D24 Project Started - P18 Block?

[Bryan]

Finally got my 48 Dodge home after sitting in my father's barn for 10 years.  Has original upholstery in great shape, light surface rust and some rust underneath. Working on rust areas to keep it from getting worse.  Questions I have, block has P18 star 206805 star on side.  Head # is 1311810-5 with a large "P" above it.  Read in "Reference" tab that they used Plymouth blocks to replace cracked or damaged blocks.  So is my engine a 218 or a 230? Think they just switched blocks?   Original registration card had motor # 610286.   Also can't find a paint number on the car.

[Mark D]

One of the wise sages here told me to pull the inspection plug on my engine, over the #6 cylinder and check the measurements of the cylinder at its low position. The resultant dimension will tell you if it’s a 230. And since I can’t remember which is which at the moment, I’ll leave that to the sages to specify below.

Edited October 28, 2017 by Mark D

[greg g]

4 3/8; 218, 4 5/8; 230..  It is possible to put 230 internals in a 218 block.  The question becomes did a fluid drive unit get put on a 218 crank as they have a 4 bolt flange not the eight bolt common to the 230. Mopar engineers thought the FD weight required more support than the Plymouth conventional clutch set up.

[Bryan]

I'll try pulling a plug and measuring the stroke...thanks! It has Fluid Drive.

[Conn47D24]

Nice interior!

Similar story here. Dad's garage 30 years! P-20 engine. 

better late than never, right?

Good luck

[knuckleharley]

I am loving the original woodgraining on the garnish moldings,and if the upholstery and door panels up front are as nice as the ones in the rear,you are already a BUNCH of time and money ahead of the game when it comes to having a nice car. Nothing is cheap these days,and that goes for both upholstery and chrome.