine and leaving a 904/727, you must ensure you have the proper converter and flex plate combo to accommodate the externally balanced magnum engine. I will not go over which flex plate or converter to get because every car started with different parts and is vehicle specific.
OBDI vs. OBDII- The earlier system, OBDI, is simpler and works for stock engine applications. For my case, since I am getting the entire engine, transmission, wiring harness, and pcm, it makes sense for me to keep the OBDI to keep cost down for the initial swap. For those looking for run a factory style pcm and want to add performance parts, it is best to buy an OBDII motor, or change the harness and computer to OBDII. The upgrade can be done to an original OBI engine but requires a new harness, pcm, and changing a few sensors. OBDII computer must be flashed before they will work in an older car, OBI computers do not. For those looking for big power, forced induction, or big cams, it is best to ditch the factory pcm and fuel injection and go after market. There are many options here. I plan to leave the engine stock, for now, so I will run the OBDI pcm.
Wiring Harness- The factory harness can be modified to work but is not a job for the average mechanic. A simpler solution is to buy a hot rod style harness that only has a few wires to hook up. I plant to swap in the factory harness with fuse block from the van. I like complicated projects like this and saving money. I probably should just order the hotrod style harness...
Lockup vs non-lockup transmission- obviously lower rpm on the highway is achieved with a lockup converter style 518. There are countless arguments over strength and reliability. I would go with whatever is available and less expensive. For cars with big power, do your research to see if the 518 will last behind your engine. The yoke might need to be changed on the drive shaft to go in the 518.
Magnum vs LA- There is a website called magnum swap .com that talks about the similarities and differences between the two. Find this website for more details. In summary, the magnum engine will bolt in with relatively few modifications and many parts will swap between the two engines. A magnum engine can be disguised as a LA with the right combination of parts. The magnum is a hydraulic roller motor and very inexpensive from junkyards but suffers from a poor factory cylinder head that leads to cracking between the valves. Magnum engines are a great alternative to rebuilding a tired 318 when budget is in mind. I am going the magnum route because I can get a low mileage fuel injected motor with an over drive transmission for less than the cost of adding fuel injection to my stock LA. Kind of a no brainer in my opinion.
5.2 vs 5.9- Personal preference here. I am going with whats available and cheap since I am not after big power.
Fuel delivery- Probably the most complicated part. There are fuel tanks available with in-tank pumps for lots of money. The factory tank can be modified with the right amount of ingenuity. Or a fuel pump can be mounted on the frame rail. Be sure to make sure the pump puts out the right pressure, and/or a filter regulator combo is used. Circulating the fuel with a return keeps the pump cool and increases life span. Do what fits your budget and skill level. I plan to modify the tank to accept the fuel pump from the Vans fuel tank. We will see how this turns out.
Up front fitment issues I know are coming- The drive shaft will need to be cut and the cross-member will need to be custom to accept the 518. The tunnel will probably need massaging to get the drive-line angles correct to prevent vibrations. I may have to go to electric fans to run the magnum serpentine belt accessory drive. To put the motor in the car, I will have to swap to a car LA 360 oil pan and pickup. The 518 needs a big transmission cooler to keep it alive so I plan to bi-pass the factory radiator and use a large aftermarket cooler. There will be more issues and I will keep track of things and share as the swap goes along and after it is complete.
The end goal- a reliable engine with fuel injection, an overdrive transmission for highway cruising, relatively clean install on wiring and pcm using the vans harness, re-use factory radiator and column shift linkage, and keep total budget for the swap including engine and transmission under $1,500. So far for the engine, transmission, wiring, pcm, and fuel pump from the van, I will be spending $700 plus the fuel to go get it all. That leaves $800 to finish the swap, wish me luck.
I plan to grab the engine this weekend. I will keep track of the parts and labor bill for those who are interested. I will also share the issues I run into.
superbee_68
Well-Known Member
I am going to post all the above information in a thread that has a title that is more relevant so the information is easier to find in a search for others in the future.
GrabberOrange69
Well-Known Member
Cool wagon.
Your plan is great. Just add a turbo.
Your plan is great. Just add a turbo.
DodgeDave68
Member
VERY AWESOME!! I love 4doors and wagons. Im looking for a 68 coronet wagon or a 68/69 satellite/belvedere wagon. You are just north of me - so lucky - ENJOY
Very cool wagon!
superbee_68
Well-Known Member
Here is the link to the engine swap thread.
http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/mopar...ith-518-46re-swap-in-1968-Dodge-Coronet-Wagon
I'll post up pics here as well at major milestones but I'll leave details for the swap thread. First major milestone, the engine is in the shop. For $700 I was able to grab almost everything I need for the swap. I'll get parts like the oil pan and transmission mount ordered Monday. Can't wait to get started. Does feel weird to pull apart a running and driving car. It will be worth it though!
http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/mopar...ith-518-46re-swap-in-1968-Dodge-Coronet-Wagon
I'll post up pics here as well at major milestones but I'll leave details for the swap thread. First major milestone, the engine is in the shop. For $700 I was able to grab almost everything I need for the swap. I'll get parts like the oil pan and transmission mount ordered Monday. Can't wait to get started. Does feel weird to pull apart a running and driving car. It will be worth it though!
jfreakofkorn
Well-Known Member
neat looking wagon ...
Avantguy
Well-Known Member
What a nice find. You guys in the South and out West have all the luck. I too love the wagons. Always made for the best "Sleepers" for the unsuspecting.
