Inliners International Forums General Discussion MOPAR Which Engine to look for

Ok I was just about to start on my 31 Chrylser speedster project when out of the blue some one "made me an offer I couldn'r refuse" and I got a fairly complete 1924 Model 70 6 cyl in trade for my rustly bare chassis. Complete except no engine or trans. So much the better because the plan is to build a "retro rod" or Speedester. See the 32 chrysler at this link for inspiration:

http://www.montereyhistoric.com/past/entry_pdf/1b.pdf#search=\'chrysler%20rigante\'

Any way I don't need to keep with the origional year, (No Babbits thanks!) just the same general type, so I guess I'm looking for almost any Chrylser/ DeSoto ("long") flat head. Are any of these better than others due to bigger displacement or forged crank etc? I'd like to stay in the 40' or 30's but I don't really plan to race; I just want to look like I could, so I'm open to any suggestions.
Thanks for your reply!

i would suggest you go with a 251 dodge truck engine. that's the long block, factory bore, with forged crank. the military used tons of 'em up through about '69, so there's gobs available. they will look correct and should give you the best performance and endurance, IF what i've been reading is correct. for more information, go to www.vintagepowerwagons.com, and they'll even talk to you on the phone toll free.

good luck!

Oh, that is very interesting! My next door neighbor has a collection of about 15 Korean War Era army trucks. Sounds like fate to me!
Thanks

I agree with 59 Savoy. The best choice would be a truck engine. Most of them were premium engines. They came out with all the extras done to them. Another choice would be the 265. It was also in trucks and some ag. equipment. Mopar had a couple of grades of engines. The larger trucks and ag. equip. had the premium engines in them. Hope this helps.

yup the 251 or the 265 is a great motor, same block different crank and rods, put modern fuel injection on it. i have a 47 fargo eith the 251 in it and have fuel injected it with complete works from a 92 checy 4.3 best thing i couls have done
will share pics and info if any one is iterested

John

karenfargo, the pics of the injection unit would be cool to see how you hooked things up as there seems to be a lot of guys that are talking about this the last few months and the more we can see, the better off we will be.
Thanks...

Leif, I don't know how close you are to any farm equipment salvage yards, but I know a fellow who bought a 265 Chrysler industrial engine out of a combine for $100. Some big Dodge trucks had 265s, too, back in the '50s. Since the engine was longer than the original 217, he had to move the radiator, but the bellhousing bolted right up! I understand that a lot of farm equipment, aircraft tugs, generators, tree digesters, etc, etc, used various versions of these good ol' engines! Good luck.

Leif, if your neighbor doesn't have an engine that you're interested in, my uncle has a couple of old flathead sixes behind his place. One for sure is a 230 & the other is (I think) a 251, though it may be a 265 as it came from a combine. I really don't know what sorta shape these things are in, they've been sitting outside for quite a while (eastern oregon doesn't get much rain though). Might be a good parts sorce though.
Edwin

Leif, if you still are looking for an engine/trans combo, i have a 265 flatty and 3-spd trans for sale ( actually 2 of em' )they were removed from an aircraft tug.they're complete minus the starters,and also have several other parts.if interested,you can e-mail me at deadted74@yahoo.com.thanx ted

John;
I would like to see the pictures of the fuel injection setup on a flat 6. I have stuffed a "big" block 251 Desoto engine into my 48 Plymouth. I currently am running dual carbs, dual exhaust, and dual points. Runs strong but I am always looking for improvement.
Don Coatney

Neat inlet manifold there, Don... is that brazed or welded? Did you do it yourself?

Ray;
George Asche modified my manifold. That is one of the many things he does.
Don Coatney