I purchased an IH Metro Van and it came with a Plymouth engine and box but the seller didn't know what it was out of. Here are some pictures including shots of either casting numbers and/or engine number. On the RHS at rear is the number 21288854 On driver side is 2128854-4 On the frontv of the block LHS is AAQA with a 4 below the last A And finally on RHS at front is T38 1080 Any Plymouth experts have some ideas.I checked a website for casting numbers and they show that 2128854 is a 361cubic inch or 383 cubic inch from 1964. I would guess it is a torqueflyte box. I will post the build pictures in the Vintage Step Vans thread.
Yeah, s****e the number "38" stamped in the pad on the front of the block and you'll see another "3". It's a 383.
see where the big casting number is on the side of the block? look on the other side of the block in the same area, see if there's a casting date. The 727 Torqueflite used that rear flange through 1964. It also works with a push ****on, cable operated shifter.
Thanks for the responses. That all makes sense. Now I just need to find a Plymouth guy that needs a 383 and Torqueflyte. Don't know what it is worth yet but will help to defray costs a bit.
'61 383. 4 bolt v'covers ran from '58 to '61. '62 on, v'covers changed to 6 bolt. The ''loom-num" 727 came out in '62. '61 still used the cast iron TF. So,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,? Find the cast date on the right side of the block. See what it sez.
What are you going to replace it with that is better! 383 and a 727 flyte in superbees and road runners kicked a lot of small block Chevy ***!
T indicates 1963, 38 indicates 383- T 38= 1963 383. A good engine with a forged crank. The only problem that I see is that you gotta have the push****on shifter mechanism but not to worry just replace the ****** with a lever shift model from a 66- 69 or so I think that I remember. Later ******s can be used if accompanied with the matching torque converter due to a change in the input spine count. The 4 bolt covers were changed to 6 bolts in 66 due oil leak problems.
A SBC will bolt straight into the ch***is we are using and will be more reliable for what we intend to use the van for. The cost of rebuilding the 383 would be expensive here. I think a Plymouth guy would be happy to get one.
Here is the link to the build stuff on the Metro in the thread Vintage Step Vans http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/vintage-step-van-post.282902/page-73#post-11107097
Because we got to identify a neat engine, only to have you tell us that you're just going to sell it, and put a belly****on in it's place.
Yes I agree but if he allows another Dodge- Plymouth guy to get this engine- ****** all is good. The basic fact is that the parts are probably good but the installation that I saw is almost insurmountable. The shifter is absent and the shift cable was torched. Not good unless you have the parts and they are scarce. Better to be a replacement to a original car or so I think. I feel kinda bad too I had a 63 Dodge 383 that would twist the tail of any big block Chebby around. I had a close call with a 70 Biscayne 427 425 horse. We were betting money and I got it.
Ha ha ha he actually thinks a small block Chev is a better, more reliable engine than a Mopar 383. You are right though, the parts are cheaper - in every sense. What makes you think anything is wrong with the engine? Have you tried running it, checked compression and oil pressure? Is the rod sticking thru the block?
Check the post in Vintage Step Vans http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/vintage-step-van-post.282902/page-73#post-11107097 We are not using the original Metro ch***is that came with a poorly installed engine and trans. The ch***is is junk. The van will need to be an everyday mobile food van not a high powered fuel guzzler. The ch***is we are using is able to accept the 350/350 and comply with the strict registration rules we have with swapping the body over. We don't have the luxury over here of being able to do whatever you would like to do and get the vehicle on the road. It will probably cost me $1000 just for the approvals and if we start putting odd ball engine and trans into the picture then it makes it more difficult. I will get it running just to see what it is like. We even contemplated putting a smaller V8 or even a six in for reliability. But the 350/350 came out of a running car and it is $1000. To recondition the 383 and trans would probably be over $5000.
All excellent logic. Someone will be very happy with that 383/torquefllite combo, especially if they have a huffed 63 or 64 sport fury that needs a transplant. Worked on several of these back in the 60s, and with the right cam, wow! Chrysler just never put the right cam in the 361-383 for performance, even with the Roadrunners.
...please enlighten me...you are in OZ, correct? How is it that a Mopar engine/trans is considered odd but a shiverlay isn't ? Logic seems to say that anything from the states would be 'out of the ordinary' based on what (little) is known of you rules. Based on your truck's design usage it would appear that a small diesel would be the better choice. No issues with your project, but just curious. .
Small block Chevs are pretty common here. We had tri5 Chevrolets come into Australia but mostly 4 doors. Then GM Australia used 327's and 350's in the Australian Holden especially the early Monaro. And car enthusiasts imported them by the container load for rebuilds and performance upgrades.
I had this same stuff in a 1959 Crysler Saratoga that I had for a few years, first engine I rebuilt. Ran forever after rebuild, only reason I re did it was because I had a long trip to take and didn't want to go that far on an engine that had over two hundred and fifty thousand miles on it. The under the hood plate said it was a 383ci. Good luck my friend. Tom from Ventura Ca. Sent from my B1-730HD using Tapatalk
It's strange. It's still there on a real computer and I was able to post in it but I can't find it with my phone nor does it show up that I posted in it.
Vintage Step Van thread did not show up on my real computer, just now. Just got the "HAMB ERROR" notice. Ray
Try this. It was moved but can only be found for me on a real computer. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/step-van-thread-imported-from-main-board.997676/ http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/step-van-thread-imported-from-main-board.997676/
Go to the last page. My post is there from yesterday. But doesn't show up in "my posts" It's very strange.
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