new project

[HR5058]

First off, this is a great site and glad I found it. After having my 71 Duster drag car for over 17 years I sold it a couple of years ago and regretted it the day it left. Now I have a new project. I found a barn find in Cali a couple of weeks ago and bought it. The 1964 Plymouth Signet hasn't been on the road since 1998 and I have a lot of work to do but should be fun. I have read a lot of articles on here so far and without a doubt there is a lot less engine room on this car then the 71. Besides the suspension work I will be completing, I am still contemplating big or small block. I guess I have time to figure that out since I still want to convert to bbp, discs up front, 8 3/4 in rear, mini tub, and check and rewire the car. Poor old leaning tower wont even turn over. Here are a few pics from last week when just delivered. Car just has small dents but zero rust anywhere!

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[TXDart]

Welcome ,and that is car gorgeous !!!

:blob::blob::blob:

 

[HR5058]

Thanks! It will be fun to work on that is for sure.

 

[BillGrissom]

That car looks surprisingly modern, probably due to the black paint. I have a 64 Valiant convertible. I think the Valiant front looks much better than the Dart in 1964 (has over-bite), kind of a precursor to the 65 Dart front (purtiest of all?).

I understand that the only way to get power from a big block is to run headers thru large cutouts in the inner fenders. Otherwise, the exhaust restriction makes them perform no better than a small block. A 360 is the cheapest small block to add upgrades to. If staying stock, 318's are cheap and affordable. 273 pistons are fairly expensive, especially the high compression ones, so not the best path today.

Some have installed 5.9L Magnum engines (360). If you use the Magnum transmission, you must cut and reform the transmission tunnel. With that, you get modern performance and fuel economy fairly cheaply. A few have installed a modern Hemi or a GM LS engine in an early A, but much more customization.