1962 Dodge Custom 880! Cracked Block? Will it Run? Will it Drive? MoPar Obsolete Automotive Starting

Рет қаралды 6,455

Күн бұрын

I was told this 1962 Dodge Custom 880 had a cracked block. I delve into the car and try and see if this is fact or fiction! Can this car run and drive again? Or is the engine kaput and in need of a replacement??
Let's get down to business!
--------------------------------------------------
See extra content, get early video releases and more on Patreon!
/ obsoleteautomotive
Follow along on Instagram:
/ obsoleteautomotive
Be sure to join the Facebook discussion group!
/ 225062327329537
---------------------------------------------------
Chapters:
00:00 - Will it Run?
00:17 - Introduction
01:17 - Cracked Block?
03:00 - Will it Start?
03:47 - Ignition Investigation
06:47 - Fixing the Points
08:47 - Coil Wiring
11:10 - Distributor Cap
14:11 - Will it Start (#2)?
16:22 - Will it Drive?
18:02 - Auxiliary Fuel Tank
21:06 - First Drive!
22:23 - Closing Statements
23:42 - No Smoke!
23:55 - Common Questions
24:55 - End Screen/Links

Пікірлер: 101

@warrenstephenson3611 4 ай бұрын

Virgil Exner would be happy. Sweet Ole Dodge

@soyounoat 4 ай бұрын

Seeing this car running as intended after 62 years (40+ years dormant) is impressive. Cars like this are the reason Chrysler nearly died in the 1970s. There were not enough repeat customers because owners could drive these older Dodge/Plymouth/Chrysler cars for decades of regular service. I had friends in the '80s and '90s that drove early '60s Darts with 300,000+ miles on them and going strong.

@bigblockjalopy 4 ай бұрын

I drive a 60 since 1988 with a 383. Untouched Block, never caused any Problems whatsoever. 370k miles, perfect oil pressure, No noises. Still goes 140+ easily.

@randy.388miller3 4 ай бұрын

I think someone was spiking Virgil Exner"s tea back in the day. LSD maybe? Seriously, love the car .Amazing original condition!

@danielulz1640 4 ай бұрын

Even though it was originally built out of, basically, leftover spare parts, I think that car is beautiful. I am so glad to see that you got it running, and so easily.

@1575murray 4 ай бұрын

The 1962 Custom 880 front grille was the same as the one on the 1961 Dart but the openings around the edge were left closed on the Custom 880. My grandfather's 1961 Dart Pioneer was in an accident and the body shop used a 1962 Custom 880 front grille as a replacement. I always wondered why that happened and now I know many years later. My grandfather drove the car until just before he passed away in March 1967 when the car was stolen from the lot where he parked it overnight. The NYPD found it a few days later suprisingly intact. This car looks like a Chrysler Newport with a 1961 Dodge Polara front end. Chrysler did this intentionally so that Dodge dealers would have a true full size car to sell for the 1962 model year. It was around this time that Virgil Exner got fired as Chrysler's chief styling engineer and was replaced by Elwood Engel who was hired away from Ford.

@danielulz1640 4 ай бұрын

Actually, it is a 61 Polara grille, basically the same as a Dart. It IS essentially a 62 Newport with a 61 Polara front clip. @@1575murray

@moparlarsson 4 ай бұрын

The ending shot with the cat! good enough for a poster with the hood closed! Look at the stance, and the 50's roof line. Cool car!

@randyhoepker5528 3 ай бұрын

As you know the 62 Dodge and Plymouths were not popular and sold poorly, but I like this 880. Though Exner got the blame for the styling, he was given wrong info from Chrysler’s president about Chevy downsizing all their cars and ordered to follow suit. Lol 😂 that was not true, but it threw the styling studio into a frenzy to come up with restyled cars in short order. This 880 sure had a lot of documentation and interesting things left in it. Being up in snow country, it was lucky to have survived and obviously had some pampering. Thanks for sharing it with us!

