wayfarerstranger Posted March 27, 2009 Report Posted March 27, 2009 I`VE GOT this old auto repair manual for the 1950`s and was checking out the motor sizes did not see a 218 listed at all ? dodges in 40 & 41 had 217`s then 230.2 and the horse power was about the same 102 103 and then went to 110 in 54 & 123 in 55 ...ply`s started with 201.3 then in 42 went to the 217.8 & went to 230`s in late 54 horse power in the 217.8 going from 95 97 100 in late 54 going 110 in 55 112 ... so why are they referred to as 218`s Quote
Young Ed Posted March 27, 2009 Report Posted March 27, 2009 The 217s got rounded up to 218 even. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted March 27, 2009 Report Posted March 27, 2009 most all engines got rounded up to the next number be it in CI or CC's Quote
B-Watson Posted March 28, 2009 Report Posted March 28, 2009 They used to call the 217.8-cid a "217" so there would be no confusion with the 25" block 218.1-cid block. The change to 218 was not done by Chrysler but by Mopar fans. Except me. I still refer to the 217.8 engine as a 217. I get confused easily. Bill Vancouver, BC Quote
Norm's Coupe Posted March 28, 2009 Report Posted March 28, 2009 They used to call the 217.8-cid a "217" so there would be no confusion with the 25" block 218.1-cid block.The change to 218 was not done by Chrysler but by Mopar fans. Except me. I still refer to the 217.8 engine as a 217. I get confused easily. Bill Vancouver, BC Well.........to confuse your answer a little more. Only the Canadian engines 218 engines had a 25 inch block. Here in the US, both the 218 (or 217) and the 230's shared the same block that is only 23" inches long. Quote
B-Watson Posted March 28, 2009 Report Posted March 28, 2009 Well.........to confuse your answer a little more. Only the Canadian engines 218 engines had a 25 inch block. Here in the US' date=' both the 218 (or 217) and the 230's shared the same block that is only 23" inches long.[/quote'] American-built Dodge Trucks used the 218.1-cid 25" block, and before 1938 Canadian-built Dodge cars used the 217.8-cid engine (engines were imporrted from Detroit before 1938). Another area of confusion is the 217.8 engine used on cars imported from the U.S. Convertibles were not built in Canada from 1937 through 1962 as well woodie wagons (1950 was the last year). Thus these models, if they used the '218' engine, used the 23" 217.8 flathead six while the Canadian-built sedans also used the '218', but this time the 25" 218.1 flathead six. Thus the reason for confusion. And probably why Chrysler referred to the 23" engine as a 217 and the 25" engine as a 218. Bill Vancouver, BC Quote
George NU Posted March 28, 2009 Report Posted March 28, 2009 I`VE GOT this old auto repair manual for the 1950`s and was checking out the motor sizes did not see a 218 listed at all ? dodges in 40 & 41 had 217`s then 230.2 and the horse power was about the same 102 103 and then went to 110 in 54 & 123 in 55 ...ply`s started with 201.3 then in 42 went to the 217.8 & went to 230`s in late 54 horse power in the 217.8 going from 95 97 100 in late 54 going 110 in 55 112 ... so why are they referred to as 218`s Hi ,The Engine WAS a 217.5 so the rounded it to 218. Nu Quote
pflaming Posted March 28, 2009 Report Posted March 28, 2009 All that said, how much more horsepower does the 25" engine have and how much does the 23" engine have? I have to make a choice this spring: rebuild my 23" or I can purchase a 'rebuilt' 25". What do I actually gain with the 25". Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted March 28, 2009 Report Posted March 28, 2009 according to what chassis you putting it in..the 25 is longer..and some chassis mods are necessary for the install for small chassis cars Quote
Don Coatney Posted March 28, 2009 Report Posted March 28, 2009 What do I actually gain with the 25". I gained bragging rights and that is a biggie:D Off the top of my head I dont recall any forum regulars whom have done what I did. Quote
RobertKB Posted March 29, 2009 Report Posted March 29, 2009 Come on up to Canada and buy a Plymouth P15 or better yet a Dodge D25 ready for, or already with the 25" engine. I have always liked the fact that all our engines are the same length. I have a 251 CID in my '48 Dodge D25coupe that came out of a 1955 Dodge 3-ton grain truck. I bolted it right in after I replaced one valve that was burnt. On this engine the exhaust and intake valves are the same size so she breathes easier and has lots of power. Quote
55 Fargo Posted March 29, 2009 Report Posted March 29, 2009 Come on up to Canada and buy a Plymouth P15 or better yet a Dodge D25 ready for, or already with the 25" engine. I have always liked the fact that all our engines are the same length. I have a 251 CID in my '48 Dodge D25coupe that came out of a 1955 Dodge 3-ton grain truck. I bolted it right in after I replaced one valve that was burnt. On this engine the exhaust and intake valves are the same size so she breathes easier and has lots of power. Robert, I will 2nd this, I have a 218, 25 inch engine, dry clutch, spd trans from a 51 Canadian Dodge. I also own a 228 from a 1955 Fargo 1/2 ton in good running form but with miles, and a seized 251. I also can get near by a 265 combine engine. When the day comes I need to replace my engine will go back to a bigger 251 or 265, they all have 8 bolt cranks too, so it should bolt right up to my clutch and trans no issues. I love these engines....Fred ps there built like brick sht houses Quote
Jerry Roberts Posted March 29, 2009 Report Posted March 29, 2009 There isn't much iron between the piston bores on a 23 " block , I would think that a 25 " block must have a better distance between the bores . Quote
pflaming Posted March 29, 2009 Report Posted March 29, 2009 I will put it in my '52 1/2 T Pilot-house. Will have to modify the front mounts all else seems to fit, but I still did not get an answer on the power difference. Seems it should be about 20% more powerful and that would be nice in the truck. Quote
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