Core engine for rebuild

[Jeff Balazs]

Hey Guys;

There is a Plymouth engine I may look at picking up to rebuild for use in my truck.

Serial # P26 191993 What can you tell me about this as a candidate. I assume it is a 230......made in 1955. It is complete and looks in decent shape. Comes with an automatic transmission which I have been told is a 3 speed? It does have the parking brake at the back of the housing.

I am not at all familiar with these trannies.

 

Thanks, Jeff

[Young Ed]

Yes that should be a 230 and the auto should be a 2 speed air cooled powerflite

[Jeff Balazs]

The seller say's this is a 3 speed automatic. Is this possible given the vintage?

 

Jeff

[Young Ed]

The seller say's this is a 3 speed automatic. Is this possible given the vintage?

 

Jeff

If it all came out of a 56 I don't think so. The 3 speed came out a little bit later. Also keep in mind this wouldn't have a park position yet. However I believe the parts that allow the powerflite to attach would also allow a more modern 3spd to bolt to that flathead.

[Jeff Balazs]

If it all came out of a 56 I don't think so. The 3 speed came out a little bit later. Also keep in mind this wouldn't have a park position yet. However I believe the parts that allow the powerflite to attach would also allow a more modern 3spd to bolt to that flathead.

Thanks Ed;

I really don't know much about the mopar cars of this period hence the question. The transmission he has for it does have the parking brake tail piece. Did any of the later 3 speeds have this?

The engine by itself looks to be a good deal ......has all it's stuff and if it turns freely I may go get it. Not a rust bucket like some I have seen. Not sure if the transmission is of any use in a truck but if it were a 3 speed model I might consider looking more closely at a swap in.

 

Jeff

[wallytoo]

Not sure if the transmission is of any use in a truck but if it were a 3 speed model I might consider looking more closely at a swap in.

 

Jeff

 

no kidding.  if it has all the parts, it would sure be worth taking a look at.  you could even potentially swap the BH/trans/driveshaft to your known decent motor, and test it out.  if it doesn't work, you'd still have your original driveline with no mods.

 

edit, obviously the driveshaft won't work - from a car.  duh.

Edited March 1, 2016 by wallytoo

[Jeff Balazs]

Here are a few images of what the seller has.

 

Jeff

[52b3b Joe]

Thanks Ed;

I really don't know much about the mopar cars of this period hence the question. The transmission he has for it does have the parking brake tail piece. Did any of the later 3 speeds have this?

The engine by itself looks to be a good deal ......has all it's stuff and if it turns freely I may go get it. Not a rust bucket like some I have seen. Not sure if the transmission is of any use in a truck but if it were a 3 speed model I might consider looking more closely at a swap in.

 

Jeff

 

Yes, the 3 speeds had drum parking brakes on them early on I believe. I know our 60 DeSoto had that. It has a 3 speed torque flight. 

[Plymouthy Adams]

the 54 Powerflite also has a drum parking brake mounted on the tail housing.

[Jeff Balazs]

the 54 Powerflite also has a drum parking brake mounted on the tail housing.

Can you tell from these photos if that transmission has any chance of being a 3 speed torqueflite ?

It doesn't seem likely.......but what do I know.

 

Jeff

[Plymouthy Adams]

would it not be just as simple to check the detents on the shifter lever?

[Jeff Balazs]

It would if it were nearby. I was hoping to save a 3 or 4 hour trip if someone here knew what the transmission was by the photo. Or maybe the housings look the same for a torqueflite versus a powerflite ? As I said I know very little about these.

Jeff

[Plymouthy Adams]

I have never seen the transmission out of my car...it is a 54, not even enough miles on it from new to warrant an oil change...so unfortunately I could only try to look at pictures on the internet same as yourself for identification....talk to the man..surely he can move the lever all the way in one direct and count the detents of the shifter lever for you.

[Dodgeb4ya]

Can you tell from these photos if that transmission has any chance of being a 3 speed torqueflite ?

It doesn't seem likely.......but what do I know.

 

Jeff

It's not a 3 speed Torqueflite. Torqueflites also have the rear E-brake on the tail housing

That's a 2 speed Powerflite shown with the 230..

[Jeff Balazs]

Thank you that helps.

Jeff

[Jeff Balazs]

So as far as this engine goes as a candidate for rebuild is there any particular differences between it and my 54 T342 engine I should be aware of?

I know the oil pan will need to be swapped. Is there any other significant differences? I will most likely add split exhaust and better carburation. Probably raise the compression slightly too. It is my intention to keep all the bolt on stuff matched so it can be transferred to the spare engine when the time comes.

 

I had as part of my original plan always thought I would get a spare engine and rebuild it. Then the one I pull out could be reconditioned as a spare and swapped bak in when needed. I am not a collector but I will keep this truck and use it daily until I keel over. So a spare engine is a good back up to keep it on the road for the duration.

 

Jeff