SteveSS
Well-Known Member
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Man you've got me thinking of a wagon. I've been seeing lots of wagons that have identifiable front ends of muscle cars. Say the front looks like a GTO but It's a Pontiac wagon.
Longroof
Well-Known Member
Don't get a Pontiac Wagon..... those are horrible, so are the Chevy's Ford's, and others. Keep it Mopar, they are way better looking and better performing.
74moparmaniac
Well-Known Member
That will be a cool Saturday night cruiser! Look at it this way also...."The Crusher" didn't get it. Have tons of fun with it! I know the feeling, I got my 74 Charger back that I sold 32 1/2 years ago. Read about it in the Welcome Wagon. Enjoy Friend!!
bigaadams
Well-Known Member
die this project die on the operating table....curious if the engine every sprang back to life in the wagon body
superbee_68
Well-Known Member
This project didn't die on the table, but a lot happened and the car is nothing like I had intended in my earlier posts. I'll tell the story as concise as possible:
About 20 months ago my job moved to a different city a couple hundred miles south and I choose to stay put. I was worried it would take a while to find work again since I live pretty far from town, so I sold off projects and parts to pad the savings account. Got to do what you go to do right? Well after selling the wagon to a buddy, a bunch of motors and transmissions, four wheeler, dirt bike, bunch of toys, etc., I find myself in a new job after just two months.
The buddy I sold the wagon to immediately stripped the car, and went nuts ordering parts on the credit card. He put in a 440 and 727 with manual valve body and trans-brake, 4.10 gears with spool in the 8.75, driveshaft and loop, and rips out all the wiring and interior including a/c parts. Adds a roll bar, racing seats, fuel cell, complete fuel system, dakota digital gauges on a flat aluminum dash, MSD digital 7, and a wiring harness from painless. Changes the steering box, all the ball-joints, ties rods, bushings, new disc brake kit from SSBC, all brakes lines, cal-tracks for the rear, longer studs, new lightweight aluminum wheels, skinnies on the front, and drag radials on the back. Does an aluminum radiator, electric fans, electric water pump, complete exhaust, and basically finishes installing everything needed to put the car back on the road. The only things left to do was finish terminate the wiring and tie up some odds and ends. Well like a lot of projects, he lost interest at the wiring step, so close to being done!!! He never intended to do any paintwork and tried to make it look like everything was right out of the junkyard, I guess going for a sleeper look.
The first couple pictures are the condition of the car after sitting for at least a year waiting on wiring to finish it up. I took the opportunity to buy the car back for a bargain since it wasn't running anymore. This friend had recently bought a hellcat and was already modifying it so I figured he had no intention of ever going back to finish the wagon. I spent the next month finishing the wiring and getting it road ready. The last 5 pictures show the condition of the car today. It has made a dozen passes at the drag strip and driven to town a hand full of times. Honestly this whole roller coaster of a story worked out for me in the end. It's not the direction I would have gone with the car, but its a lot of fun and the total investment I have in it is still pretty low.
It's not too late to go back, but I think the car is fun the way it is now. I now dream of putting in a 500 cu. in. monster and cleaning up the interior a bit. What would you all do with it now?
About 20 months ago my job moved to a different city a couple hundred miles south and I choose to stay put. I was worried it would take a while to find work again since I live pretty far from town, so I sold off projects and parts to pad the savings account. Got to do what you go to do right? Well after selling the wagon to a buddy, a bunch of motors and transmissions, four wheeler, dirt bike, bunch of toys, etc., I find myself in a new job after just two months.
The buddy I sold the wagon to immediately stripped the car, and went nuts ordering parts on the credit card. He put in a 440 and 727 with manual valve body and trans-brake, 4.10 gears with spool in the 8.75, driveshaft and loop, and rips out all the wiring and interior including a/c parts. Adds a roll bar, racing seats, fuel cell, complete fuel system, dakota digital gauges on a flat aluminum dash, MSD digital 7, and a wiring harness from painless. Changes the steering box, all the ball-joints, ties rods, bushings, new disc brake kit from SSBC, all brakes lines, cal-tracks for the rear, longer studs, new lightweight aluminum wheels, skinnies on the front, and drag radials on the back. Does an aluminum radiator, electric fans, electric water pump, complete exhaust, and basically finishes installing everything needed to put the car back on the road. The only things left to do was finish terminate the wiring and tie up some odds and ends. Well like a lot of projects, he lost interest at the wiring step, so close to being done!!! He never intended to do any paintwork and tried to make it look like everything was right out of the junkyard, I guess going for a sleeper look.
The first couple pictures are the condition of the car after sitting for at least a year waiting on wiring to finish it up. I took the opportunity to buy the car back for a bargain since it wasn't running anymore. This friend had recently bought a hellcat and was already modifying it so I figured he had no intention of ever going back to finish the wagon. I spent the next month finishing the wiring and getting it road ready. The last 5 pictures show the condition of the car today. It has made a dozen passes at the drag strip and driven to town a hand full of times. Honestly this whole roller coaster of a story worked out for me in the end. It's not the direction I would have gone with the car, but its a lot of fun and the total investment I have in it is still pretty low.
It's not too late to go back, but I think the car is fun the way it is now. I now dream of putting in a 500 cu. in. monster and cleaning up the interior a bit. What would you all do with it now?
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