Major problem with a rebuild HELP !!!!

[laynrubber]

52 Cranbrook with a 3 speed

Took the disassembled engine into the machine shop last week to have the machining done for a rebuild.

He called me tonight and tells me NO parts are available for this engine........it is a 218 Canadian Version with a 3 3/8" bore and a 25 1/2" head, the block and crank castings i don't have but all his books show them to be Canadian versions.

SO NOW WHAT !!!!!!!!

His warehouse guy has called all over Canada and the states and no one apparently can supply these parts. I will try oldmoparts, Kanter and Vintage power wagons but it doesn't sound good.

He recommended if i wanted to stay with a flathead then try looking for a 251from a Combine he says those parts are available, what about fitting a 225 slant 6 ??

I am stumped

[Norm's Coupe]

I would say they didn't look very hard, or they don't know what they are doing. I would look for another shop. You can buy parts for the 218 in many places, including some of them from NAPA. About the only thing you may have trouble finding is possibly the crank or cam. However, if those aren't in bad shape, a good shop can grind them down to smooth them out so they don't need replacing.

[RobertKB]

Your guy has not looked too hard. I will give you a couple of places you can get the parts you need and if not they will know where to go. The Canadian 218 long block (25 1/2") was and is as common as mud. Try these places:

http://www.collectorsautosupply.com/

or Phone Rovon Auto Parts in Coquitlam, BC (604) 936-9312

[greg g]

Don't panic a 25 inch block is a 25 inch block.

So if those parts are available, put them in this block The blocks are all the same, there is plenty of meat for an overbore you should be able to make it a 251, unless I'm all wet. What parts are you going to need. Do you know what the diameter of the 251 pistons are, and what the rod length is?

American blocks retain teh same bore 218 to 230 and the difference was in the crank and rods for increased stroke.

in the long blocks the 236 Desoto was the same as the 251 except for bore and stroke, and the 265 was a stroked 251.

You should be able to make a Frankenmotor.

[PatS....]

I would think the source for combine parts would also have parts for your engine.

One of the things you learn very quickly with an old car is that some people hear old car and instantly say that you can't get parts. Well, maybe the local big box parts store doesn't carry them but parts ARE available, you just have to know where to look. If you don't know where to look, you ask.

You shortly become a very good detective, knowing who to ask what until you find the answer you're looking for.

I have a 251 crank if that will help.

[55 Fargo]

52 Cranbrook with a 3 speed

Took the disassembled engine into the machine shop last week to have the machining done for a rebuild.

He called me tonight and tells me NO parts are available for this engine........it is a 218 Canadian Version with a 3 3/8" bore and a 25 1/2" head, the block and crank castings i don't have but all his books show them to be Canadian versions.

SO NOW WHAT !!!!!!!!

His warehouse guy has called all over Canada and the states and no one apparently can supply these parts. I will try oldmoparts, Kanter and Vintage power wagons but it doesn't sound good.

He recommended if i wanted to stay with a flathead then try looking for a 251from a Combine he says those parts are available, what about fitting a 225 slant 6 ??

I am stumped

Whats this guy talking about, I quite sure Kanter has the 218 Canadian engine parts for 1 supplier.

Here is one Canadian supplier of Vintage Mopar Parts , new ,used,NOS, his name is Norm, Mid Canada Suspension, Winnipeg Manitoba, Ph 204-475-3399.

I can also get you a decent used engine froma combine, right in my area, it is either a 251 or 265, for $100.00, it's already out of the combine, you will need to pay freight or pick it up 20 miles north of Winnipeg................Fred

[55 Fargo]

Greg is correct, to make this engine a 251, you need the crank, pistons, rods, the bore is 3 7/16.

You can still use your same flywheel as all the 25 inch engines used the 8 bolt crank.

The Canadian 218 block is the same as the 228, 251, and 265 engines, Chrysler made these different displacements via bores/strokes.

[laynrubber]

Okay I'm a little calmer now, the heart rate has slowed.

Thanks for all the quick replies. The slant 6 isn't going to be an option, i read thru all my old searches and have been reminded this isn't a "bolt in" swap.

Monday i will call a couple places.

I need.......6 pistons and rings, maybe only a .030" overbore, couple journals to be turned, cam, crank and rod bearings, cam gear and chain, cam probably just a slight regrind (not too bad at all), 3 valve guides, and ofcourse a full gasket set.

He is a very capable machinist with some nice equipment but maybe he only knows what he knows for parts. He has a nice 33 Dodge coupe with an old hemi in it.

Okay.....phone calls on Monday

[55 Fargo]

Okay I'm a little calmer now, the heart rate has slowed.

Thanks for all the quick replies. The slant 6 isn't going to be an option, i read thru all my old searches and have been reminded this isn't a "bolt in" swap.

Monday i will call a couple places.

I need.......6 pistons and rings, maybe only a .030" overbore, couple journals to be turned, cam, crank and rod bearings, cam gear and chain, cam probably just a slight regrind (not too bad at all), 3 valve guides, and ofcourse a full gasket set.

He is a very capable machinist with some nice equipment but maybe he only knows what he knows for parts. He has a nice 33 Dodge coupe with an old hemi in it.

Okay.....phone calls on Monday

The gasket set is all the same for a 25 inch 218 or a 251, makes no difference. NAPA or Piston Ring will even have these.

I have another source in Winnipeg , who I know for a fact has a lot of engine parts for the flathead 6s, and they will be a lot cheaper than anyone else in Canada, they will be NOS however. PM me and I will dig up his phone number for you.............Fred