Technical Help! Motor recommendations

I have a 54 Plymouth belvedere. Recently discovered it through a rod bearing. Looks like the motor needs to be rebuilt. Shops in my area are 6+ months out. I was wondering if anyone knew a good place to buy a Remanufactured motor? It’s a 3.8 230ci straight 6. I can’t seem to find a reman. Anywhere. I would also be curious if there is a later model engine that would work as well. Any info would be much appreciated!

 

Threw a bearing?
Spun a bearing?
Threw a rod?

You should probably pull the engine and transmission and investigate before you get ahead of yourself. Unless you know for sure the engine is completely junk. Could be an easy fix. Could be worse than expected.
You might start looking around for a used running 218 to replace yours. Probably the least expensive and least difficult option. Those engines aren't growing on trees, but they're around. Might have to buy a whole rusted Hulk of a four-door to get one. But then you'll have a bunch of other parts you might be able to use.

 

Spun a bearing. Main seal was leaking. Was experiencing significant vibration when taking off in first. Was quoted approx 6k to rebuild motor. I was thinking if that was the case, mid as well replace it.

 

So much for an easy fix. I'm thinking that part of that 6 K is to align bore the block. A good part of it maybe pricing themselves out of doing an engine that while pretty simple takes a bit more time than common later engines that you can do blindfolded.

230's were in Mopars up to 59 before being replaced with the slant six in 1960 and a decent one shouldn't be that hard to find. At least one that runs and maybe smokes a bit but doesn't need a lot of spendy machine work to rebuild.

 

you might also want to let folks know where you are....you can add your location to your profile, or just post it

 

He did say "anywhere"

 

New Hampshire

 

I have a core '54 217 that would likely clean up into a runner, but in Central VA.

Maybe ask around places near you that work on a lot of industrial vehicles and equipment, or marinas. Many Chrysler flatheads were sold as industrial engines for forklifts, welders and ag equipment, well into the late 60s. Just watch out for reverse rotation ones.

 

Too bad you weren’t closer, I’ve a 218 for a forklift project I did a valve job on recently, but am going to abandon the project.
Just not enough hours in a day anymore.

 

I helped a friend with a '52 Plymouth change his tired engine in 1973. The new remanufactured unit came from the Sears catalog. It was around $370 and the core charge was something like $60. Those days are long gone, but it was a very viable option in the day.

 

Archie and Edith said it best “those were the days”.
Costs have really gone up, some 25 years ago I dropped a LA 318 off for a rebuild, right around a grand.
I’ll have around 2600 in a SBC shortblock when I pick it up. This is an incredibly shortblock, crank, rods and block only and new pistons/bearings fitted.
I shudder to think what happens if my daily’s engine takes a dump, I can get another driver, but need a truck weekly for use here. Can’t pull a trailer or haul hay in a Honda

 

Check the P15D24 site.

 

^^^^www.p15.d24.com
Also consider that the L6 was used in agricultural equipment.
...and of course Craigslist..... 1951 plymouth 4 door - auto parts - by owner - vehicle automotive sale (craigslist.org)

 

Jasper Engines

 

They do almost anything, worth a shot. My son had one in an OT furrin car, it ran well.

 

30's / 40's Chrysler Imperial strait 8 would make it really move. My friend had one in the 50's and it went 80 MPH at the 1/4 mile drags in a stock 4 Dr sedan.

 

Take a look at a Ford 200 or 250 cubic inch six. The intake and exhaust are on the same side as your flathead six. Measure to see if one would fit. The 300 six would be way too long.

 

Why not try and fix what you have? If you spun a rod bearing, then the crank could probably be welded up and turned. New main and rod bearings, along with oil pump, rear main seal and pan gasket and you might be able to salvage what you have. Kanter has parts, along with Andy Bernbaum.

 

We put a slant six 3 speed into a 1950 Dodge Coronet 4 door. It required some fitting but powered the car well.

 

Something to keep in mind is that the power wagons used the 230 as well until they switched over to the 251. They built and sold them here until 1968 and continued selling the trucks for export until the late 70s There's quite a bit of Nos engine parts out there for them. You may even find an Nos shortblock.

 

I’d be astounded if they had one on the shelf. I’ll bet you would have to send them the core.

 

First time I ever heard of "through a rod bearing". Yes the crankshaft rod journal will go "through a rod bearing" but you usually throw a rod. and to rebuild a motor would best be done at an electric shop. Engines get rebuilt at a machine shop specializing in such things.

Middle of well what? Might as well states that you may just bite the bullet and replace it.

I am not usually a grammar geek but this is atrocious. It makes me glad that I was taught to spell and use proper grammar where I went to school.

 

^^^^^. Now there’s some help

 

Or buy a van or pick up with a 318 or 360 in it, they have the rear sump set up you need.

 

Check out Facebo@k. . Lots of deals . Im sure you can find a running engine ..

 

...public education at its finest.....

 

That looks like a main bearing with thrust take up. Not a rod bearing!

 

That looks like a main bearing with thrust take up, not a rod bearing. If so, you have more issues than originally described.

 

Spot on!!