engine identification

[Guest trogdaddy]

i'm new here and this is my first post so please bear with me. i just bought a 48 ply. buisness coupe and want to install a bigger flathead. i think mine is original. how can i tell the differance between a 218 and a 230 without takin the engine a part? i want the biggest flathead 6 i can put in it without a whole lot of modification. if anyone can help i would sure appreciate the information. anyone goin to daytona show ?

[greg g]

On the engine block above the generator and just be low the head there is a cast flat spot. there is a number punched in there. The number should start with a "P 15" if the engine is original to the car. Not 100% sure but I believe Plymouth engines were 218 until 1954 (P24). So if it starts with a P15 it is likely a 217.8 (218). Also, the difference between a 218 and a 230 was the length of the stroke. On the cylinder head over number 6 cylinder is a square pipe plug. This is located directly above the piston. Removing this plug gives acces to the moving piston. Remove the plug and insert a piece of stif wire about 8 inches long. Remove the other plugs so you can turn the motor over by turning the fan, and measure the length of movement of the wire. This will give you a direc measurment of the stroke. (Some p15 engines may have had their cranks and rods changed yielding a 230 engine so the stroke measurement will confirme whether you rengine is a 218 or a 230. 3 3/8 = 218

3 5/8 = 230.

Oh yea and by the way welcome aboard!!!! Congratulations on your selection of MOPAR as your classic car. They are well engineeered, simple to repair (for the most part) and as reliable as dirt once in good running condition.

[Guest trogdaddy]

hey ,thanks for the information , and the welcome aboard. i think i'm gonna like this place.

[Brendan D25]

Welcome trogdaddy,you came to the right place to get info on your car,you'll find a good and helpful bunch here. Have you been to the main site of P15-D24? It has some good links which might help you.

[Don Coatney]

trogdaddy;

Welcome aboard. I installed a big block Desoto 255 CI engine in my P-15. Was not exactly a bolt in but I am glad I went through the pain to do so.

I have driven my car many miles on road trips and found it to be very dependable. For more pictures visit my Photobucket account and check out all the albums.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v65/DonCoatney/

[greg g]

Primer on MOPAR Flat head 6. Basically for cars there are 2 varients. The short (in length) block and the long block. Plymouth and Dodge used the short block. These are 23 1/2 inches long measured at the head. They came in displacements of 201, 218, and 230 from 1940 to 1959, when they were replaced by the veneralble slant 6 for the 1960 production year. These engines stayed in production till the early 70's for industrial, marine, agricultural, and stationary equipment use. So luckily for us parts are relatively easy to find. Chryslers, Desoto's and Canadian and export Plymouths and Dodges use the long block measuring 25 inches at the head. These came in various displacements including but not limited to 228, 251, and 265. There were also a couple of longer truck engines with displacements in the 300 to 400 range but these seem to be few and far between.

Putting a long block in a Plymouth will require some metal surgery. Most notably relocating the radiator to the front side of the support, and making some clearence in the front crossmember for vibration damper clearence. I see from your profile that you are a welder so neither of these mods should pose much of a problem for you should you choose to go the long block route.

Should you choose to you can make a 230 in a 218 block by swapping the crank and rods from a 230. Chrysler made it easy as all thes pieces just bolt in (perhaps wit a little grinding of block material for crank throw clearence) Check the member list for Blueskies and check out his website as he made a 230 this way. I have a 230 out of a 56 Plymouth in my car. It is massaged a bit with decked block, milled head, dual carbs etc.

Keep in touch with your questions, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the "the info source for pre and post war Mopar owners." There is a lot of information on the site that supports these forums.

Have a look around, ask any question you want to and enjoy your project.

[Guest trogdaddy]

thanks , i'm thinkin you are right !

Welcome trogdaddy,you came to the right place to get info on your car,you'll find a good and helpful bunch here. Have you been to the main site of P15-D24? It has some good links which might help you.

[Guest trogdaddy]

thanks , i think you may be right!

[Guest trogdaddy]

nice lookin motor , did you do the intake ? i really dont want to do any modifying mounts and stuff for the swap. i'll check out your other site. thanks a bunch.

[greg g]

Don C's motor is a Desoto longblock with Manifolds from George Asche. George is a MOPAR motor Guru from western PA. He rebuilds carbs, trannies, Overdrives, and makes dual exhaust conversions and dual and tripple intake conversions. His contact number is in the parts sources section of the main P15 D 24 site. My engine is a 56 Plymouth 230 witha Fenton intake and a couple of George's Carbs.

[martybose]

Be aware that while a 230 crank and rods will drop into a 218, they have different flywheel mounting hardware; the easiest thing to do is get the flywheel and hardware when you get the crank.

Here's a picture of the engine in my 47 Plymouth; a 50 Dodge 230 with Edmunds head and Edmunds intake manifold, topped with Langdon adapters and a pair of Langdon-supplied 2 barrel Weber carbs.

Marty

[greg g]

Hey Marty, nice looking block color, looks familiar.

[Olddaddy]

I'm also in the Orlando area and have a variety of 218/230 engines and parts in my shop. I can help you out with anything you need as far as info, parts, etc. I can also hook you up with the best machine shop in the southeast for building flatheads. Old time hotrod and racing guy who worked on them back when they were new and tearing up the race tracks. I've used his services to build six 230s in the past year. Email me directly and I'll give you my phone info.

[greg g]

My vote is you give Charlie a lookup, he has been on the board for a good long time, check his website. Charlie is good people in my book.

[Chester Brzostowski]

Welcome Trogdaddy,

I see by your profile that you are a welder. Great to have you aboard.

Could use help with welding questions. None at the moment.., but stay tuned.

Chet... 48 P15 SpD & 28 Modal U

[Guest trogdaddy]

Welcome Trogdaddy,

I see by your profile that you are a welder. Great to have you aboard.

Could use help with welding questions. None at the moment.., but stay tuned.

Chet... 48 P15 SpD & 28 Modal U

if i can help with your questions about welding i will be glad to !