crazycasey Posted May 1, 2008 Report Posted May 1, 2008 Hey guys, I am new to your forum, came over from the HAMB. Not sure if that earns me a ration of crap or not, but it is what it is right? Anyhow, I have a 1953 Dodge Meadowbrook with a flathead six. I'm pretty sure that it has a 230 in it, but how do I know? I'm almost certain that the engine has never been swapped, as everything has a similar level of rust and grease on it. I've seen all of this stuff about short and long blocks...I laid a tape measure from the front of the cylinder head to the rear and came up with like 22-3/4" (23" block???, as the block protrudes almost 1/4" from under the head). Anyhow, hoping somebody can shed some light. Thanks, Crazy Casey Quote
TodFitch Posted May 1, 2008 Report Posted May 1, 2008 The 23" block is the "short" one (Chrysler, DeSoto, larger Dodge trucks and the Canadian production used a 25" "long" block). On the block just above the generator is a raised boss and in that boss an engine number should be stamped. That number will tell the original application. From the application you can tell what the original displacement was. Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted May 1, 2008 Report Posted May 1, 2008 I'd say it "sounds like" should be the original 230 engine. The first three digits on the block should indicate the year. Example: "P24" or whatever. I can't recall the designation number for a 53 model. If you plan on keeping it mostly or all stock, I would suggest you purchase a repair and/or parts manual for it. They are available on ebay about all the time....as original or reprints. Oh, and welcome Casey......where you from? Quote
greg g Posted May 1, 2008 Report Posted May 1, 2008 No ration of crap for coming over from the HAMB. This is a more family rated site and profanity is usually implied rather than spelled out. Lot of folks are participants of both forums so jumping in is no problem at all. we are just and rude and raucus at time but we keep out tapistries of profanity in the garage or shop, and many of us have rather large ones at that. Dodge cars were 230's. You can measure the stroke (which determines the discpacement over the 218) by removing the little pipe plug directly over # 6 cylinder. Insert a piece of stif wire, turn the engine over by hand and measure the wire. 4 5/8 equals 230. Lotsa good Early MOPAR info here welcome aboard and all the $#!+. Quote
Merle Coggins Posted May 1, 2008 Report Posted May 1, 2008 The best way to know if you have a 230 CID motor is to measure the stroke. There is a 1/8" plug over #6 cylinder. Remove the plug and slip a heavy wire or rod down to the top of the piston. Crank the engine over by hand and measure the stroke. The 230 has a stroke of 4 5/8". If it were, by chance, a 218 it would have a stroke of 4 3/8". Both engines have a 3 1/4" bore. Merle Quote
Reg Evans Posted May 1, 2008 Report Posted May 1, 2008 If the engine number that Tod described starts with a D46 or D47 it's the correct 230 engine for your 53 Meadowbrook. Quote
crazycasey Posted May 1, 2008 Author Report Posted May 1, 2008 No ration of crap for coming over from the HAMB. This is a more family rated site and profanity is usually implied rather than spelled out. Sorry guys...it's like coming over to Mom and Dad's house after hanging out with the boys all night. For what it's worth I edited my original post to be more PG. Anyhow, I appreciate all the great info...will check those block numbers as soon as I get back to the shop and report! Quote
crazycasey Posted May 1, 2008 Author Report Posted May 1, 2008 The 23" block is the "short" one (Chrysler, DeSoto, larger Dodge trucks and the Canadian production used a 25" "long" block). Did I measure the block correctly by running a tape from the front of the head to the back? Oh, and for the person who asked, I am from Santa Rosa, California. I guess one of the dodge/chrysler/plymouth flathead hot rod Guru's of the world lives right accross town from me, but I've never met him. Maybe I will bump into him at Bonneville this year...I plan to go run my '65 BSA Cyclone 500. Thanks again for all the geat feedback and information. I'm glad to be a part of your online community. Quote
blueskies Posted May 1, 2008 Report Posted May 1, 2008 ...Bonneville this year...I plan to go run my '65 BSA Cyclone 500.... I'm planning on being there too, for the first few days of speed week. I wanna see your Cyclone... Pete Quote
