[2manycars4me]

I have a 1955 Plymouth Belvedere with a 318 Mopar Polysphere wide block. For as long as the car has been sitting it is in pretty good shape. All the major metal is still there and everything except the eight track player is original to the car.

I would like to get some project ideas for the car, i was thinking restoration with a few high performance parts, or just going with high performance.

So far as i know the engine and transmission are both good in the car, but i am not sure, that will be a huge thing in determining what i will do, but your in put is still greatly appreciated.

I really would like to know what people would think for this build, and i will try to put together a journal of before during and after photos.

[poncho62]

If its the original engine, I am pretty sure its not a 318.....They didn't come out until 58, I believe.........That would be something I would check into.

[2manycars4me]

I didn't think that it was the original engine, but i did some looking around and i found that it was supposedly the original engine, i don't know how reliable the sources were, but i looked at Google, and came up with a few that said it was a mopar polysphere 318 and it was original, i even found some pics of a couple of 55's with the 318, not many, and could have been custom, but claimed they were original. I really would like to know for absolute certainty, but i have no idea how to get that guaranteed information.

It is most probably a 270 cid if the car is original, but the guy that gave it to me said it was a 318 in which case it would be custom, but i have no way to be sure, i have the vehicle number but don't know what good that will do, or where i can use it to find out what engine it is.

[Slipangle]

I'm not a Mopar guy so I wouldn't take my word over someone who is, but from what I'm finding here:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1951-1...belvedere4.htm

there were 3 engines for '55, and it was the first year for a V-8. They had 241 and 260 cubic inches displacement.

[2manycars4me]

Thanks man, i found it is a 318 or at least it looks it or 331. Anyone know what the dimensions are for a 318 polysphere, a specific distance from valve cover to valve cover or something, I can't find a number or anything on the motor that i can use to identify the motor, it is definately not original, I am sorry to be giving you guys the run around, but there has been a little lapse in communication on this end of things as to what the car is.

What i know for a fact: 1955 plymouth belvedere, two speed automatic transmission

[TucsonJay]

From an investment standpoint, I think I would change the oil and trans fluids, and see if you can get it running. If that is possible, and it runs good, I would go from there, but if it's no good as is, pull the motor and trans, and keep them for the day you decide to sell it.

If you want a performance car, I would go with a later 340-360, and modern trans and rear axle. Why spend the rebuild and speed parts money on something that won't give you as much power??? In a modified condition, it would probably also be worth more this way.

[2manycars4me]

thank you very much tuscon jay, i will see if the enigine is any good, the guy who owned used to change the oil with out moving it, the oil is a few years old, and is still clean. hopefully its still there.

[evolvo]

Originally Posted by 2manycars4me

thank you very much tuscon jay, i will see if the enigine is any good, the guy who owned used to change the oil with out moving it, the oil is a few years old, and is still clean. hopefully its still there.

2manycars4me,
What does that mean, "used to change the oil with out moving it", confusing?
Remember, if the oil has been sitting for a few years and looks clean on the dip stick its just because all the suspended particulate has settled to the bottom of the oil pan. If you don't change it, pulling and cleaning the pan would be best, all the dirt will get sucked into the oil pick up as the oil heats up. Very problematic.

Tucson Jay, you remind me of someone I sorta know from somewhere else!!

[TucsonJay]

Stranger things have happened. :-)~

[2manycars4me]

Even though the car never moved he used to change the oil, i have no idea why he did, but i am kinda glad that he did.
Sorry to have confused you guys.