n1gzd_plymouth

Hi, My 230 (from 52 Dodge 1/2 ton truck) is at the engine shop. The shop rejected my oil pan and oil pick up. Before I start looking for nice replacements I need some info. Are the pan and pickup the same for all 23 inch engines in this family? Does anyone have any. guidance on the compatibility if I find one that is for one of these engines (does it need to be from a certain 230 or are they all the same). Same question about the pickup. Will post a wanted after I understand what I am looking for. thanks, Rebecca

Mine must be 23" (because it fits in my plymouth as replacement for the original 201 23"). I will measure but it must be true. Rebecca

I think that my 230 is from 53 Dodge power wagon. This would mean that it is not set up for fluid drive right? it seems to fit my orig 3 speed. Will search for a spare. thanks for the tips. Rebecca

I see. It is marked std. but as noted, i my recent post we are giving up on any hacks and pulling the engine. Rebecca

I think that the issue is that the bearing is correct but the endcap was from other engine (needs line boring to this engine). Anyway, enough anomalies that we think that we wasted enough time. time to pull it. thanks for your comments.

It is standard. Time to pull the engine. Needs to be line bored to right size. Rebecca

Lets say that I decide that my 230 has to come out. What if I can make the car drive-able for now (have a little more fun) but in the meanwhile get another core and overhaul that so that i can make a quick swap. I have two questions: Are all 230 CI the same (mine is from 53 Dodge)? In other words, if I want to find another one do I care what vehicle it came from? Does it need to be a car engine? I assume yes. Are there any that are definitely different from mine that I just avoid (I have the 36 transmission). Is there anyone out there that sells these engines overhauled ready to go (I am under the impression that this is a very common engine because they were built for so many years)? Possibly I should just overhaul the one that I have but am thinking that there is some value in having a spare. Rebecca

Because I have too many projects and because I suspected that the oil leak issue on my 1936 Plymouth (with A 52 Dodge 230) is a can of worms I hired a good mechanic solve it for me. My suspicion was that I did not have a simple leaking rear main seal (leak was getting too large). Upon inspection he discovered that the previous owner added a copper shim at each side of the end-cap. He removed these shims and confirmed that without them it fits too tight. I think that this end cap is from another car (parts bin build?). Anyway, it appears that the leak is caused by the shim creating a gap in the seal fitment. He is going to check the fitment with some plastigage and get back to me (it could be adjusted depending on where it is too tight - one side or everywhere). If it cannot be made to fit without machine shop then we are done I and I pull the engine. Question: Has anyone ever discovered a hack to at least fix this temporarily (knowing that it needs to be fixed right later)? I have another question. Lets say that i did not have this end cap/bearing fitment issue and I just had a leaking rear main seal. It appears that it is just about impossible to change the top half of the seal with the engine in the car. If you remove the transmission and flywheel it would be easier but there is not a lot of clearance to get to the three bolts that hold in the upper seal. Even with these things out the crankshaft flange clearance and getting at the top bolt might still be hard. Here is my question: Do most people just change the bottom half because it is where most of the oil will leak (due to gravity) and wait to change the top half next time the engine is out? Thanks, Rebecca

yes my 36 has a 230 instead of the 201. Rebecca

nice car. thanks for the inspection tip. Rebecca

I look forward to seeing more pics. Rebecca

looks good. I like your shiny air cleaner cover. I have a pie pan top on mine. Rebecca

thanks. I will aim to keep the column cable shifter and no overdrive for now. I am still learning about this car and am assuming that the transmission and rear end are the same as my 36 (max highway speed about 50-55 MPH with no overdrive). Am I right about this? If I experiment with overdrive I was thinking of trying it in my 36 first and keep the 39 stock. Rebecca

don't forget that the engine will shake a little (need more clearance than appears then it is just sitting not running). Rebecca

very nice! Congratulations. Rebecca

I have a question about my car to anyone familiar with the cable shifter on the column. I am expecting this to be one of the more difficult parts of the car to restore and adjust correctly. Am I right to be expecting this. Is it reasonable that my backup plan can be to convert to a conventional floor shifter. I have not researched this yet but I am assuming that the transmission is the same 3 speed that is in other models that have a floor shifter. My priority is to get it to work as it was originally but I would like to know if my backup plan would work too. Rebecca

As far as I can see it is all original except for some minor repairs. Nothing missing or wrong as far as I can see. I have not inspected it carefully yet (it is half way home but I saw it last weekend when I took these photos). Rebecca

My 36. It has an early 50's Dodge truck 230.

Hi I have not posted in a while (but I am back). I just got another Plymouth (project). 1939 P8 business coupe. The previous owner had it since 1971 but for the past 22 years it was in his basement. Rebecca

congrats. nice find. Rebecca

Was that on Turner Classic Movies? I missed it but I would bet that my Father saw it, he watches it every night. I will see if I can rent it. Do you know about the internet car movie database: http://www.imcdb.org/ You can find what movies a particular car is in (viewers update it). This is what they list for Plymouth P2: http://www.imcdb.org/vehicles.php?make=Plymouth&model=P-2&modelMatch=2&modelInclChassis=on Rebecca

I see. I will let you know. If there is a way to bolt it to the manifold then there would be all kinds of ways to do this (including just fabricating something). I will let you know, thanks, for the offer. I am kind of squeamish about the idea of drilling any holes in that manifold (don't want to). Rebecca