ebruns1 Posted January 3, 2018 Report Posted January 3, 2018 Hey Fellas Happy New Year! Planning my resto project and looking at engine options...there's a 1951 Dodge engine and trans for sale nearby. What are the chances that it would slide right into the existing engine mounts on my 1947 Chrysler Windsor Club Coupe? Why am I asking? My 1947 needs an engine and was debating going with a 350 sbc or some other more modern engine and trans. This will not be a hot rod, just looking for a reliable solid engine and trans that will fit in easily (the easier, the better, ha!). I'd entertain all suggestions from anyone with experience doing a swap out, either MOPAR or non-MOPAR. Thanks for any input! Quote
Andydodge Posted January 3, 2018 Report Posted January 3, 2018 Anything is feasible but I'd be taking a tape measure and measuring the gearbox/bellhousing mount to front engine mount distance on the Dodge engine/trans then comparing it to your Chrysler which should have the longer engine............the Chrysler should be a Fluid Drive the length of which may or may not confuse the issue tho'............if you want to put a later V8 then I suppose a Mopar LA 318/360 would be a good choice but would also entail changing the rear axle to get a parking brake setup as the stock mopar one is on the gearbox on either Chrysler or Dodge.............a SBC install if done in a sanitary manner is also doable but the V8 Mopar engines will get you more Brownie points...........lol.......probably more brownie points than putting the smaller Dodge 6 engine in actually................it would be interesting to see the comparison between the engine trans measurements anyway as probably a few people have thought about doing this swap...........regards, andyd Quote
MarcDeSoto Posted January 3, 2018 Report Posted January 3, 2018 i believe the Dodge block is a couple of inches shorter than the Chrysler 6 block, which is 250 cu. in. The Dodge block is the length of the Plymouth block. Quote
55 Fargo Posted January 3, 2018 Report Posted January 3, 2018 (edited) Replacing a 230 Dodge engine with a 250 has been done. But going to a 228 or 230 over a 250 or 265 nah that's passe. Counterproductive a 230 is a good engine is fine but it aint a 250 or 265. Stick with a 250. The 230 can make power but making the changes to swap over a 250 nah... Edited January 3, 2018 by 55 Fargo Spitfire Quote
ebruns1 Posted January 3, 2018 Author Report Posted January 3, 2018 Great input guys! Unfortunately it's not going to be easy to do any measuring to compare differences as the Dodge engine and tranny is more than 2 hours away and it is still in the car. And of course, the problem is not only what I want to do...but what I can find locally and within my budget. Hell, if I had the money I might put an electric Tesla motor and battery in it just for kicks! I guess I'll keep searching for a decent Chrysler 250 flatty. The thought with the Dodge engine swap was that it was from a running car and included the fluid drive transmission as well. I didn't realize they were different size/displacement engines. Was the Desoto engine a 250 like the Chrysler flat 6? Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted January 3, 2018 Report Posted January 3, 2018 The transmission is different in the 50 Dodge compared to the 47 Chrysler too. Quote
Andydodge Posted January 4, 2018 Report Posted January 4, 2018 The DeSoto engine is from the same 25" long family as the Chrysler but will be a slightly smaller capacity and less power, am not sure whether its just the bore and/or stroke difference but should be a better fit at least than the physically shorter Dodge/Plymouth 23" engine...........andyd Quote
desoto1939 Posted January 4, 2018 Report Posted January 4, 2018 yes the bore and stroke are different in the desoto vs the chrysler egine, both are 25 inchblocks. So it should fit. So what is wrong with your current engine. Also figure the cost of the replacement engine vs having your rebuilt. So tell us what is the problem with you current engine it might be cheaper to fix yours than try to find a replacement and the time and cost jsut to get a replacement engine. Also you should hear and see the engine running prior to buying an replacement engine especially if it is used and out of a car you do not want to get a bad engine again. Just my thoughts. rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com Quote
ebruns1 Posted January 4, 2018 Author Report Posted January 4, 2018 (edited) So what about this swap...1950 Chrysler Windsor engine and trans to my 1947 Windsor? Would that be a simple bolt in swap over? Oh, and to answer the question about the current engine...locked up frozen despite atf, marvel and PB blaster soaking in the cylinders for 8 weeks. Missing parts too...and I'm not a mechanic either! Still have a lot to learn but having fun doing what I can. Soooo, I would like to start with a running or almost ready to run engine that gives me a head start on my project. I have a buddy from my Model A days that owns a garage and will do the work for me that I don't have the knowledge to or equipment to do at a very reasonable rate. He and I could do an engine swap much quicker than me trying to figure out what's missing, finding and buying parts, and rebuilding what's there. So that's the route I'm trying to pursue at this point... I'm open to anything you guys might suggest...thanks! EDIT: I just noticed that the '50 has an 8 cyl flatty...no doubt the engine mounts are completely different and would be longer block too. Although I guess I might be able to make it fit. Edited January 4, 2018 by ebruns1 info Quote
Andydodge Posted January 4, 2018 Report Posted January 4, 2018 Anything is possible but the straight 8's are longer,heavier, parts are MUCH more expensive, also they use a much bigger radiator............my vote would Nah...........keep looking for a Desoto or ideally Chrysler post war to early 50's 6..........get hold of a shop manual and read up..........andyd Quote
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