48 Chrysler spitfire vs 55 Plymouth 230

[Mister B]

I have a chance to buy one of two engines and would like your opinions. The one is from a 1955 Plymouth, which is a 230 like I currently have in my 48 Dodge. The other is from 48 Chrysler, its a 250 spitfire and has the fluid drive trans like my Dodge has now. The 230 was pulled a few years ago and the Chrysler was pulled a couple months ago for a v8 swap. Both were said to running when pulled. The downside to the Plymouth is that it has the powerflite auto trans.

My question is, what is the easier swap into my 48 Dodge? Is Chrysler's fluid the same as my Dodge? I'm aware that it's a 25" block versus my 23" block in my Dodge. My concern is, what is easier to install and what would yield the better results in terms of compression, hp, etc. I can get either combo for no more than $400 and they are only an hours drive from me.

I plan to buy one or the other before the week is out, so chime with your thoughts so I don't go off half cocked!

[MarcDeSoto]

I've never done this, so don't take my advice as gospel.  I've heard from other posters that putting a 25" engine in a Dodge creates fit problems with the fan touching the radiator.  I would use the 23" Plymouth engine as I think it would fit, but you should get others advice on this.  

[chrysler1941]

I would get them both. 

I don't know much about Dodge either, but Fluid Drive it's not a transmission. 

Do you shift gears manually ? If so then it's unlike the self shifting transmission of Chrysler and DeSoto.

[Andydodge]

As the 25" engine was the standard fitment for Canadian built Dodge & Plymouth cars  from I think the late 1930's to early 50's at least and was also used in conjunction with the 23" engine here in Oz, sometimes BOTH in the same year and there are in some years cutouts in the area on either side of the sheetmetal which would allow the radiator to be mounted forward I'd think either engine would be suitable..........but if I was looking towards hotting up the chosen engine then I'd pick the 25" as there is no substitute for cubic inches..........my Oz 2 cents worth............andyd 

[knuckleharley]

15 hours ago, Mister B said:

I have a chance to buy one of two engines and would like your opinions. The one is from a 1955 Plymouth, which is a 230 like I currently have in my 48 Dodge. The other is from 48 Chrysler, its a 250 spitfire and has the fluid drive trans like my Dodge has now. The 230 was pulled a few years ago and the Chrysler was pulled a couple months ago for a v8 swap. Both were said to running when pulled. The downside to the Plymouth is that it has the powerflite auto trans.

My question is, what is the easier swap into my 48 Dodge? Is Chrysler's fluid the same as my Dodge? I'm aware that it's a 25" block versus my 23" block in my Dodge. My concern is, what is easier to install and what would yield the better results in terms of compression, hp, etc. I can get either combo for no more than $400 and they are only an hours drive from me.

I plan to buy one or the other before the week is out, so chime with your thoughts so I don't go off half cocked!

 

 

I would buy both,use one,and then use the other as swap meet goods. It's like buying one and getting one free at $800 if both are good.

As for me,I would not right gravity,and use the 23 inch engine. The 55 230 Plymouth PROBABLY has more power than your 48 Dodge engine,and even mild performance additions count for a lot.

 

If you were really serious about additional HP,you would just put a OHV V-8 in it and wouldn't have asked that question,so why make things harder and more expensive on yourself?