@rodgerbowen8723 Ай бұрын

Talk about nostalgia ... This was the exact car that my wife and I first owned in 1971 as a married couple in Los Angeles. Exterior color is the same but the seat cover upholstery in ours was a solid gold. I was driving a Volkswagen at the time and my mom and dad didn't like it. So, as a wedding present they had the local Dodge Chrysler dealer in Oceanside pull and rebuild the heads. The 361 became a nice running automobile and burned up the LA freeways. That was back in the day that you could buy gas for 20 cents a gallon. I had to really watch for the CHP sitting up on the on ramp and waiting for someone like me to zip down the freeway. I can't say that I really liked the car then, since I was more enamored with my wife and going to school. Today, however, I would probably buy it in a heart beat. Good luck getting it back up and running well.

@ObsoleteAutomotive Ай бұрын

That was a nice gift. How long did you have the car?

@rodgerbowen8723 Ай бұрын

@@ObsoleteAutomotive A couple of years at best. It was a large car in a very congested area that typically was filled with heavy traffic. Unfortunately I crunched its nose during rush hour in Westwood close to the UCLA campus. Since my wife and I were wanting to finish school, working and expecting the arrival of our oldest son in March 1973 we purchased a new 1972 Pinto Wagon as opposed to doing body work on the Dodge.

@rodgerbowen8723 Ай бұрын

@@ObsoleteAutomotive I also watched your cross country with the 1962 Plymouth Belvedere. That brought back memories too. My dad had a 1962 Dart with a slant six and automatic (dark blue) when I was in high school. He wouldn't let me touch it. I was relegated to my mother's 1960 Rambler Ambassador while at home.

@stephenholland5930 4 ай бұрын

Well done, Austin. That's a cool old (smoke-free) Dodge.

@todddenio3200 4 ай бұрын

Depending on the severity of the crack in a block or a head or even seepage from a head gasket as long as it's not getting in the oil, or a leaky radiator or heater core, a simple, cheap, effective and long lasting fix without replacing the component is to use EVAPORATED MILK. That's right... The same evaporated milk that you use in cooking or baking is the best coolant stop leak you can get. In fact it is the only thing that John Deere will allow you to use in their equipment that will not void the warranty... If it is good enough to not void the warranty on equipment that can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars it should be good enough for most cars. To use it, fill the cooling system most of the way but leave enough space to add in one or 2 cans of the evaporated milk. Leaving the radiator cap off, start the engine and let it run until the coolant starts to circulate then add in the evaporated milk, install the radiator cap and go for about a 15 to 20 minute drive but watch your engine temperature. Go home and let it cool, then check the coolant level. If it's low , top it off with more coolant and it should not lose any more coolant from that point on. It seals the leaks and lasts for as long as you keep that coolant in the engine which for some people is YEARS. I have even used it on a Chevy Suburban with a bad head gasket that would lose 2 gallons of coolant a day within a 50 mile drive and 3 years later it was still full and it doesn't plug up things that you don't want plugged. It will only plug LEAKS.The way it works is the evaporated milk mixes into the coolant and under pressure it seeps into the leak and when it reaches where the air is it cooks and solidifies and continues to fill in the leak until it builds it's way back to where the coolant is flowing and it can't build up in the coolant passages...it can only build up where it is in a small space such as a crack.

@edwardp3502 4 ай бұрын

If a ‘61 Dodge Seneca mated with a ‘62 Chrysler Newport, this is what the offspring would look like. Not sure what Chrysler was thinking in getting rid of the Dodge/Plymouth full size cars, but to their credit they got that Dodge-Chrysler (Dodger?) mashup out quick.

@williamgreer4087 4 ай бұрын

I stumbled across a 1960 Plymouth Fury yesterday at a show in the UK. Got chatting to the owner and it turns out it was one of yours! I never thought I'd see one of your cars over here.

@ObsoleteAutomotive 4 ай бұрын

He messaged me telling me the same thing! I’ve sold several cars to the UK. That yellow ‘60 Fury. A green ‘59 Plymouth wagon and a silver 1958 Plymouth Plaza “silver special” 4dr.

@samhicks97 3 ай бұрын

The saving grace for these C body/full size Chryslers was that nobody wanted gas guzzlers with the looming oil crisis smog 70's. (Not to say getting good MPG's is not impossible, i managed to get 17 to 20 MPG on my 880) Full size Chryslers were not exactly "nimble" so everyone flocked to the A bodies/B bodies. Good for us full size Chrysler fans, as most of them were left alone. So a lot of these cars are still mechanically sound. Fun fact: Except for the people who learned that the full size Chryslers were quite durable in demolition derbys. Hence why demolition derbys have banned Full size Chryslers from being used, they are just that tough. I've also got a 64' Dodge custom 880 with the 361, damn good motor, accompanied by the tough as nails TorqueFlite.

