I have this early polysphere engine that im using in my T. The problem is I don't know exactly what it is, thus making it difficult finding parts and gaskets. The numbers stamped on the block are D55I-89097. I have looked at a few sites such as allpar, but I didn't find the details I was looking for. The valve covers have a red ram decal on them. I bought a pair of spitfire valvecovers at jefferson, but they turned out to be too long. I would like to know the cubic inches on this engine and I need to figure out what flywheel to run with a later model 3 speed.
It seems to me that if you need head gaskets you must have or be about to have the heads off. If so it would be an easy thing to measure the bore and stroke and determine the engine size. I think all the early Hemi/Poly motors used the same flywheels depending on if they were 6 or 12 volt. Maybe not.
That's both good and bad. Bad: it's the smallest engine series, very small (1.937” rod journals and low deck. Compared to other later and larger hemis it's fragile in severe service. Good: the 270 has the best poly head of the Dodge low decks (vs. 241, 259), and takes the 270 Super Red Ram hemi 4 bbl. manifold. it will also take any 270, 315 or 325 hemi heads and all valve gear. Same engine is also used in some 1955 Plymouths and 1955-56 DeSotos. If these cars have a poly motor, it's a Dodge motor. You can also directly subs***ute the larger 1956-58 315 and 325 Dodge motors. http://victorylibrary.com/POLY.htm
I thought 241/270 Hemi heads interchanged, and 315/325's interchanged. I don't think 315 heads will fit on a 270. Also, I've never heard of a DeSoto having a Dodge poly in it, except for the '57 Firesweep.
DeSoto never offered a 270. In '55 they only offered the 291, and I believe there were 2 versions, both Hemi headed, just one with a 4 barrel and one with a 2. '56 used the 330 and 341 DeSoto Hemi. No poly DeSoto's in 55 or 56. '57 offered the Dodge 325 in the Firesweep, and that's it.
Red Ram applied to the Hemi and the poly motor. My '55 Dodge has a 270 poly with original "Red Ram" lettering on it. I know in '56 a Super Red Ram was the 315 ci motor, regardless of what heads were on it. Not sure if there was a Super Red Ram offered in '55.
From what I've seen in junkyards, '53-'54 Dodge V8s that were designated "Red Ram" were all hemis, and '55 Red Rams were poly engines, while '55 Super Red Rams were hemis. I haven't seen enough '56 Dodges to p*** judgement on them.
Squa and I talked about this today...he is right. '55 Desotos had either a 6, 2bbl 291 or a 4bbl 291, no poly motor, only hemi. Other than the 325, I am not aware or have seen a Desoto with a factory poly in it.
If you convert to Hemi the 315/325 heads are the best to use, 270 has smaller valves. You'd need pistons & complete head ***embly, including pushrods.
You say what you want, and I'll say what I want. Or would you rather have some pictures of DeSoto 270s?
i think your refering to the 276cid desoto firedome motor. but there couldve been production line issuses at desoto that required the fitting of some 270s who knows! but to the best of my knowledge mid to low end dodge and high end plymouths only got 270s.
Dodge model D55-1 = 1955 Dodge Coronet V8. 270 cu in 175HP. This was the base polysphere V8. http://www.allpar.com/history/chrysler-years/1955.html
The Jalopy Journal
