Editor’s Note: Over the next few weeks, OnAllCylinders will profile engines and engine builds by everyday high performance enthusiasts—hot rod hobbyists with DIY work ethics and real-world budgets.
Jim Hoover bought his 1967 Plymouth Satellite from a woman in Texas liquidating her father’s estate. While we question her judgment, Hoover was pleased with the Mopar’s condition, calling it a “really solid, typical Texas car.”
After being shipped from Texas to Ohio, Hoover fixed a small dent in the passenger front fender around the wheel opening then painted the car with single-stage white paint to “keep it old-school looking.”
“I appreciate the less-glossy finish of the old single-stage paints from the 60s,” he said.
The car came with the original factory three-speed manual transmission.
“I was going to put a four-speed in it since the pedals and everything were already there, but I ended up building a 727 Torqueflite with a manual Cheetah valve body ‘reverse pattern’ so the wife could drive it too,” he said.
This 440-powered Satellite runs mid-10s in the quarter mile, so this Mopar is not to be trifled with. Hoover is installing a cage this summer to comply with track safety standards.
“RULES!” he laughs in mocked disappointment.
You don’t see many Satellites running around these days. It’s a joy to see this one. Thanks for sharing, Jim.
Engine Specs
Engine Block: Chrysler 440 bored .030-inch over stock
Rotating Assembly: Standard stroke steel crankshaft, SCAT H-Beam connecting rods, Sealed Power Speed-Pro forged aluminum dome pistons
Cylinder Heads: Edelbrock Victor, Fel-Pro head gaskets (.040-inch compressed thickness)
Cam and Valvetrain: Mopar Performance mechanical camshaft solid flat tappet (.590-inch lift, 265-degree duration), 1.6:1-ratio offset roller rockers, 2.25-inch intake/ 1.81-inch exhaust valves
Induction: Holley double pumper 850 cfm carburetor, Edelbrock Victor intake manifold 4150
Ignition and Electrical: Mallory ignition, MSD ignition coil, Autolite spark plugs
Exhaust: TTi Performance with two-inch primary headers and stainless steel H-pipe back to the rear axle
Transmission: 727 Torqueflite with a Turbo Action Cheetah reverse pattern manual valve body
The suspension is all new Mopar Performance S/S springs and hangers and light torsion bars up front.
The trans has an aftermarket JW Bellhousing that I installed. I snapped the first trans in half through the stock bellhousing on a hard run, so I wasn’t about to let that happen again,,,”To expensive & a bit scary”! Something discerning about chopping off the front of a new transmission with a cut off wheel/grinder, but the JW unit is so much nicer! I practiced the cut on the remains of the first trans before tackling the good one though… Rear end is 8.75″ Mopar Sure Grip with 4.10:1 ratio…
Nice looking car! Can I ask what rim manufacturer and sizes you’re running?
Weld racing, I don’t remember all the dimensions. I’ll check it out for you though…. I THINK the rears were 15X10; 4.5″ backspacing. The fronts are 15″ as well, but I’m not sure on the other specs…. They have front runner Hoosiers on, so I think they were 5″ wide….
I’m not trying to be smart by no means I am a honest racer by heart I don’t see what’s so good about the full 40 there’s so much more that could be improved for it just a small amount of money I’m not cutting his engine down by no means but there’s more bang for the buck to be had in my opinion