Mike,
That e-mail touches a nerve, and brings back memories! Of course, I'm
old enough to give you personal experience with the Chrysler product
flat heads.
My father had a couple of mid-forties Plymouths (actually died in one).
The thing that I remember most about the engine is, first, because we
lived in Northwest Missouri at the time where the winters were cold,
they were difficult to start on cold mornings. Secondly, they had a weak
crankshaft. Probably because people were prone to use too light a weight
of oil, they often lost rod bearings when run hard.
As I have previously mentioned, my first hot rod was a 1941 Plymouth
coupe with a Chrysler "6". We ran a "E" Class at Santa Ana less (than
300 cu. in.) that allowed any modifications internally, but had to be
stock appearing on the external. Dodge truck had optional dual
carburetors which made for a good combo for the class. We had fun but we
not very successful otherwise.
I acquired a '34 dodge pickup and transplanted my Chrysler six in it.
The pickup was quicker but a slower top time. I later installed a 300
cubic inch Desoto which I campaigned successfully in C/Gas for a couple
of years before going to roadsters. The '34 is a natural for drags
because the front axle sets well ahead of the engine. The pickup also
had a 4.64:1 rear axle.
Back in the early sixties there was a stock class in the Southern
California area where I was at the time. A couple of Plymouths did
battle in their class. One was a '49 and the other was a '51. Both ran
in the 79-81 MPH in the quarter. The '51 was run by "Griggs" Grossotti
of Fullerton Muffler who was a good friend and my employer from 1959 to
1961. A couple of secrets he used was an excessively loose timing chain
to allow the cam to be a bit retarded and a 1939 transmission that had a
higher second gear ratio.
You pushed my button!
Tom
OHFASTONE@aol.com wrote:
>
> Can or will anyone help me here? I have a considerable amount of experience
> with engines, but I have never dealt with or actually seen a flathead (except
> for the one that's in a '34 Plymouth I have stashed but untouched). I see a
> lot of conversations about them, see quite a bit of certain partsfor them and
> now, I'm intrigued. Any suggestions as to where and how to get some valuable
> experience? Hey, I can blame my lack of knowledge on the engine on my age.
> I hadn't considered playing with one until now. So after everyone gets
> through laughing about this, send me some info.
>
> Mike
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