@1pelicanmarsh 4 ай бұрын

I started on your 73 Newport. I have always been a car person, altho I in no way have your abilities. my interest is limited to there cars, I cant repair. I find you so interesting in several levels....im 62 and in heavy therapy to get me from trying to live in the past. you being younger I find it so interesting that you are more focused on the past/obsoletion than even myself. MY experience w/ mopar (Chrysler) as my father was poached from the aerospace industry to go to Kokomo IN Chrysler transmission production as a metallurgical engineer. WE had the Chryslers from the early 60's into 81 when he left Chrysler. However we had the cars and company cars. im GROSSLY familiar with the newer cars (my memory of our cars started maybe about 1965 ending as last (relevant car we had were the full size NY'ers, as the imperial ended in 76. Dad left early 81 so we never had the followup imperial. Back to the topic im interested and admire how you take interest, seek, find, and repair the vintage cars. I myself work for American and on occasion am in Charlotte. had you been in clt I would likely try to meet up for a brief lunch or jsut for a short convo. Again thanks for your content and production....I very much admire you, your interests and abilities!

@ObsoleteAutomotive 4 ай бұрын

That’s pretty neat that your father worked for Chrysler back then. I bet it was fun getting the new company cars and seeing all the new styles and features. Thanks for watching and if our paths cross I’d gladly have a chat. I appreciate you commenting.

@1pelicanmarsh 4 ай бұрын

Back then ppl (our freinds) were pretty brand loyal, even model loyal. (this is likely hard for you to pix) but they typically had a "schedule" of when they traded. Every year or two was pretty common....here's why. The styles changed every year or two (think of any specific model) so it was exciting getting the new look/features. Here's a view from our experience w/ dad there. He could "green slip" a car for the discount lower than retail (non-negotiable plus 150 to dealer)....then he would get the order "marked" so that we got delivery like maybe 4 weeks ahead of what they really hit dealers. you always sold your old one as private party (sometimes same person followed you, buying your car each year. you did that EACH year b/c as you sold your previous one a few weeks ahead of hte new models, it was sort of sold as a "current model" and it was pretty close to a "wash" where you really weren't out much money. Now you couldnt jump from a dart to an imperial.....you kept it pretty much the same car. This way always in a current model. never buy tires, etc. @@ObsoleteAutomotive

@1pelicanmarsh 4 ай бұрын

as for the company cars, once we got some Toyota (around 79 or 80) and it was passed around tool research for diff ppl to drive it, then they brought it back in and tore (the transmission apart) to use as comparison. Toyota, Datsun not so popular then, also their quality was pretty inferior...and no sort of comfortable/lux models. strictly mpg

@paintnamer6403 3 ай бұрын

The metal Gumout can fall over and short out that battery and then a really exciting video of an explosion. But this is cool too, long may she run.

@jewishman2687 4 ай бұрын

To find the crack, get a big piece of dry cardboard, put it under the engine and run the car till it gets nice and hot. If there is a leak, it may not show up till the car gets hot and the coolant is under pressure.

@johnlewan1114 3 ай бұрын

Never leave home in a Dodge without a spare set of points! You've got a unique collectible there. I'd cruise a land yacht like that all day long. Really awesome channel, and you have a new subscriber.

@ObsoleteAutomotive 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching and subscribing!

@scrappy7571 3 ай бұрын

Love the sound of the starter. I remember back in the day when TV shows would dub in the sound of a car starting and they used a Chrysler sound on a GM. We all would laugh and say "thats not a GM starter"

@garymckee8857 4 ай бұрын

I would like to have another Custom 880. The 64 with a 361 was an excellent vehicle.

@ObsoleteAutomotive 4 ай бұрын

The 62-64 880s are great cars. They are underrated and not appreciated enough! I’ve enjoyed every one I’ve had.

