lizmcl527 Posted March 31, 2013 Report Posted March 31, 2013 Odd question here about a Canadian Dodge. I'm in the process of having the engine in my '41 Plodge overhauled, and in the midst of it I've noticed that I seem to have a D21 engine, based on the stamped engine number on the block, even though the car itself is a D20 -- the lower-echelon model with less chrome trim on the body, simpler interior, etc. I've got documentation on this car back to the original owner, and it's listed on all the documents as a D20 -- with a D21 engine. There doesn't seem to be any indication that the motor was ever replaced in the past, so this is the one it rolled out of the factory with. Was it common for this kind of a mismatch to occur? Is there any particular difference between a D20 and D21 engine? Thanx for any light that might be shed! (This is an engine, by the way, that I drove over 200 miles after a big chunk broke off one of the pistons -- with no ill effect other than using a lot of oil. I figured after that it had sort of earned a rebuild,) Quote
40phil41 Posted March 31, 2013 Report Posted March 31, 2013 A very interesting question! My '41 Canadian Dodge Kingsway Special is a D20 (registration and firewall plate) and also has a D21 engine (machined pad on block above generator location). What a coincidence (or not?). I was also of the opinion that there had been an engine change at some point. I have owned this car since 1973 and previous to that it was stored in a garage since 1956 when the original owner died. To make this even more confusing, I found a piece of carbon paper (remember that?) under the back carpet which states that the car is a D21! Perhaps our Canadian Dodge expert will comment on this topic? Phil Quote
49roadster Posted March 31, 2013 Report Posted March 31, 2013 I have a P17 Suburban with a P18 motor and a D29 Wayfarer with a D30 motor. The build sheet for both cars shows that the way they left the factory. Looks like the motors had the "high" end code for the year. And I don't know what I did to have this post underlined. 2 Quote
Young Ed Posted March 31, 2013 Report Posted March 31, 2013 Yes I've seen the same thing with 50-52 plymouths. Only p20 and p23 engines Quote
40phil41 Posted March 31, 2013 Report Posted March 31, 2013 I have a P17 Suburban with a P18 motor and a D29 Wayfarer with a D30 motor. The build sheet for both cars shows that the way they left the factory. Looks like the motors had the "high" end code for the year. And I don't know what I did to have this post underlined. Too bad that build sheets no longer exist for the Windsor built Dodges :-( Phil Quote
lizmcl527 Posted March 31, 2013 Author Report Posted March 31, 2013 Ah, that was going to be my next question -- very unfortunate. I do know that mine was probably a late-year build -- it was sold to the original purchaser by a dealer in Halifax in August of 1941, which leads me to suspect that maybe late in the year they weren't too careful about matching engines with bodies. Another question -- has anyone ever seen an original owners' manual for the D20-D21 series? The only '41 Dodge manuals I've ever seen are the D-19 type. Did the D20/D21 models get a Plymouth manual with a different cover, or was there something specifically produced for the Canadian models? Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted March 31, 2013 Report Posted March 31, 2013 the engines were numbered for the production year on the full size series..all engines had the one number..the short chassis engines were not separately designated..now this I have read somewhere..this I did not ear mark the source... Quote
40phil41 Posted March 31, 2013 Report Posted March 31, 2013 Another question -- has anyone ever seen an original owners' manual for the D20-D21 series? The only '41 Dodge manuals I've ever seen are the D-19 type. Did the D20/D21 models get a Plymouth manual with a different cover, or was there something specifically produced for the Canadian models? I have been looking for a D20 owner's manual for 40 years and have yet to even see a single one. So, I do not know if they existed or not. Phil Quote
TodFitch Posted March 31, 2013 Report Posted March 31, 2013 For US built Plymouths in the 1930s, the engine number prefix (model code) was typically that of the higher trim model even when installed in the lower trim model. Sounds like that was true for the Canadian Dodges too. Quote
40phil41 Posted March 31, 2013 Report Posted March 31, 2013 For US built Plymouths in the 1930s, the engine number prefix (model code) was typically that of the higher trim model even when installed in the lower trim model. Sounds like that was true for the Canadian Dodges too. Now that is very interesting and may very well explain what the factory did. Thanks for posting Tod. Phil. Quote
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