Introducing myself, and Questions...

FEandGoingBroke

New Member
Joined
Mar 29, 2022
Messages
49
Reaction score
11
Location
port orchard Wa.
Hi folks, point me in the correct direction, new to this forum and searching has me confused.

What is a C body versus this New Look Forward business I'm seeing?

I am going to do a lot of mods to my ladies 1961 Newport Hardtop Wagon. I call it a 61 Newport... Someone told me i't s a C body, and being a Ford guy in my personal life I got no damn clue what the hell a C body is (same with the peoples that use body types for GM products, if you dont say it's a Camaro or a Ventura or a Firebird etc... I'l have no damn clue what they're talking about) Fords don't fool around wiht seven names for one product... It's a Mustang or a Galaxie or a Comet or an Pickup, simple plain english hahahaha.

OK, so What do I call this car in my searching? It's been owned by my lady for 25 years, on the road for 3 of those years and off the road ever since, kept running, but not driven. It's currently filled with the original everything 361 2V and one lunger drum brakes.

I have a running Donor 413 I'm going to put in it's place from a 62 Custom 880 4 door I picked up. And I want to convert it to manual dual bowl Master with front Disc brakes.

SO.... In my searching for the correct donor vehicles, and the correct threads pertaining to this 61 Newport, What Words do I use? C body 61 or Forward Look?


Thanks for any advice. I was on another forum these last several years and NOBODY posted any replies, so to hell with that place....


Regards,

FE (Gary)
CKAR&R Port Orchard WA.
 
Technically a C-Body is a 65 to 78 full size Mopar. ie. Fury, VIP, Suburban, Polara, Monaco, 880, any Chrysler. The 55 to 62 are known as Forward Look, and the 63 and 64 are a point of argument if they should also be called Forward Look. These predated Chrysler using letters to identify the body styles. This site has a lot of Forward Look owners so you may find parts you need here. Your search is accurate because many call Forward Look cars C-Bodies. Better to cast a wide net.
 
Welcome Gary! The 61 Chrysler wagons (Newport and NYr) are my all time fave Chrysler vehicle, so well done!

As noted above, Chrysler started using letter designations for the various platforms they built their cars on in 1965 - there are A Body, B Body, C Body, D Body, E Body and more. Generally they designate the overall size of the platform, with C and D being the largest during the 60s. Keep in mind that E bodies are NOT larger than C and D, they just came along later! Don't confuse the Chrysler 300 model designations of B through L as anything to do with the platform designation, that was simply an indication of an extra performance option package.

Before 1965, Chrysler wasn't using the letter version of platform designation, and instead there was "full size" and "mid size" cars. There may have been an internal designation by number or name, but I don't know it. All Chryslers from 57 - 62 and debatably up to 64(?) were known as Forward Look, but within that styling designation there was more than one platform size. It gets confusing. Know that your car will share many mechanical parts from Chryslers built for 1960, 61 and 62. Then things changed a lot.

Regardless, we'll keep you straight here! Searching by model year will likely garner you the most results.

We need to see pictures of your car! The plans you have for it sound great! Hopefully you still have the Custom 880 around, as it may yield some bits and pieces that will help get the 413 properly in place in the Newport - suspension stuff may be heavier duty with the larger engine, and I am not sure about things like motor mounts (I think they're the same between 361 and 413), and the radiator yoke etc. if you have a larger rad from the factory in the Custom 880. I believe the platform you have is identical between the 2 cars, so that's a bonus. Both your cars are on the Dodge Plymouth Chrysler FULL SIZE platform, but the Imperial is NOT included in that group, and is a different animal and slightly larger.

Lots of knowledgeable people on this site, so ask away. Make sure you have a thick skin too, as sometimes the lack of knowledge you have that prompts you to ask a question will result in a bit of teasing... don't take it too personally! It's just our way of toughening you up!

Your car will have some beautiful features like the electro-luminescent dash board - there are those here that can advise you if it's not working properly.

Disc brakes are another issue - there are aftermarket systems out there that many of us are skeptical of, and others are OK with. Apparently there are factory-based swap-ins from later model cars that work, but I am not aware of them specifically for Forward Look cars, but others can advise. I know a fair bit about the 65-68 disc brake swap that uses 70-73 factory disc brake parts.

Dual reservoir master cylinder - absolutely! But why the choice to go manual brakes when you already have a power brake setup? You'll need a different pedal assembly for starters. I respectfully suggest you revisit this idea, as it may save you some headscratching down the road. Again, lots of knowledge to glean from people here.

