Hi guys... Ive been a long time fan and silent spectator for quite a while now.... but now I am hoping to pick your brains for some specific information... I have seen several posts regarding the whole 241 and 270 interchangeable issue... but it seems like there isnt much info about the 259... I have what seems to be a 259 cid block # vt338-13289. (the bore is 3.563") My question is... Can I use my 270 cid hemi heads with this block? The block was originally a poly... out of a dodge truck... Is the 259 the same block as the 241 and 270 with a different cyl bore? Has anyone out there in Hamb land come across this question???
I was digging thru the standard Catalog of Chryser last night trying to find the bore size of a set of mopar pistons I had on a shelf. 3.59 which is a .030 over 259. The only thing I found was the 259 with a 3.563 bore, a optional engine in the 1955 Plymouth line. Well, plymouth was the only chrysler product that did not have hemi heads available on any model in the 50s. So I dont know if there is another brands heads that would fit. The pistons are pt. no. 1513241 os if anyone has a way to look them up in a 55 catalog. Good luck.
As far as i know its the same block. Some early Plymouths 55 hade the Dodge truck 241 poly but then they made it to 259. To use hemiheads on polyengine you should be aware off the position on the cutouts for the valves on top off the pistons.
Randy and Dyna..... all you said is true... my research has led to the same information.... However... there are hints of info here and there that lead me to believe that Anders is also correct! Its a real odd ball motor.. I dont have all the casting #'s in front of me (they are at the machine shop) but I know the crankshaft has the dodge 241/270 casting number... ruling out the 259 plymouth motor. Just a wierd combination bore size and casting numbers... anyone out there familiar with the history of oddball 259 cid used in Dodge trucks??? (thanks to you guys for your responses!!)
I have one myself. Out of a Plymouth. It is a variation of the 241-270 engines. Parts interchange. Here is a 241 bored to 259 I had 50 years ago. Cool motors.
Chrysler was doing some weird motors at that time. Like, the 241 - 270 - 315 Dodge block available in Red Ram hemi heads or Polysphere heads. Then, the Plymouth engine 259? 276? 277? 303? 313? that grew into the Plym/Dodge 318. Reason for question marks, my impression was the 259,276,277,303 and 313 were all versions of the 318 Polysphere but have never been completely sure. Can anyone clear this up?
The 277/303/313/318/326 are the later "A" Poly engines, different than the Dodge Hemi based Polys 241/259/270. The low deck(241-270) Dodges all have the same stroke. The VT-338 Use code was used on 241 hemi Dodge truck block & on 259 Polys. The bore would be the difference. I've never seen any results from a sonic check as to weather a 259 is an overbored 241, un underbored 270 or if wall thickness was"adjusted" the the 259 bore. You need to find out if you can bore to 270 & use 270 hemi pistons (if converting). You need to use custom pistons weather you stay with the 259 apx size or go for 270. The low decks are low on nominal C/R, ranging from 7-7.6, but measured C/R may be up to a full point lower.
241/270 hemi heads will work, but you may have to do some clearancing on the block where the push rods go through the deck.
Dodge hemi stuff will work until you come to pistons there are no 259 hemi pistons. The valve notches are different but the stock piston can be recut.
As I was saying before...the stock C/R isn't anything to get excited about anyway. Custom pistons in the 9-10:1 range should probably be used on any low deck Dodge build.
The 259 block has its own casting number. It is not an overbored 241 or underbored 270. They should go to 270 without a problem. .063 overbore. The VT344 block I just looked at has the keyhole pushrod holes, so clearance there should not be an issue.
Thats all great stuff!! Thanks for all the info... especially the compression ratio... I hadnt thought of that. My goal is going to bore it to 270... I got the hemi heads pretty cheap so I thought they would be a nice novelty item for this truck... Its not a hot rod or anything so I dont think the extra weight will make much difference... but I agree.. I could have saved a lot of money in the long run if I just left it a poly... but it will be cool when its done. Thanks Again!
I see now that they had 2 casting numbers. ***uming that it can go .120 over like most low decks (with a sonic check for sure) .030 or .060 270 custom pistons may be viable. Either way off the shelf stock replacement 270 hemi pistons at 7.6, that might be less than 7:1, should probably be avoided.
I recall the 259 was a popular setup for boat racers and Saltflat people because of the CID put them at the "top" of their respective cl***. The dodge hemi heads were a bolt on but the aforementioned piston eyebrows had to be addressed. ---Some where on the internet is a recording of a 259 on fuel winding it's guts out at Bonneville, belonged to a guy by the name of Cagle but not Gary. They say it never ran again as the crank and block were so webbed with cracks afterward. 1955 Plymouth only as mother Morpower changed the design with the 277.
If you have a morpar poly with a separate valley cover from the intake it can be made into a hemi with the right parts.
Hello I need your help I im fixing a 259/270 for a customer. But i dont know if he is right about what engine it is The block casting number is 1635729 and a small 56 The heads have casting number 1632099-2 The rods have casting number 1328783 On the fron of the block it is stamped VT338-16959 when i google i get different engines Anybody that could help me ID this engine If you are on Facebook look me up there if you know https://www.facebook.com/h***e.tamnes
Your block casting number is correct for the 270 VT truck engine, and the VT338 has shown up as any of the three displacements. The con rod number is correct for the 241 engine. Not surprised to see a mix of numbers, MaMopar didn't waste parts. The actual bore diameter will determine the displacement. Can you post some photos of the heads? Troll through my web pages for other ID info. .
The Jalopy Journal
