Not Really a total build but taking a project to the next level. Plan on V8 Install, Update wiring harness to 12V, and slam it down on the ground to stretch down the streets... Background: Traded my 1972 Westfalia for this 1941 dodge business coupe minus drivetrain. P-P.O. restored the interior in a plush tuck crushed velvet purple and painted/smoothed/welded up fenders, bumpers, frenched dual taillights modified the grill, turn signals, and taillights. The paint job is a nice pearl white with a bunch of gross fake chrome trim.... Updates: Found a 318/904 combo for a couple bills on c/l and then hit up the yards for parts needed to shoehorn btw the rails. I found a 4bbl intake w/carb, Truck Rear sump pan, updated timing cover/waterpump. My boss hooked me up with some 340 exh manifolds to clear the steering column, and a cam NIB. I plan on keeping the stock steering, and drum brake set up for now. I have a 10 bolt chevy rearend with posi which my buddy rich is throwing in when we get it out to his place to make the motor mounts etc....I scored a set of 14" Cragar S/S's for 60 bones on c/l also they just needed a lot of cleaning. Currently I am tearing into the engine in order to put in the new cam/lifters, Rear sump pan, 4bbl intake, and a general freshing up of the engine. I completed a LeakDown test on the engine and found the valves to be leaking by on almost all the cyls on mostly the ex side some on the intake side. I figured the ex side to leak due to this engine supposedly being out of a 1967 belevedere which wouldn't have had hardened exh seats. Issues: The engine is a bit of a mystery at this point as it seems to be a 318 but the block numbers don't state it as such I will post a pic. Also this engine has adjustable rockers where nomally I would have expected to find stamped rockers, Any information on these would be helpful. What style of heads are these? My uneducated guess is that maybe this is the smaller LA engine or possible the canadian built 318? Here are the pics. I will try to update as much as time allows
I believe that that is a 273 ci engine, 273 are the ones that came with adj rockers. I dont remember any 318 that had adj rockers. those engines work just fine but are just smaller cubes. Ron.... what is the casting date on the side of the engine???
2806030-1 is what it looks like. Where else would one look to properly date/I.D. this block. What would be the proper bore I.D. for the 273?
Searching found these: heads http://www.mymopar.com/headcastnumb.htm block http://www.yearone.com/updatedsinglepages/Id_info/mopar/mopar%20casting%20numbers/castingnumbers.html and http://images.google.com/imgres?img...+block+mopar+v8+stampings&hl=en&safe=off&um=1 info http://www.allpar.com/mopar/318.html
Look at the front of the block, just below the driver side head gasket, the displacement should be stamped there. .
When did they start putting them as a raised number just above the driver's side pan? I have a 318 and a 340 both that have a large raised casting with the displacement. Numbers are maybe an inch tall or so.
that is the casting # on the other side of the engine there is a DATE cast # something like 4. 14. 71 that would mean that it was cast in 1971 and would have been put in a 1972 car. also a mentioned above, below the drivers side head stamped into the block, you should be able to find something like F 318 that would be a 1970(F) 318 it looks like maybe someone put the 273 adjustable rockers and pushrods on a 318 at some point of its life <table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" width="280"><tbody><tr><td>2806030</td> <td> 318</td> <td> 1967-74</td> <td> LA</td></tr></tbody></table> like I said in the first post I dont remember any 318 around then that had adj rockers, but I am getting old and anything is possiable Ron...
I wouldn't mind getting old if I could just remember how much fun I thought I had when I was young...like the song says, "you're gonna miss this"... Like you Ron, I simply do not believe Mopar ever use adj gear on an LA 318. The A series 318 - the POLY, YES. Gary .
Unless your front and rear sheet matal has been change, it looks like you car is a 42. 41's look like this.
I was thinking the same thing, 41's still had running boards also. Car looks pretty solid, 8 3/4 e-body rear end will bolt in there also if you don't want to screw around with special u-joints or driveshafts. later shawn
Looks indeed to be a 1942 title states 1941 is there a way to check the VIN?....I also deemed that i have the 273 adjustable rocker arms...I have the engine torn down now and will be getting some 340 heads from my boss for the engine. The 318 heads leak pretty bad and for the cost of the 340 heads i can't even get the 318 heads reconditioned so....I got my 904 back from the tranny doctor, all seals replaced and checked out good to go 300 bucks later. I will start to put the engine back together hopefully sometime this week just a couple of things i want to spec out while its apart. I need to get a new timing chain yet, and a slip yoke for my tranny. One day at a time...
Reminds me of my first Mopar build...'41 plymouth coupe. Loved that car and love your car. Good luck with your build.
Man you could have saved yourself some money and rebuilt that trans yourself, they are pretty simple to rebuild. later shawn
Today I removed the Pistons and checked ConRod bearing clearences @ 0.0015 for all eight all looked good and are within spec. Moving along I checked the crankshaft main bearing clearences and found them to be outta tolerances and most have a nice gouge down the middle, at least enough to grab a dirty fingernail with. They checked low @ 0.002 and high @ 0.003 checking the plastigage. So it looks as if I'll be off to Motor Rebuilders on cherry st. for a new set of bearings hopefully they have some in stock. While they are marginally on the edge of tolerance, the two which are out are a slight concern with the larger cam and heads I plan on adding.....Any suggestions? Crank Main Clearences 1-0.002" 2-0.003" 3-0.002" 4-0.002" 5-0.003"/0.002"
Its been awhile. I bought a 318 for sure this time and tore it all apart. Rebuilt the heads and lapped the valves. Replaced the bearings and rings and reassembled and painted to match the interior. Cleaned up the front clip/fire wall and assembled engine and trans. Now I am making up some motor mounts and a crossmember.
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