Best of luck, and post some pictures!!

This is NOT my car, just a nice 61 Newport wagon I have a pic of...

61 Newport Wagon.jpg
 
The 1962 413 will not work with the 1961 transmission. You would need to use a 1962 or newer big block transmission for it to work. The bolt patterns are the same but the 61 motor has an extended crank with 8 bolts. The 62 motor has a shorter end on the crank with 6 bolts. If you already have the tranny with the motor it should work and hook up to the pushbuttons.
 
Hi folks, point me in the correct direction, new to this forum and searching has me confused.

What is a C body versus this New Look Forward business I'm seeing?

I am going to do a lot of mods to my ladies 1961 Newport Hardtop Wagon. I call it a 61 Newport... Someone told me i't s a C body, and being a Ford guy in my personal life I got no damn clue what the hell a C body is (same with the peoples that use body types for GM products, if you dont say it's a Camaro or a Ventura or a Firebird etc... I'l have no damn clue what they're talking about) Fords don't fool around wiht seven names for one product... It's a Mustang or a Galaxie or a Comet or an Pickup, simple plain english hahahaha.

OK, so What do I call this car in my searching? It's been owned by my lady for 25 years, on the road for 3 of those years and off the road ever since, kept running, but not driven. It's currently filled with the original everything 361 2V and one lunger drum brakes.

I have a running Donor 413 I'm going to put in it's place from a 62 Custom 880 4 door I picked up. And I want to convert it to manual dual bowl Master with front Disc brakes.

SO.... In my searching for the correct donor vehicles, and the correct threads pertaining to this 61 Newport, What Words do I use? C body 61 or Forward Look?


Thanks for any advice. I was on another forum these last several years and NOBODY posted any replies, so to hell with that place....


Regards,

FE (Gary)
CKAR&R Port Orchard WA.
Welcome!

Lots of people who are helpful and lots of knowledge.
 
Hi folks, point me in the correct direction, new to this forum and searching has me confused.

What is a C body versus this New Look Forward business I'm seeing?

I am going to do a lot of mods to my ladies 1961 Newport Hardtop Wagon. I call it a 61 Newport... Someone told me i't s a C body, and being a Ford guy in my personal life I got no damn clue what the hell a C body is (same with the peoples that use body types for GM products, if you dont say it's a Camaro or a Ventura or a Firebird etc... I'l have no damn clue what they're talking about) Fords don't fool around wiht seven names for one product... It's a Mustang or a Galaxie or a Comet or an Pickup, simple plain english hahahaha.

OK, so What do I call this car in my searching? It's been owned by my lady for 25 years, on the road for 3 of those years and off the road ever since, kept running, but not driven. It's currently filled with the original everything 361 2V and one lunger drum brakes.

I have a running Donor 413 I'm going to put in it's place from a 62 Custom 880 4 door I picked up. And I want to convert it to manual dual bowl Master with front Disc brakes.

SO.... In my searching for the correct donor vehicles, and the correct threads pertaining to this 61 Newport, What Words do I use? C body 61 or Forward Look?


Thanks for any advice. I was on another forum these last several years and NOBODY posted any replies, so to hell with that place....


Regards,

FE (Gary)
CKAR&R Port Orchard WA.
Welcome and the rest of the guys explained the body differences. Problem is that there are a bunch of dumbass Mopar guys that call every big car a "C-Body", so expect to hear that often.

One thing you'll find is the Fords and Chryslers have some things in common. More than either group will admit, including even some parts interchangeability due to using the same vendors.

Swapping to the dual master is easy... All the firewall mounted MCs use the same bolt pattern. The problems start when guys buy kits that bolt a GM booster and MC in place. So any Mopar MC from '67 to the mid 70's will work. The brake swap is something I don't know about.... You may even want to consider keeping the drums too. They work pretty well IF they are set up right.

First though is to get a Factory Service Manual (FSM) Get a free download here: Service Manuals – MyMopar Parts manual might help too. Parts Manuals – MyMopar

Good luck with it!
 
The 1962 413 will not work with the 1961 transmission. You would need to use a 1962 or newer big block transmission for it to work. The bolt patterns are the same but the 61 motor has an extended crank with 8 bolts. The 62 motor has a shorter end on the crank with 6 bolts. If you already have the tranny with the motor it should work and hook up to the pushbuttons.

