Dodge truck to Plymouth car engine swap question....

[Mr. Belvedere]

I need a replacement engine for my 54' and found a guy selling a good flattie out of his 49' Dodge truck as he plans to replace it with a V8. This engine of his is mated to a 4 on the floor tranny. My car is of course a three on the tree. Wondering, if the truck engines will mate up to a three speed. Any other differences I should be aware of that may cause me additional problems? Thanks

[Young Ed]

You should be good to go with using his truck engine with your oilpan & pickup, bellhousing, and tranny.

[Mr. Belvedere]

Thanks Ed, what size engine is typically in a truck of that vintage?

[Young Ed]

If its a pickup it should be a 218. Of course these things got swapped around as the original engines got wrecked. Best bet is to check the block # or measure the stroke. Now if it happens to be I think 1ton or bigger you might have found the longer 6 which wont fit without extra mods. Verify its a 23" long block.

[Reg Evans]

If the truck is a 1/2 or 3/4 ton and the engine is original to the truck the engine will be a 218. If it's a 1 ton it will be a 230.

[Norm's Coupe]

At one time I had an extra 230 engine out of a 48 Dodge coupe. The engine was a truck engine according to the serial number, and it was hooked up to a fluid drive transmission in the Dodge coupe. The only difference is the bellhousing for the fluid drive in that case. As mentioned, that truck engine should fit your 53 even if it is a 230 engine. 230's are the same size block as the 218. If going with standard transmission, they should match up too using you same old bellhousing.

If you want to check to see if it's a 218 or 230 truck engine, check the reference section of the main site. It list the numbers for each there.

[brian hood]

I am in the middle of the same process that you are starting. The only problems I have had so far are the clutch and plate is smaller on my car engine. The truck clutch disk and plate is larger. The bellhousing's, motor mounts, and carb linkages are different. Other than that, it is a bolt for bolt swap. Be sure to keep you oil pan. You will need to use your original pan per your application. I hope this helps.

Brian Hood

[Lou Earle]

use the dodge flywheel if you have it - remember the 4 vs 8 bolt pattern

if it is a 218 probably has 4 bolt flywheel if 230 usually has 8 bolts and recessed flange in flywheel to accommodate the longer crack shaft that was or is on dodge 230's

Lou