1964 Dodge Phoenix

Road Racing Project In Progress

Ray writes: To summarize, plans were formulated in November/December 2002. The decision was made that a 1964 Dodge Phoenix would be the only suitable model to race due to class restrictions and rarity, cost and fragility of the Borg-Warner 4-speed gearbox used in 1963 model.

Car locating then commenced, and a car was located in September 2003, but it had been sold. A phone call during May 2004 revealed that the car again was available. And this car was purchased on the 6th of June 2004.

11 inch x 3 inch front brakes, a Police and Taxi option. Bottom end of engine... probably not much to say. Spare heads for gas flow testing. Poly chamber of a rough head, this one's been lying in the rain or something! Ben using the sonic tester on a 313 block... it wasn't any better for boring than the 318, and there were other factors about it that meant it was useless. This donor car gave up a spare differential, rear brakes and a tail shaft. It's a '67 Phoenix as sold here, obviously a Plymouth there.

Timeline/plans for Benno's 1964 Dodge Phoenix racing project. Parts procurement: 4-speed gearbox (A833 New Process) – December 2004 Bellhousing to suit gearbox – 26 Jan 2005 11 inch front brake drums – 7 February 2005 1 inch and 1.125 inch torsion bars – 7 February 2005 1965+ (flanged) axle shafts – 7 February 2005 Power steering box – 7 February 2005 11 inch front brakes complete – 12 February 2005 313 short motor (for parts) – 18 February 2005 11inch rear brakes, spare differential etc – 2 March 2005 3 heads, spare block etc – 31 March 2005 2 spare rear ends – 18 April 2005 313 engine complete (for parts) – 19 April 2005 Still to find: Limited Slip (clutch type Sure Grip) centre Lower rear axle ratios than present 3.23:1 Spare body panels Spare engines and camshafts Laminated windscreen (car has only zone-toughened screen) Shifter and clutch pedal Shock absorbers Aluminum front bumper bar Jobs to do: Fit roll cage Panel repairs Paint body and spare body panels Refit windows and trim including new windscreen Restore upholstery Send suspension and other bolts and nuts for cad plating Investigate porting and prepare test head for gas flowing Block machining Reassemble gearbox with new bearings Purchase Eagle rods and Ross Forged pistons Purchase valves and valve springs Prepare heads in light of flow bench results Make extractor-type headers Make inlet manifold Obtain large capacity radiator Locate and purchase carburettors Make enlarged sump pan including baffling and oil pickup Purchase aluminum flywheel Purchase clutch assembly Purchase high-volume oil pump Polish and relieve oil passages etc. in block and heads Arrange cam grinding to different specs of four camshafts Assemble engine Trial assembly of engine and gearbox and make gearbox mount Fit clutch operating assembly, pedal etc. Overhaul 11 inch brakes and braking system Purchase Nolathane bushes and fit to suspension Assemble rear springs with extra leaves Fit flanged axles in place of tapered and keyed axles Fit heavier front torsion bars Fit adjustable shock absorbers Fit 11 inch brakes all round Purchase 15 inch x 6 inch wheels Fit Sure Grip units to different differential centres Dyno test and tune engine with each camshaft to assess best grind Arrange inspection by CAMS eligibility officers Obtain racing log book Test car on circuit and adjust suspension according to findings