blueskies Posted May 1, 2008 Report Posted May 1, 2008 ...I guess one of the dodge/chrysler/plymouth flathead hot rod Guru's of the world lives right accross town from me, but I've never met him. Maybe I will bump into him at Bonneville this year... Edgerton? Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted May 1, 2008 Report Posted May 1, 2008 forget the tape..look for the first three model desigination number for your engine on the boss above the generator and below the head..the stock engine for this is 230... Quote
Guest rockabillybassman Posted May 1, 2008 Report Posted May 1, 2008 Welcome. I'm a Hamber too. Todfitch.... not all Canadian built Mopars have long blocks. The exports (of which my '55 is one) had short motors. As a point of interest, export Desotos were rebadged Plymouths. Quote
crazycasey Posted May 1, 2008 Author Report Posted May 1, 2008 I'm planning on being there too, for the first few days of speed week. I wanna see your Cyclone...Pete I'm not sure right now when we will be there. It's a toss up between Speed Week and Bub. Bub is a lot more reasonable for us bike guys, but you don't get to see all the cool hot rods. Maybe I'll just go for speed week, stay for Bub, and end up at AHRMA...don't think I'll be sick of Utah after three weeks do yah? Yeah, Mr. Edgerton is who I was referring to. I saw him in Hot Rod a couple months ago, and when it said that he was from Santa Rosa I was shocked...gotta meet that guy! Not to get too far off topic here, but we will definately be at Speed Week next year, hopefully working on a documentary...and there will be some really cool bikes with us...that's all I'm sayin'! By the way, Blueskies...your Plymouth has been an inspiration to me. Quote
blueskies Posted May 1, 2008 Report Posted May 1, 2008 By the way, Blueskies...your Plymouth has been an inspiration to me. Thanks... I'm running one of Edgerton's heads on my flatty. I met Earl on the salt a few years ago and watched his maiden run. Chatted with him several times since, he's a great guy. Pete 12 port fuel injected big block... Quote
crazycasey Posted May 2, 2008 Author Report Posted May 2, 2008 So my engine number starts with D46, so that means it's a 230. Thanks for the help guys! Quote
Andydodge Posted May 2, 2008 Report Posted May 2, 2008 Casey, Ive spoken to Earl a few times in the process of getting my Edgy head, great guy, very helpful especially since I was calling from Australia, he and Pete(Blue Skies) deserve a heap of thanks for the inspiration they both have been to the mopar 6 cause........btw Pete......is either of those 2 guys beside Earls car Earl?........lol......just in case I ever get to Bonneville to know who to bow before.....lol......andyd Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted May 2, 2008 Report Posted May 2, 2008 1953 Dodge engine as found in the 119 inch wheelbase car..103 horses at 3600 rpm and 190 lbs of torque at 1200 CID is 230.2 at 7.0 CR Quote
blueskies Posted May 2, 2008 Report Posted May 2, 2008 ....btw Pete......is either of those 2 guys beside Earls car Earl?........lol......just in case I ever get to Bonneville to know who to bow before.....lol......andyd Andy- He's the one in the helmet, behind the wheel... Here's a clip of his maiden voyage. Casey, if get a chance to meet Earl, ask him about his overhead valve conversion for the flathead six... This is one of two... in his crew chief's Dodge truck. Pete Quote
crazycasey Posted May 2, 2008 Author Report Posted May 2, 2008 1953 Dodge engine as found in the 119 inch wheelbase car..103 horses at 3600 rpm and 190 lbs of torque at 1200 CID is 230.2 at 7.0 CR Tim, that's some pretty cool info. What book did that come from? Now, I have read all of the head milling posts...does anybody have a spec for how thick the head should be on this year car, or what the stock head cc should be, so that I can: A) Figure out if my head has been milled or not and Figure out how much to take off to get to 8:1 Thanks again so much to all yous guys! I am less lost then I have ever been! Quote
crazycasey Posted May 2, 2008 Author Report Posted May 2, 2008 Casey, if get a chance to meet Earl, ask him about his overhead valve conversion for the flathead six...Pete Pete, that is too crazy for words there man. Talk about some major re-engineering. I will definately ask him about it. Quote
greg g Posted May 2, 2008 Report Posted May 2, 2008 Do a compression test. New Compression was 115 to 120. An engine in good condition will be in the 90 to 110 range. So if you are within that range you can probably assume your head is stock. If you stay below .070 off you will be in the 8+ to 1 range. Remember you can also take some off the block as well. One old sage says you can take up to .090 off and still stay with regular gas. I took .10 off my block and .050 off my head. the machine shop guy said with the .030 over pistons, I am around 8.5 to 1. Quote
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