Plymouth Owners Club

Hello everyone.

I hope it isn't against any rules for joining and starting off with a question.

I recently bought a 53 plymouth 2dr wagon/suburban for my wife. I has bad rear brakes, and I'm having a hard time finding pads and hardware.

Is there something innerchangable with it?

Is there a good donor rearend to swap into it? I would like a better, more highway friendly set of gears.

I thought I heard a camaro or dodge dakota rear would work.?

I appreciate any help. I'll be looking here for many things now that it's home. I have a few things to do before she can drive it.

Thanks
Tim
?

Hey Grumpy.....I think that you might try a NAPA store for the brake parts. They should have what you need. Good Luck!

I've tried all my local parts stores, including NAPA. No go, according to them.

I found some good, used rear shoes today. So that may help.

I'm still interested in a swap to gain better gears. I here maybe a 57-59 ford 9" would be near a bolt-in.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

Rear brake cylinder number is Raybestos,   WC 10588, still available.  Any good auto supply can send brake shoes out to be relined.  On Lockheed brakes such as on the rear of the 53 Plymouth, the short shoe goes to the rear, not to the front as on Bendix brakes.

Axle ratios for the differential found in the 53 can be  4.3, 3.9, 3.7 and possibly 3.54-1.  I think Grumpy would be happy with a 3.7-1 ratio but bear in mind, there is an axle spline change in 53. Earlier models used a coarse spline.  It might be tempting to try a 3.23 ratio but you have to consider that the engine has to turn sufficient rpms to put out maximum torque.  Differential parts can interchange from 37 t0 56 with the spline difference in 53-56. Axle lengths are the same from 50 through 56.

There is nothing wrong with a Ford nine inch rear, or a later Chrysler 8 3/4, but it is hard to beat the reliability of what the 53 Plymouth came equipped with originally.    dp

have you tried Kanter?  I bought all of my brake parts from them...

Pete

(https://www.plymouthowners.club/talk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fhome.rmci.net%2Fblueskies%2Fammco3.JPG&hash=92a2887ccc6329107d2868ca08fabef3653b54d9)

"THE OFFICIAL POLICY OF THE PLYMOUTH OWNERS CLUB, INC. IS TO PROMOTE THE CORRECT AND AUTHENTIC RESTORATION OF THE PLYMOUTH BRAND AND TO DISCOURAGE ANY ACTIVITIES, IDEAS OR PHILOSOPHIES CONTRARY TO THESE AIMS."

In that spirit we should consider the question: Is there anything wrong with restoring the car to its original condition? It has worked very well for 53 years now - why change the car to something else? If we want a modern car - then let's buy a modern car. Doesn't the official policy of the POC promote the preservation of our heritage for future generations?

Just some food for thought.?

James, you are right - - - but - this web site is considered a bit more open - while the majority of us do want to keep our Plymouth's original, this web site does not need to be so strict - our printed publication and judging has to be but the web will hopefully enlighten those who visit with good advice.  As always - sometimes people find it very hard to do what someone else thinks is right.

I hope he finds brakes and gears but if he does change the rear-end out - please keep the damage to a minimum and save the old stuff.  Not a whole lot of 53 suburban's around anymore.