1950 dodge wayfarer engine specifics

[Mattchuey]

Hi. Just acquired my 1950 dodge wayfarer. 108,000 miles on it. It's sat for 7 years now before I picked it up. Working through the engine right now. It has a swapped engine I would say. It's a chrysler L6 spitfire. I'm trying to find the correct numbers for what compression should be on my compression tester. Also in the process of rebuilding the carb so while waiting on that kit I'm trying to check everything else. Also not sure where to go to find all this info otherwise. Thanks for all your help guys. 

[greg g]

What is the engine number?  It is stamped into the block above the generator just under the lower edge of the  cylinder head.

[joecoozie]

Compression should be in the 100's - around 100 to 115 - for a healthy engine

[Booger]

shop manual is a must. Ebay or Amazon for around $20

[Doug&Deb]

Does the cylinder head say spitfire on it. The Chrysler engine is 25 inches long and 250.6 cubic inches. The dodge engine is 23 inches long and 230.2 cubic inches. If you have a Chrysler engine in your dodge the radiator has been moved forward to accommodate the longer engine. The engine number will solve the mystery. Either way a service manual is a must. Reprints are readily available and inexpensive.

[Mattchuey]

Engine number is from what I can tell, C5I-2799  B ill see if I can upload a picture but I'm almost thinking that I is actually a 1 and this particular engine is from a 51 Windsor from what I have found looking around the internet. 

Yes the head does say spitfire and I measured it is in fact 25 inches. So I believe this is the 251 ci engine. 

Edited September 6, 2021 by Mattchuey
Added info

[keithb7]

Yup agree. Likely 251.  Best to remove the pipe plug above #6 cylider in the head. Get a small pice of wood dowel at the lumber store. Insert in the hole. Loosen spark plugs. Turn over engine by hand.  Measure stroke at #6. 
 

4 ¼” = 237 ci

4 ½” = 251 ci

4 ¾” = 265 ci

[greg g]

http://carnut.com/specs/gen/chry50.html

 

C51 indicates 52 Chrysler.

 

The blue paint may indicate this engine has been rebuilt by a national chain of rebuilders, like Jasper or several others. Look for a brass tag riveted to the block forward of the distributor.  Some times all that's survived is the rivet. The tag will indicate a model number which is a key to the machining done on cylinders and bearings. It was part of the deal in those days to replace rebuild or at least re ring these engines around 60 to 70k miles.  So your hundred k car may have a 30k PowerPoint. 

Edited September 6, 2021 by greg g

[Dodgeb4ya]

C51...can indicate either a 1951 Windsor 251...or

A 1952 Windsor 265 the new bigger engine introduced in 52.

The only sure way to know the displacement is to remove the 7/16" hex plug over #6 cylinder and use a long  straight piece of coat hanger to check the stroke length.