May 2003 Mopar of the Month

1963 Plymouth Savoy

Chuck writes:

I looked for a 1963 Plymouth Savoy for many years. I finally located this one through a failed Ebay auction. The only problem was, the car was in Canada. After talking with the seller a few times, I decided to take a chance and go look at the car.

I bought the Savoy on the spot.

Though not perfect, the Savoy was exactly what I was looking for. Well, almost.

The guy that I bought the car from had gotten it from a friend who decided that a Chevrolet drivetrain was the way to go! So he installed a 427 Chevy and a 12 bolt differential in the car, (can you say sacrilege and blasphemy?). He also used a 1965 push button Torqueflite, (this was a GOOD thing) with a transmission adaptor to make the 427 work!

After I got the car home, those GM parts were sold for $$$ to put Mopar components back into the car. Of course.

Now in the engine compartment sits a stroked 400 (451 cubes). The transmission was gone through by Dynamic and they supplied a 9.5 inch converter. The 12 bolt diff was replaced with a new DTS narrowed Dana 60 with 4.30:1 gearing, disc brakes, Strange axles and a Power-Lok sure grip unit.

The engine block is a 1976 400.

stroked 400 motor in 1963 Plymouth Savoy

The 400 was bored 0.030", uses a cut down 440 crank
(counterweights were clearanced, 3.75quot; stroke), Eagle H-beam
rods (6.760"), Diamond pistons (#52007), aluminum Edelbrock
84cc heads, Edelbrock TM6 intake, MP 557 lift solid cam, Harland
Sharp roller rockers and shafts/hold downs, Crane pushrods,
Holley 1000cfm 4150 carb (#80513), MP electronic ignition
(timing is at 38 degrees at 3000 rpm), Clevite 77 rod/main bearings,
speed-pro chromoly rings, windage tray, 7 quart Milodon oil pan/pickup,
MP HV oil pump, OLD Weiand cast aluminum valve covers (polished up nice),
TTI 1-3/4" ceramic coated headers.

Marshall at Campbell Enterprises in VA supplied the block, crank and CAT fluid balancer and Lewis did the machine work. It turned out excellent.

See more "before" pictures.	See "In progress" pictures, including engine work.	See "In the body shop" pictures.
See more "Completed" pictures.	Visit Chuck's Web page.	Visit previous Mopar of the Month vehicles!

Go to the 1962 to 1965 Mopar Web Site Home Page.