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Flathead six identification


LMBoise

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So I am brand new to the forum. I am wrapping up a restoration on an MGB and am just starting to restore a 1948 B1B. A bit crazy going from a roadster to pickup, but I have always loved the old pickups. 

 

Anyway, the ‘48has a seized flathead six. Absent pulling it apart, I have done all the standard tricks to break it loose. Based on the Engine number it appears to be out of a Plymouth as the number begins with a P. I have located, for a reasonable cost another flathead six that runs and has good compression, but it has an engine number I cannot seem to track down   KDSb*IbI7I. The “b” could be a six, but the KD is totally throwing me off track. I attached a picture for reference. Does anyone know what this came out of? I am assuming it is a 218 

 

thanks 

86EC7123-0510-4C37-87C8-508B88AE54F3.jpeg

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'57 dodge 230.6

Lot of them used in taxi service

On January 10, 1957, the engine prefix on the six changed from "D72" to "KDS6", starting at number 9601. About that time DeSoto began building six cylinder DeSoto Firesweep sedans for use as taxis. 139 6-cylinder 1957 DeSoto Firesweep taxis were built.

Edited by mechresto
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Bit of a gray area there, but everything points to dodge....

Desoto used some dodge engines in 57 (they were the same) and some argue that the kds6 denoted desoto....but there's no concrete proof that I know of.

Kinda like splitting hairs...same engine possible different branding. 

In 57,58...corporate started calling the shots on engine design...the use of common parts...just as today...all in an effort to save a buck.

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Chrycoman
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nav-messages.gif Posted 2013-08-26 10:50 PM (#393555 - in reply to #393329) 
Subject: Re: KDS6*I6432*
 


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d500neil - 2013-08-25 4:43 PM 

That would be a 6 cylinder 1957 Dodge engine block. 

K: 1957 
D; Dodge 
S: Standard 
6: whatchagot 

16432: 15,432nd 6-banger cast (beginning with 1001) 
 


Actually, the S stands for DeSoto. The 1957 DeSoto Firesweep used Dodge's 325-cid V8 and the engine number prefix on the 1957 325 engine was KDS - 1957 Dodge DeSoto. 

When the 1957 model year began, the Dodge six cylinder engine number prefix was D72. But on January 11, 1957, the engine number prefix was changed to KDS6 at number 9601 when DeSoto began building six cylinder Firesweep 4dr sedans for the taxi market. The Firesweep six was not much of a success - total production hit 139 units. 
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This is great info. I will measure the block to confirm the size. Would a 230 fit in the ‘48 Pilothouse. I have the truck stored offsite, so will go measure to see if it fits, but thought I would ask to see what everyone thinks. 

 

Thanks for for the Help?

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Not 100% sure. I had a friend run a tape on it as I am storing at his shop and am out of town for a few days. I thought I read somewhere that the head bolt pattern on a 218 is  different than a 230, so I thought I would look into that a bit more. It does have the fluid drive, something I have never seen before. I got that pulled off and the engine up on a stand so I can start working on it. 

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Very easy way to tell a stock 23” from a stock 25” is by the intake/exhaust manifold(if still on the motor). The 25” motor has thru bolts and nuts that attach the intake to the exhaust manifold. The 23” motor has blind studs and nuts or bolts that attach into the intake manifold from the bottom of the exhaust manifold. 

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So the head does measure 23”. The block, if measured down low, by where the flywheel attaches is 25”. I am probably not measuring in the correct place for the block, probably screwing up terminology. Clearly where the head attaches it is 23”. Also, per Dozerman51, it is a 218 as there are no pass through bolts on the exhaust manifold where it attaches to the intake manifold.  I attached pics for reference. Just to confirm, I do plan on measuring the stroke as suggested. 

 

Thanks for all of the help.!

EDD9673C-FABF-40EA-9DE6-B0406772D58C.jpeg

45BF7E0F-4438-48E9-B63B-370DF2C61F43.jpeg

8CC71959-5CC1-458B-AFC6-69FE263AA8D0.jpeg

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