@mikedearinger9390 4 ай бұрын

A real unique car. Front end of a 61 dodge and rear of a 1962 Chrysler. Looking forward to future reviews of this car.

@jewishman2687 4 ай бұрын

"Looking forward?" is that a pun?

@steves9905 4 ай бұрын

such a strange car...1/2 61 dodge and 1/2 62 Chrysler. But full of big block goodness. Fully endorse this effort.

@ObsoleteAutomotive 4 ай бұрын

It’s a unique part of MoPar history. I’ll have a full video on the car later. Going over all the facts and figures.

@DonKin-om7yr 3 ай бұрын

My Grandad had a 2 tone brown 62 880, 361 rectangular steering wheel push button drive LUV it

@jeffreyrigged 3 ай бұрын

I love the fact you do oddball cars. Mopar isnt my first choice usually. That said i love all old cars. The ones you work on are the ones I prefer to see though over the common charger road runner etc...

@Yourmission9 4 ай бұрын

Another great video! That old girls got some real estate on her. If you don’t drive it for a while you should rent it out as an AirBnB

@XGarage-nj2uf 4 ай бұрын

The grill emblem is the same as the spinner on the wheel cover.

@martindibb9529 Ай бұрын

Hi Austin. Just stumbled upon you channel. Gotta love those old gas guzzling Mopars. I purchased a 1963 Dodge Custom 880 two door hardtop in 2002. The car has been in Germany since 1988 but never registered in Germany until I bought it. Still own it and always will. Take care and keep up the enthusiasm. Greetings from Bavaria, Germany. Marty

@ObsoleteAutomotive Ай бұрын

I owned a 63 Custom 880 2dr coupe some years back. I drove it across the country 3000 miles after getting in roadworthy after it sat since 1979. It was a great car. The whole trip is documented on my Instagram highlights. It was quite the adventure.

@tomtbi 4 ай бұрын

She's a runner!!

@oliverw3646 4 ай бұрын

A beauty. Congrats Austin!

@79tazman 4 ай бұрын

Sometimes the crack won't leak until it's hot I had a 318 like that the coolant would not leak when cold but once it was hot it would run down the side of the block if you clean it real good you can JB weld the crack and will never have to worry about it again that's what I did to the 318 and the thing still in use today I was going to get my buddy to weld it but the JB weld worked so good I just left it and it's been 4 or 5 maybe even 6 years since I fixed it.

@danam0228 4 ай бұрын

The more I see this car, the more I like it. Happy for you to have found it, got it running. It sounds great. Hope you enjoy it

@THROTTLEPOWER 4 ай бұрын

Great vid, love the '62 👍👍

@tommygtr3571 22 күн бұрын

Gorgeous car!

@brockmorris1835 4 ай бұрын

Making it look easy 💪

@MichaelJustice-ng7by 4 ай бұрын

That's what I miss about hickory North Carolina look how nice the weather is

@domenicogaldo6065 4 ай бұрын

Austin, I would give this more than one like if I could. A great post. Thanx

@ObsoleteAutomotive 4 ай бұрын

Thanks! I appreciate the comment and like.

@arthurmccarron4379 4 ай бұрын

Lucky penny. Finds. Good. Luck. Thanks

@stevebyrne4235 3 ай бұрын

New to your channel, really great; ran a '61 Windsor that succumbed to rust beyond repair. Love these old Mopars, although, at the time, they were'nt particularly reliable; first hand experience. Still have ballast resistors in my toolbox. Thanks for your channel, very engaging.

@ObsoleteAutomotive 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching if and following along! Hope you enjoy the future videos!

@79tazman 4 ай бұрын

You need to let it run and get hot and keep a eye on the oil to see if any water is going in there but a good hot soak will get the engine running and should get all the lifters pumped up and rings free from sitting and the crack will show up if there is one once it's hot that is when cracks come to life not when the block is cold from sitting

@agviator 4 ай бұрын

Sweet

@MichaelJustice-ng7by 4 ай бұрын

I love your videos

@ObsoleteAutomotive 4 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@davidzdziarek-zl8cu 4 ай бұрын

Few of those remain today. They have never been upper crust collectible Mopars. Still, to own one might not be quite so boring, on account of it's not something you see every day

@ObsoleteAutomotive 4 ай бұрын

You definitely don’t see these cars too often! Not the most favored car to most but I really like them.

