I'm thinking about engine options for my '41 Plymouth coupe. An early Hemi would be awesome, IMO. I was looking at a '55 Chrysler 331 Hemi. I did some poking around on the internet and found this link. http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w...specifications Is it true the Chrysler engine weighs 720 pounds? How come the DeSoto engines were lighter? What does a Mopar flathead 6 weigh? A 360? Thanks for your inputs. Rock
As you dig for info, you will find a variety of published weights, all due to what was still bolted together when it was on the scale. Generally, a 392 block = 195-200lbs, 331/354 = 180 +/-; empty head= 68lbs; crank = 78 lbs; intake = 43 lbs...the rest of the parts are similar to a sbm. The flat 6 is very heavy, check over at www.p15-d24.com for a number. Consider that the DeSoto is about 15% smaller (both physically and displacement) than the Chryslers, and the Dodge is about 15% smaller than the DeSoto. Weights follow a similar path. .
1955-331 engines are sought after in the "nitro" world because of the flow of the cylinder heads. 354 and 392 are easier to find parts for. If you can get a 331 cheap, take it and hold on to it. But dont break it.
try the spitfire six. still a six but more cubes and you wont have the steering and suspension issues of trying to shoe horn a v8. and the engine compartment will still finish up nice, i think you can just flip the core support around and pick up the 1 3/4 . i was lookin at going 345 desoto in my 51 and its a big motor for those slim frame rails and they have to sit real high
The biggest problem you're going to run into is the steering gear clearence. I'd look for a Dodge Hemi...
Yep, the steering box is a *****. Rack and pinion will fix it, or a front clip. We did a Camaro clip on our '41 Chrysler, but now a Mopar 360 doesn't fit! I hate SBC's, so I got a slant 6 to try.
Put a rear sump pan, oil pick up, dipstick & tube from a van or pick up on the 360, should go right in, same way a rear sump hemi will.
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