Modified 1/18 Diecast Mopars
I took a brand new HWY-61 1964 Dodge Polara out of the box, a new Supercars injected 426 Hemi
(from their altered wheelbase AFX cars) out of the package, a new GMP gasser/altered wheel set out
of the package (had to replace the way too tiny front tires with some from a Maisto 63 Dodge 330 -
perfect fit), a B+M Pro-Shifter from Corrupted Diecast and unwrapped a new set of my own scratch-
built all metal exhaust headers.
I disassembled the car and after sizing up the rear tires I performed a standard "mini-tub" trimming
on the inside of the rear wheel wells then cut the ends of the axle housing and drilled it straight through
for a straight steel axle rod. The rear springs were relocated inside of the frame rails. The rear wheels
& tires fit perfectly for width and diameter and rotate nicely while giving the car a perfect stance.
Up front, the springs were removed allowing the ride height to be set by adjusting the screws that go
straight up through the lower control arms. I made adapter hubs for the front wheels out out aluminum
hobby tubing.
Since the new engine/trans combo was a 727 Torqueflite instead of the A833 4-speed the car came with
I removed the clutch pedal and replaced the manual shifter with the B+M Pro-Shifter unit.
I had assumed that the engine swap would be fall down easy but that was not the case as I discovered
that although the front motor mounts were the same the trans was a little shorter and more importantly
the oil pan was humungous.....which would not have been a problem in it's original intended home in a
car with AFX front suspension (K-member and upper control arm mounting points moved drastically
forward).
After breaking for lunch and an official pondering session I considered cutting the oil pans from the two
motors loose and swapping them (the injected motor's pan was molded in concert with the trans housing)
but the light shined on me during my after-meal repose and I remembered what they did on the real cars
(I should have a welt on my forehead from smacking it!). I was able to drill a cross hole in the pan for the
drag link and notched the K-member for the front part of the oil pan to clear.
Finally reassembled she looks beautiful and sits sweet. I'm satisfied with the result but like a lot of my built
cars it will eventually be destined for eBay as most other cars on this thread. Inquire if you wish.
I took a brand new HWY-61 1964 Dodge Polara out of the box, a new Supercars injected 426 Hemi
(from their altered wheelbase AFX cars) out of the package, a new GMP gasser/altered wheel set out
of the package (had to replace the way too tiny front tires with some from a Maisto 63 Dodge 330 -
perfect fit), a B+M Pro-Shifter from Corrupted Diecast and unwrapped a new set of my own scratch-
built all metal exhaust headers.
I disassembled the car and after sizing up the rear tires I performed a standard "mini-tub" trimming
on the inside of the rear wheel wells then cut the ends of the axle housing and drilled it straight through
for a straight steel axle rod. The rear springs were relocated inside of the frame rails. The rear wheels
& tires fit perfectly for width and diameter and rotate nicely while giving the car a perfect stance.
Up front, the springs were removed allowing the ride height to be set by adjusting the screws that go
straight up through the lower control arms. I made adapter hubs for the front wheels out out aluminum
hobby tubing.
Since the new engine/trans combo was a 727 Torqueflite instead of the A833 4-speed the car came with
I removed the clutch pedal and replaced the manual shifter with the B+M Pro-Shifter unit.
I had assumed that the engine swap would be fall down easy but that was not the case as I discovered
that although the front motor mounts were the same the trans was a little shorter and more importantly
the oil pan was humungous.....which would not have been a problem in it's original intended home in a
car with AFX front suspension (K-member and upper control arm mounting points moved drastically
forward).
After breaking for lunch and an official pondering session I considered cutting the oil pans from the two
motors loose and swapping them (the injected motor's pan was molded in concert with the trans housing)
but the light shined on me during my after-meal repose and I remembered what they did on the real cars
(I should have a welt on my forehead from smacking it!). I was able to drill a cross hole in the pan for the
drag link and notched the K-member for the front part of the oil pan to clear.
Finally reassembled she looks beautiful and sits sweet. I'm satisfied with the result but like a lot of my built
cars it will eventually be destined for eBay as most other cars on this thread. Inquire if you wish.