@marklevine-es2br 4 ай бұрын

Great video these cars are magnificent!!!! Have you ever had an Edsel or an old Rocket 88?

@ObsoleteAutomotive 4 ай бұрын

I’ve not owned either but I’ve worked on and driven both.

@tomtbi 4 ай бұрын

She sure sounds nice!!

@davidzdziarek-zl8cu 4 ай бұрын

The 63s are the klutziest looking of all four years. The 64s are the best looking. The '64:grille seems to owe more than a passing nod to that of the '63 Mercury

@r1lark 4 ай бұрын

Neat car, looks like it will be a great cruiser with a little preventative maintenance. That new distributor cap........never seen one made like that, kinda weird. 🙂

@ObsoleteAutomotive 4 ай бұрын

A few things and I bet I’ll have this car on the road no problem! Thanks for watching and commenting.

@turbinexman 3 ай бұрын

Didn't some police and sheriff departments, and some state trooper and highway patrol, use the Dodge 880, during the early to mid 1960's?

@ObsoleteAutomotive 3 ай бұрын

They did. Many departments required the 122” wheelbase that this car had.

@mr.b2107 4 ай бұрын

If the block actually has a visible crack, its probably one of those about 5inch long and thin, horizontal on the driver side of the block that doesn't hardly leak. You could raise the car and look. Otherwise its a very nice car.

@ObsoleteAutomotive 4 ай бұрын

I was not able to find one. And the car has zero leaks. I plan to look even closer but the fact the car was so messed up to where it would never run makes me question it all!

@ferrochinabisleri1587 4 ай бұрын

How many miles on the clock?

@bigblockjalopy 4 ай бұрын

I wonder why it cracked. It's a Low Deck Mopar BB, the sturdiest blocks in automobile history

@ObsoleteAutomotive 4 ай бұрын

It might not actually be cracked. I’ll have to look more closely and investigate to be certain. The car runs well.

@bigblockjalopy 4 ай бұрын

@@ObsoleteAutomotiveJust watched the 1rst part. You can adjust the trunk lid torsion bars to keep the lid open. There are 3 Slots on every side and from the factory it's in the middle position

@robertchahulski8044 4 ай бұрын

I would say the mechanic probably lied to the owner cause he was old and the mechanic wanted the car and figured the owner would just sell it.

@gilbertwashburn7095 4 ай бұрын

That runs nice always remember Jesus Chrysler drives the Dodge

@UQRXD 4 ай бұрын

Races engine that sat for years!!!

@ObsoleteAutomotive 4 ай бұрын

Unstick/seat the rings and make it stop smoking. Works every time.

@tyronebiggims1613 4 ай бұрын

Beasty Boys Sabatosh someone didnt want it to run.

@79tazman 4 ай бұрын

you telling me all those old cars and you don't have points and condenser kits laying around ? the cars I ever owned with points ignition you could open the glove box and find a new set of points and condenser and usually a set of good used points and condenser just in case. Those points looked to be cooked they had no contact pad on the arm they got burned off

@ObsoleteAutomotive 4 ай бұрын

Points were fine. Obviously. They were just bent and making no contact. The goal was to get the car running… not do a full tune up. Yes I have plenty of ignition components. I did have to get a new cap off the shelf.

@tomtbi 4 ай бұрын

And she's a driver too!!

@ObsoleteAutomotive 4 ай бұрын

After fixing the various issues under the hood the car was good to go!

@davidzdziarek-zl8cu 4 ай бұрын

Parts must be an issue given these cars vast scarcity.

@ObsoleteAutomotive 4 ай бұрын

Actually a lot interchanges but some specific parts to this car would be shed to come by. I’ll go over the interesting history and whatnot on this car in a future video.

@johnkendrick7304 4 ай бұрын

What's an absolute score! Kind of makes you feel bad for the guy that got lied to though. I think you're onto something about the mechanic. Certainly did not know his ass from a hole on the ground

@ObsoleteAutomotive 4 ай бұрын

It’s so odd how much stuff was just wrong on this car to where it couldn’t possibly start. Something fishy going on or maybe just someone didn’t know what they were doing.