@Big_John :

...Swapping to the dual master is easy... All the firewall mounted MCs use the same bolt pattern. The problems start when guys buy kits that bolt a GM booster and MC in place. So any MC from '67 to the mid 70's will work. The brake swap is something I don't know about.... You may even want to consider keeping the drums too. They work pretty well IF they are set up right.

First though is to get a Factory Service Manual (FSM) Get a free download here: Service Manuals – MyMopar Parts manual might help too. Parts Manuals – MyMopar

Good luck with it!

See?? This is EXACTLY the helpful kind of info you'll find here. I love this place!!

Nice!
 
Welcome, nice wagon. Ask questions when they come up, some forward look folks on here.

Something else for you to know, your car is a short wheelbase, 122”. They also had long wheelbase, Saratoga, New Yorker and 300 at 126”. The front suspension parts and engine mounts are different. Along with the front fenders, hood and subframe.

The 1961 transmission is a cast iron torqueflight, model A488. The 1962 trans is a 727 torqueflight and the case is all aluminum. The parking brake cable is different from 61 to 62. So keep that in mind if swapping to a 1962 trans. I don’t know what the difference is. the push buttons and the cable will work in either trans.

The Forward look era ended in 1961, even though the 61 and 62 Chrysler’s are very similar the “Home of the Forward Look“ website doesn’t want 1962 ads placed there.

Check out this site also. Home of The Forward Look
 
Welcome! The raised block 413 should give your lady's car a nice power boost.
Also I've heard that it's hard to get parts to build a 361, especially if you want more power.
 
Thank you all for the excellent advice. 61 I have does not have power brakes it has a one Lung master cylinder bolted right to the firewall lol that’s why I want to improve that and the right front brakes since I replaced all the brakes and master cylinders likes to lock up going forward so I think I screwed up something in there.

No. The Custom 880 is still complete and still on the trailer, has the motor and tranny it was driven to where it was found 15 years ago and ran well then.
I only want to swap the motor because I have to pull the 360 one out it is a runner but the rear freeze plug behind the bell housing is rusted through so it won’t hold water and I’d rather have the extra torque of that 413 :)

I just took my dear mother to the casino and I’m replying from there so I can’t just scroll through and read everything and reply yes. But I will be back!

And as far as Thick skin goes I’ve been on auto forums since 2002 and can chew the fat with most anybody I’ve been restoring cars on and off since I was 18 years old and I’m 54 now, so there not much that ruffles my feathers, and I can take it

Back soon!

The 880’s name is the Mossburg
And Lurch is our baby in black❤️❤️

2D35742D-02F2-47BF-B43D-749715D873A7.jpeg


2FF650F0-6A59-4A74-AC6A-629035A9FB24.jpeg


F7069074-1B25-4441-9C4E-7A6E1EA74B54.jpeg
 
The 1962 413 will not work with the 1961 transmission. You would need to use a 1962 or newer big block transmission for it to work. The bolt patterns are the same but the 61 motor has an extended crank with 8 bolts. The 62 motor has a shorter end on the crank with 6 bolts. If you already have the tranny with the motor it should work and hook up to the pushbuttons.
So would a 1962 crank fit in a 1961 361 enabling the use of the 1962 transmission ?
Welcome FE , nice moustache .
 
I’m not bothered since I can swap engine and tranny. Both are push button, so they gotta be somewhat compatible mount wise and vacuum control wise for the one year difference. Either way I’m not stymied.

And that pic was about ten years ago, I’ve shaved it off and grown it back twice since I was that good looking, old and grizzled now like lurch
 
those front brakes on your 61 like to lock up if they have any fluid on the shoes, or any rust in the wheel cylinders. Common problem not considering the hoses. I doubt your lines have any effect on the locking brakes.

if you are sloppy with brake fluid on the backing plate when bleeding then it can get inside and on the shoes. Been there!

There are no vacuum controls on a Chrysler auto trans.

@Bucket yes you can swap a crank to the older block to swap the trans. If that’s what needs to be done, but he has a complete setup to swap.
 
Both trannys are push button drive, I can likely use the 62 trans no problem, but I’ll definitely be taking measurements and althe like ling before pulling either motor.

The brakes are brand new as are the wheel cylinders and I am 92% sure I did the flex lines also. I think I flubbed something in the brake adjustment cams. I will definitely look into it some day because I want to move it and the tires are brand new, hate her sitting like this.
 
Back
Top