Spitfire Head

[Don Coatney]

Almost ready to install

From this...

to this...

to this...

to this...

[greg g]

Pretty!!! But what does the business side look like??? Didja mill it?

Are ya fooling with yer new carbs yet??

[Plymouthy Adams]

Definitely a different looking head than I saw while in the 'boro couple weeks back. Looking sharp...

[Don Coatney]

Pretty!!! But what does the business side look like??? Didja mill it?

Are ya fooling with yer new carbs yet??

Greg;

Bidness side has had a .030" haircut. I still have some work to do on this side. The carburetors are still mocked up on my "log" manifold. I will do the carburetors and head at the same time.

I pulled a Welsh plug from my inventory and was going to install it until I discovered the 1 5/8" plug is too big. The hole bore measures 1 3/8" so I need to go buy a new plug.

[Rodney Bullock]

Don, nice work. Question, did they make a spitfire head for 217 plymouth motors or is this for the "big block" sixes? Will you be able to port that head to get a better flow out of it or is that just for v8 motors? I kno milling brings the piston closer to the top for a little more compression and with a thin head gasket you can bump up a point or half:D See I have been listening to the machnist that has been working on my stude motor, I am trying to get some nice power out of that little 289

[Don Coatney]

Don, nice work. Question, did they make a spitfire head for 217 plymouth motors or is this for the "big block" sixes? Will you be able to port that head to get a better flow out of it or is that just for v8 motors? I kno milling brings the piston closer to the top for a little more compression and with a thin head gasket you can bump up a point or half:D See I have been listening to the machnist that has been working on my stude motor, I am trying to get some nice power out of that little 289

Rodney;

The "SPITFIRE" head was a Crashler long block only thing. Even the long block Desoto engines did not come from the factory with this head. But the "SPITFIRE" logo is just that. Only logo. No differences in this head and my original head.

There is nothing to "port" in a flathead as the ports are in the block. Milling the head does not in any way alter the relationship of the piston to the head. What it does do is reduce the volume of the combustion chamber in the head.

[Ed Griffin]

Don, back when I was selling that 1947? COE Dodge 1 1/2 ton fire truck for a friend on ebay the truck had a "Spitfire" head as well as the bigblock engine. The motor was setup with a different manifold, updraft?, as well. Maybe Chrysler cars were the only one who used the Spitfire head but it's very possible the COE trucks had them as well.

[Don Coatney]

Don, back when I was selling that 1947? COE Dodge 1 1/2 ton fire truck for a friend on ebay the truck had a "Spitfire" head as well as the bigblock engine. The motor was setup with a different manifold, updraft?, as well. Maybe Chrysler cars were the only one who used the Spitfire head but it's very possible the COE trucks had them as well.

Fast Eddie Spaghetti;

Hope you are doing well! Would like to connect with you before the summer is over.

It is possible the Dodge trucks had this head but my guess is they were an aftermarket "plant" same as my head will soon be. Hopefully the brain trust that surf this forum will intervien with some known facts.

[Roadkingcoupe]

I have a SPITFIRE head that will go on my 41 Cdn Dodge coupe (25" block) along with an original Chrysler/Desoto EDMUNDS dual carb manifold (also for the 25" block). The Spitfire head came off of 1946-1948 Chrysler and it had the reverse paint job SILVER paint with red letters. I have never heard of the SPITFIRE coming straight from Chrysler Corp on any Dodge Desoto or Plymouth. In addition some of the larger Dodge trucks got the ORIGINAL dual carb manifold. Now thats a nice part to find on a junk yard tour.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I believe the 331 six was known for the twin carbs..but the big 413 six was a single carb

[Olddaddy]

I have had a 265, a 331, and a 413 engine, all with factory dual carbs and dual exhausts. They are very cool, but not too common and heavy as a pile of lead.

[55 Fargo]

Don, it's amazing what a little elbow grease and paint can accomplish, looks great. Was thinking of painting my engine in car, any advice on how to do it, I apinted it once before but want to change the color and the previous paint didn't hold up very well

[mackster]

Don Nice job! This is the high temp paint right? did you touch up the letters too wit hhigh temp? either way looks real cool! Mack G.

[blueskies]

So, lemme make sure I under stand correctly...

The Spit-fire head is little more than Blow'n-smoke ?

As long as you look fast, Don, LOL

When are you heading west in your jalopy for a re-match of the BIG RACE?

Your arch race rival,

Pete

[Suddensix]

What were the 331 and 413 c.i. sixes used in? Are there any specs on these on the web? I had no idea they made these engines that big.

[Young Ed]

Those are big truck engines. Think like 3ton units.

[Dodgeb4ya]

After late 1951, till 1953 all 306/331/377 and 413 engines had twin carbs and dual exhaust. The 413 continued till 1956 in the Y series 4 tonner W/ twin carbs.The B3-4 RS series 2-3/4 ton (school bus) were single carb W/3" single header exhaust. I have several of these Heavy, 2-3/4 to 4 ton series trucks, also 1-tons to 2-1/2 tonners. If it`s big and heavy I`ve got to have it!

Bob

[Plymouthy Adams]

My book made referrance toa 370 something cube engine but was not sure of its existance..and could be also the reason for the entry that the 413 came only in single carb configuration...like most sources...not an all-in-all book anywhere...they did make comment to the 413's super torque...these have to be awesome engines...

[Don Coatney]

So, lemme make sure I under stand correctly...

The Spit-fire head is little more than Blow'n-smoke ?

As long as you look fast, Don, LOL

When are you heading west in your jalopy for a re-match of the BIG RACE?

Your arch race rival,

Pete

Now Pete if I wanted to look fast I would have one of them there aluminum heads. But I want to go fast so I went the SPITFIRE route.

Sounds like you had a great time at Bonneville. Might have to schedule the re-match there in the next few years.

[blueskies]

Now Pete if I wanted to look fast I would have one of them there aluminum heads. But I want to go fast so I went the SPITFIRE route.

Sounds like you had a great time at Bonneville. Might have to schedule the re-match there in the next few years.

Ah, but there's more under the EDGY head than bling... It doesn't need lightning bolts...

Here's a better image of your poster for the net, sans flash reflection...

I'll have to make up the Salty version for the REMATCH.

Pete

[Guest rockabillybassman]

Ooooh! Ther's some cutting edge debate coming our way now!

[Dodgeb4ya]

All 413`s came with twin carbs as did the 4 ton 377 ci. The 377 was the engine for the 4 ton trucks 1950 to 1952 then in 53 the 413 "B4Y" was was introduced W/ a new bigger crank and modified block w/hydraulic lifters. My 1951 377 "B3Y" has hydraulic lifters too.Early 40`s to 1950 All these big-7 main bearing engines were single carb, single exhaust engines unless an "Ellis" after market intake was put on to up the power. When I figure it out I`ll upload some pics of these trucks and engines I have!

Bob

[Tony_Urwin]

That would be great! I, for one, would love to hear more about the big motors of this era.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I would very much like to see the 413 for sure...sounds like a heck of a power maker for sure...