Poly or Hemi? TAKE MY POLE....I mean....POLL!!!!

[cudajimmy]

I need some advice. First let me tell you the plans for the truck:

It's a 61 D100 SWB (that's Short Wide Bed for those of you from afar).

Repaint close to original color (white over yellow), front axle flipped with a drop front axle, rear just a tad bit higher to give it a good rake. 15x6 Torque Thrust D's front, and 15x8.5 Torque Thrust D's rear with wide white walls (920x15's on back). Planning on putting a/c in it, manual steering, disc brakes on the front.

Truck has the original Poly/push button 727, shifts good, runs okay but smokes. I also have an 08 5.7 Hemi with transmission, harness, computer, etc.

Rebuild Poly or go with 2008 5.7 hemi motor and 727 to retain push button transmission, or go with complete 08 drivetrain? I will NOT subframe it. Decided to stick with the straight axle and update the brakes.

WHAT SAY YOU?

[EarlKann]

To me the poly has more cool factor. Sounds like you are making a more period type truck, keeping the straight axle and original color. Keep an eye out for an Edelbrock P600 (one on ebay currently) and get some of the new Chrysler Power finned valve covers to dress it up.

If I were going to do the 08 Hemi I would go ahead and do the IFS.

That's just my opinion.

[cudajimmy]

To me the poly has more cool factor. Sounds like you are making a more period type truck, keeping the straight axle and original color. Keep an eye out for an Edelbrock P600 (one on ebay currently) and get some of the new Chrysler Power finned valve covers to dress it up.

If I were going to do the 08 Hemi I would go ahead and do the IFS.

That's just my opinion.

I have a 2x4 intake to put on the Poly.

[EarlKann]

Stick with the yellow/poly/axle and I might want to buy it from you when you're done!

[PwrWgnDrvr]

So many changes it isnt even close to factory original. 318 poly was common as dirt in the day and absolutely NO cool factor in my book. I know I sure as hell wasn't "cool' driving a 65 Fury with a poly in high school in 71! Anybody that was cool had muscle motors in their cars, not wimpy small blocks.

[66patrick]

I'd go the full custom route, with the Hemi, o/d trans and an IFS. Lower 3" all around, paint and drive.

[EarlKann]

So many changes it isnt even close to factory original. 318 poly was common as dirt in the day and absolutely NO cool factor in my book. I know I sure as hell wasn't "cool' driving a 65 Fury with a poly in high school in 71! Anybody that was cool had muscle motors in their cars, not wimpy small blocks.

It's not 1971 anymore, nobody knows what a poly is these days, even some Mopar guys. People see the distinctive ridge on the valve covers and get confused. Add a P600 or a dual quad and they will be dumbfounded trying to figure out what engine you are running.


I think the Hemi/OD/IFS is just as good, but if I were going the new Hemi route it just doesn't make sense to mix it with the solid axle, even with updated brakes.

In any case, it's your truck, do what you like!

[Txas2step]

I think the poly/push button combo. is really nice in the '61.....wish my '61 was that set-up. Hope you use the Poly.

[cudajimmy]

I think I landed a Poly with 3k miles on it. Pretty excited!

[marklein]

Here's an idea. Rebuild the poly for the cool factor, then put an MSD efi (or equivalant) system on it. Self learning giving you the best of both worlds, runs great and more hp than a carb. Better yet, do a search on stroking that poly. Use a cut down 360 crankshaft, 360 poly, they make awesome horsepower. Or the 400 cid crank, bore it .090" giving 400 ish cid, more hp than that 3500lb swb will ever need.

[cudajimmy]

Here's an idea. Rebuild the poly for the cool factor, then put an MSD efi (or equivalant) system on it. Self learning giving you the best of both worlds, runs great and more hp than a carb. Better yet, do a search on stroking that poly. Use a cut down 360 crankshaft, 360 poly, they make awesome horsepower. Or the 400 cid crank, bore it .090" giving 400 ish cid, more hp than that 3500lb swb will ever need.

I like the way you think.

[cudajimmy]

Bought a Poly from another forum member. Just have to figure out how to get it here from Georgia. Only has 3k miles on it! Valve springs, cam, dual 4 intake.... then into the truck it goes!

[cudajimmy]

Who voted for number 2? Curious to hear your thoughts on this...

[jakas66]

Hmmm...Nostalgia, half and half, or full on tech upgrades. It's a tough choice. These old machines are only original once and are getting harder to come by. The lure of an old body with all the new parts/pieces underneath has it's advantages. I decide not to vote for various reasons, but I personally can't see any good reason to go with option #2. In the end, your truck your choice.