Jay Rod writes: I have owned this 1965 Dodge Coronet 500 since 1984.
Jay Rod writes: I have owned this 1965 Dodge Coronet 500 since 1984. |
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I bought the Mopar from the original owner and for the past 28 years the 500’s been nothing but a challenge, fun and a lot of pride. |
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The Dodge started out sporting a 318 Poly and I must say it was faithful to the day we pulled the Poly out. |
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I was lucky enough to locate a 1971 Chrysler Imperial that belonged to a “Shady Reverend” who lived in our area. It had a true 78,000 plus miles on it. The Chrysler happened to be packing a Factory Duel snorkel air cleaner TNT 440 and with a little research we were able to verified that it was indeed a true 1971 Hi Po Engine. This TNT 440 came stock in the Imperial with a set of 9.7:1 pistons allowing it to make 370 horse power. The big block was also pushing a good 60 psi of oil pressure and that was all the proof we needed, so out of the Imperial and into the the machine shop the 440 went. |
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The engine received a complete rebuild, along with a 491 lift 274 duration Comp Cam setup that included a double roller timing chain, heavy duty matching Valve springs, new hydraulic lifters and push rods. I decided to install a new set of Manley Intake/Exhaust valves with a 3 angle Valve Job in order to revive combustion, new valve guide’s set up for unleaded gas, along with a Melling heavy duty oil pump a Milodon windage tray and a Hemi orange paint job. The 440 now has a Protronix II ignition system, a Holly 8 psi fuel pump, Holly Street Dominator manifold and Holly dual feed 750 cfm carburetor. |
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Cooling for the 440 is handled by a hand-fabricated high-efficiency aluminum radiator with a 2 rows / 1 inch tubes fabricated by Smith Racing Radiators.
The power is transmitted to an original cable shift 727 TorqueFlite transmission. I had the transmission changed over to a 1965 big block housing, and then completely rebuilt. A new transmission mount, B&M Stage II shift kit, and Custom made 19-spline 2800 stall torque converter from Hughes Converter, along with a B&M flexplate.
Putting the power to the pavement is a 1967 differential with 3:23 SureGrip, new universal joints, and a Mopar pinion snuber. Consequently, the Coronet runs at a steady 70 mph at 2800 RPM’s: a good highway car!
The interior was custom-made by Legendary Auto Interiors. Traveling music is provided by a sound system utilizing a remote control JVC cd player with a 750 watt amp and four 6x9 Infinity speakers. |
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The paint job utilized Glasurit Paints in Inca Gold Pearl shade. |
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I have been a member of The 1962 to 1965 Mopar web site for almost ten years and it has been nothing but a positive experience from day one. On this web site I have been lucky enough to meet good people, receive good advice, solid information, and yes...help gathering very hard-to-locate parts. That alone is super outstanding. Thank you “Men of Mopar” — you all know who you are. |
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Contact Jay Rod: 
