I have read that when Dodge was making the flathead straight six car & pickup truck engines they also made a larger series for freight trucks. These included a 331 inch and a 413. The page where I read that, did not have any more information. Does anyone know of a book or service brochure or any sort of information on these motors? Thanks
There was a Chrysler corp . connection with Commer in the UK,the commer trucks had a big 300 cube flathead six.
You have read correct about the larger flathead sixes for the very large Dogde trucks,never seen one in a truck since there have been none in the junkyards I frequent. Ford also made a real big flathead six too and I did see one in a 53 F800 in a junkyard years ago.
2 and one half tone and up, very limited production, usually dual and triple carb and dual exhaust. head is 33 inches in lenght. Check the All par site, I believe they have a section with some info. Torque monsters but very whippy crankshaft due to it's length. Oh yea and nearly 1000 lbs not including ******.
If you look on the Bay for older Motors Manual Truck versions you will find some interesting reading. The older car manuals are good too, if your interested in engines,
You read right. I was surprised to learn about these monster 6s when I was leafing thru an old MoToRs Truck Manual. Starting in 1937 and continuing thru (at least 1946), they offered a 331. Starting in 1939, that engine was also available as a Diesel with a whopping 14.8:1 compression ratio. Ther's a gap in my "library" and I don't have any info for '47 thru '51 but there apparently was a 306 in 1952-3 and a 413 in 1954. Wouldn't it be neat to find one of them?
Brian ,here is where I should have posted this link. I have pictures of the truck I pulled this from also but can't figure out how to get them off my phone. I also found a manual on eBay for these trucks/engines. Are you the Brian I talked to at Bonneville? This engine my turn up in a belly tanker. 2.73 gears, 29" tires, 4300 rpms, 30% OD = 195 mph. What will a Packard straight 8 do? What do you think? Check the Mopar forum at inliners.org
We were at a auction and we bought a 1 1/2 ton 48 dodge with a real nice five window cab. It had trees growing through the frame. We cut the trees and started that zombie up (it had been sitting in that spot for 23 years) and i drove it home about 30 miles. A couple of years later my son buys a 44 army WC that needed a engine so i took the engine from the zombie for the WC it would not fit it was longer and we were told that it also has a bunch more stroke too. OldWolf
What about the big Dodge Army trucks ? There are salvage yards that have just that kind of stuff . Saw that on a Gearz show .
All I'm saying is that if a big Dodge was the only engine we had we would see what it would do besides sink. I'll never have the money or skill to be a record holder,so why not take something slow and try to make it go a little better every year. For about the same weight and two less spark plugs it puts out about the same torque as two flatheads and has a main bearing left over. I wasn't putting down your points they are right if my goal was to be the fastest guy in a given cl***. I just want to build something that I can make go faster every year using my limited means. If others get a kick out of it thats OK. If they think I'm crazy they are in the majority and can take comfort in that. Besides if it's slow I won't hurt myself so bad when it breaks.
They also made a Airflo looking truck, very mod for its time. Ive seen pictures, and acutally saw an old one in Sarasota, Fla or close to. This was a fuel tanker and matching tractor. Iceman
I thought a Plymouth 4 would be an OK Bonneville motor. I like it so it is. Dave Dozier thought a '39 Chrysler 8 would be an OK Bonneville motor. I thought he was crazy. Thing went 250 in his streamliner. Now I think a Packard V8 would be a good Bonneville motor. We will see at WoS. A big Dodge is good if you are having fun.
Hello Six Ball, I am a bit of a hermit. I have never been to the Bonneville speed trials. They always seemed like a thrilling event. I even designed a big bore motorcycle and liner shell when I was younger, but never built it. I missed something in your posting. Is it one of these Dodge truck flat sixes that you are putting in your liner? That ought to be a fun project. Which size is yours? I recommend a quick change axle. It won't pull 195 mph if it does not have the horsepower to overcome the wind resistance. Only a trial will show the drag of your liner shell. If your 2.73 ratio lugs the motor at say 100 mph, changing to a lower gear will put more torque to the wheels and may allow you to run a little faster.
Old Wolf, It sounds like the motor from your 1948 1.5 ton is the 265 inch. The Weapons Carrier would have used the 230 of the 1 ton civilian pickups. The 218 of the half ton pickups and some of the cars seems to be the same external size as the 230.
Brian, The thing I posted the pics of is a 413 I think. Lots of torque and it could be fun to see what it could do. It's huge and heavy.
A 413 would be great! I get a 404 not found message when clicking on your picture link. I think it is the abbreviated portion that is causing the trouble, the three dots before ey.
There were a number of huge six cylinder flatheads used as marine engines made by Chrysler, GrayMarine and Continental. Have one in a 21' ChrisCraft. Awsumb sound, two updraft carbs with venturis the size of a baby's head.....
Brian, Ok, Try this link. Sorry for the screw up. It's my very first! Greg thanks for the Stude Stuff. It seems that insanity runs rampant here. I feel at home! I have a couple of **** Dotson's books and enough Stude blocks (V8) to try some of his ideas someday. The link looks the same but it seems to work.
Yes that link worked. It is sure nice to see those pictures, what a great engine. I do hope you will try it as a Bonneville speed machine. That sounds like a really fun project.
A friend has a military surplus business. I bought a a 762mm rocket today. I'll post pictures when I pick it up. It has the nose cap the detonator cover. All aluminum about 30" diameter and 14' long. The Big Six is going to the salt! Here are some missile pictures. This is the warhead section an Honest John our first nuclear missile. It glows in the dark!
Early WHITE superpower trucks had a flathead six of over 300 cubes .Torquemonsters , slow reving ,boat anchors !
We have an old Mack truck sitting out back that has a big old flathead six in it. I don't know anything about it. We also have a Continental Flathead six.
Pretty sure the head of the "short-block" MoPar flatties of the '40s/'50s measured 23 inches. The "long-block" ones higher than 230 measured about 25.5 inches.
The Jalopy Journal
