Largest Flathead to fit

[Cpt.Fred]

a friend of mine is coming over to the US from Berlin and we plan to get a large box for shipping, so along with other parts i REALLY need, i was thinking of buying a larger engine for a much faster future with the P-10...

now i already know that the chrysler/desoto blocks are about 25" and the dodge/plymouth blocks are only 23" or so, but what would be the largest l-head fitting into my car without changing anything on the body? if i am not mistaken, i have a 201cui with 84hp in there right now.

i don't want to change the original motor because its a matching number car with 78000miles, but then again i'd like to have a deuce intake and split headers and a finned aluminium head and... you know what i mean:)

maybe you have photos, too?

[Andydodge]

Fred, the 25" block will fit into the plymouth as far as I can work out by moving the radiator forward, the mounts are the same, just further forward.......but you mention the hop up bits you want......I have a 23" 201 cube engine in my 1941 P11 and have a 23' 230 cube engine I'm going to bolt in its place.....I have an Edgy Finned head, Offy twin carb intake and Tom Langdon makes the cast iron "Fenton" headers........all for the 23" engine.......I would have stuck a 25" 250 cube engine in it but as its RHD the longer engine hits the steering box on the oil pump, if your car is still left hand drive you won't have that problem and the Fenton headers will clear the steering also.......hop up parts are easier to find i think for the 23" engine also......andyd

[Cpt.Fred]

yes, that's what i heard. offy and fenton didn't produce any deuce intakes and headers for those 25ers, so i've been told.

sad though, because there is a 230 chrysler engine with everything still on it and turning for a small buck just around the corner here... guess i'll stay with the ply blocks first, i don't want to chnange too much on the car.

[BobT-47P15]

Has anyone ever considered sending their ol flathead to a "racing engine"

shop?? We have one or two places here that build racing engines....but

I don't know just which kind of race cars they go in. Stock cars, or drag

cars or what......?

I've considered stopping in one of them to discuss what they could do for

my engine. Don't know what parts they have access to.....and wonder if

they could build either a split manifold or headers.....intake, or what.

Probably could balance it. Might be interesting to see what they say.

Just a thought.

[1940plymouth]

Cpt. Fred.

Would it be possible for you to post some photos of your P-10

Thanks,

Bob

[greg g]

Supose you could cram a 308 hudson twin power in there.....

[Cpt.Fred]

sure, here are some pics:

[Cpt.Fred]

the inside looks completely wrecked on the photos, but is actually quite good.

there are water stains everywhere, but the seat upholstery was covered all the years and is in a great condition. carpet is good as well. i'll try to rescue as much as possible, i want to keep the car like it is. except the hp... and i will lower it a little. it looks like we say here "a stork in the salad".

[1940plymouth]

Thanks for posting the photos, she is in darn good condition compared to my '40 when we got it over twenty years ago.

Bob

[grey beard]

I have seen tractor pullers take Case engines from the thirties - model C's - that were only four cylinders weith long stokes but which had overhead valves - and build them to turn more than 4,000 rpms. These engines had babbited rods and mains. Can you imagine that? This was achieved by careful balancing and blueprinting by he builders. Of course they tricked up cams and intakes, etc.,but this goes to show what is possigle with any engine if you really want to push the envelope. I'll bet that just a good balance job on the lower end and a high cfm carb along with a competetive cam and stronger sprins could make one of our flatties turn 4,000 too. I magine that torque curve!

On a different subject, have any of you heard that Crane Cams has folded and clsoed their doors in the past few weeks. Company may be bought out by someone else, but all 120 employees were let go. Sounds ominous for the go-faster hobby, what?

[T120]

That's an interesting looking item on the windshield divider.I'm guessing a compass.Are there any markings on it as to manufacturer?

[Cpt.Fred]

you're right, thats a compass. completely dry, unfortunately... i'll have a look at the marks next time.

found a closeup:

no signals, no mirrors... but a compass and the antenna can't be unfolded in the garage completely because it's about 4 meters long. that ride's a boat i tell you:D

[T120]

..Thanks for the closeup view.I hadn't seen one quite the same

[T120]

I had a closer look at your photo and it appears Hull is the manufacturer.It's a nice period item for your car.

[aero3113]

You can take that compass apart clean it and fill with I think mineral spirits and it should look and work like new.

[T120]

...good to know they're repairable

[Don Coatney]

I'll bet that just a good balance job on the lower end and a high cfm carb along with a competetive cam and stronger sprins could make one of our flatties turn 4,000 too. I magine that torque curve!

Dave;

I have spun my engine in excess of 4 grand several times. When I was taken for a ride by George Asche in his 29 Desoto powered by a 265 CI flathead he cranked his engine past 5 grand a couple of times. My friend Mark Hudson has a Mopar powered "Custom" pulling tractor and he has spun his engine past 6 grand several times.

[Cpt.Fred]

sounds nice... now i only have to find the money for building something like that.

nice tip with the compass, thanks! i will try for sure, it's a real crowd pleaser here because most people look silly when i tell them my car has navi.

[blueskies]

Dave;

I have spun my engine in excess of 4 grand several times.

Haven't gone over that though.

Pete

[Niel Hoback]

I kinda think that the compass is filled with glycerin, not mineral spirits or any kind of petroleum based liquid since they would eat the plastic. Better check with someone that knows.

[greg g]

I believe Neil is correct. Mineral spirits work for levels but I believe the water for the compass rose is glycerin. You should be able to find it in small quantities at the drug stor or at places that sell soap making supplies for crafters.

You could also make it throughthe cracking process involved in bio diesel production, if you wanted to strain, catalize, heat and agitate some used fryer oil......

the compass rose reference comes from nautical rookies aboard ship. Young helms men would be sent by the oficer of the deck to go tot he galley and get a gallon of water for the compass rose (that part of the compass which floats around to indicate magnetic north.) Failing that they would then be sent to the engine room for a bucket of dry steam. Thus their humiliation due the rest of the crew laughing at their nievitee pay their dues for joining the bridge crew.

[Young Ed]

I'd be tempted to manufacture it by smashing open a couple of cheapie modern compass's