Engine ID help needed

[Deleted]

OK, guys. I've decided I'm definitely going to get in on the first build off of 2019. I have a couple of the AMT 1941 Plymouth 2 in 1 kits so thought I'd use one. I'm leaning towards a gasser build and would like to have an early small block MOPAR power plant in it (and the rules say I have to). The kit comes with 2 engine options. Unfortunately they don't bother to ID either engine. I'd like to know for sure what the V8 in the kit is. I thought it was probably an early 318 motor, but the distributor location isn't right, or at least I don't think it is. It is located on the rear of the intake as it should be, but it's on the driver's side of the intake. Shouldn't it be on the passenger side? The oil filter is correctly located on the passenger side and the starter is on the driver's side (it's molded directly onto the oil pan). The oil pan is correctly shaped for a MOPAR V8.

So, do any of you guys know for certain what the V8 in the kit is? It's not going to be a major problem if it can't be correctly identified or happens to NOT be a MOPAR engine. I've got a bid in right now for a 340 motor out of the '71 Duster kit.

Or,,,,,,, I do have a couple of other options. One would be to just use the stock 6 cylinder that's in the kit. Option 2 would be,,,,,,,, (ready, Al),,,I could steal a leaning tower of power from one of my many kits that have a Slant 6 as a second option.   As funny is that might be, it could be a realistic option.

Any help in identifying the V8 in the kit will be greatly appreciated. I'd also like to hear from any of you that think the stock 6 or the Slant 6 would be the right way to go. And remember, all my builds will be displayed hood down and doors closed in individual cases, so once the thing is built and the build off is over it won't really matter what engine is in the thing.

[tubbs]

ok, one thing you need to know.... STOP BIDDING ON THINGS AND ASK!! if you can, stop bidding and I will send you one. didn't mean to yell (yes, I was yelling), I should have one I can send you.

that's the 340, not that boat anchor… all mine are at the bottom of a land fill somewhere. how about a nice 331 / 392 hemi? I should have some of those too. maybe the old firedome out of the 53 ford pickup with the 8 1 barrels???

[Deleted]

Yeah, I thought about putting a post in the wanted section on here. Saw the 340 by accident while trying to research the V8 in the kit and decided to just make a bid. If I win I'll get it shipped to the house for something under 10 bucks, depending on whether or not anybody else bids.

[Mr. E]

There's a very small, small block in the LRW A100 kit. I'm starting to think it may be more accurate than the one in the 340 in the Duster kit.

[Deleted]

I'll keep that in mind. I don't have a LRW in my stash right now.

[Mr. E]

Dec 5, 2018 17:04:52 GMT -5 @smhardesty said:

I'll keep that in mind. I don't have a LRW in my stash right now.

I hate when that happens. LOL

[Deleted]

I'm kind of surprised to have not gotten a single attempt to ID the V8 in the kit. Surely one or more of you guys have built something out of the '41 Plymouth kit. Haven't you? Maybe nobody has and I'll be the first person on here to build one. I'm really doubting that though.

[Deleted]

Question for you, Al. How much wider do you think the 392 engine is than the 340 out of '71 Duster kit? The 392 is obviously a better choice than the 340. It would also allow me to keep the car as an early 60s gasser. If I go the 340 route I have to make the car at least a late 60s or even early 70s car due to the time frame of the 340.
A 345 horse 392 could easily be had in the late 50s & early 60s so I could build the car as a '62 gasser, which is what I'm really wanting.

So if you've got time, do a little visual comparison on the 340 and 392 if you would. There isn't a whole lot of room in the engine compartment of the '41. I really don't think I'm anywhere near ready to start making all sorts of modifications to the front of the car. Before I'd do that I'd just throw the inline 6 in it.

Let me know what you think about the size of the 392. Not that it would make a whole lot of difference, but this '41 kit is a 1/25 kit.

[Mr. E]

So I've done a little research on the distributor location of the Chrysler LA family of engines. It turns out that the distributor is driven on the driver's side of the cam, Therefor the distributor would be offset to the driver's side of the engine. Also, I looked at the distributor location on the 340 engine in the Duster kit and it is also offset to the driver's side with the coil being on the passenger side. So it is probable that the engine included in your '41 is, in fact, an LA series small block which includes the 273 that was introduced in 1964. So if you use the small block in the '41 simply claim it's a 273, which I can tell you is one screaming little engine.

Well, nevermind. I just found a picture of the engine in the '41 and there's no way it could be an LA engine. The exhaust ports are all wrong. It's not a poly engine either the valve covers are wrong for that too.   

Sorry bud, got no idea what that engine is.

[sportabout]

Don't say it is CanHearEveryValveRapOnLongExtendedTrips 350 😨😨

[tubbs]

I got my 41 yeeeeaaaaarrrrsss ago, the stock engines are not in my position anymore. no doubt the best engine would be a 331 or a 392. and you shouldn't worry about the width of the motor cause the inner fender wells should be removed for a true gasser car. or you can cut them I guess. I have some really old ones with different valve covers. I will do some searching in my parts department and see what I can come up with. probably be next week, maybe tomorrow. model club and football tonight.

[Deleted]

Dec 6, 2018 4:57:47 GMT -5 Mr. E said:

So I've done a little research on the distributor location of the Chrysler LA family of engines. It turns out that the distributor is driven on the driver's side of the cam, Therefor the distributor would be offset to the driver's side of the engine. Also, I looked at the distributor location on the 340 engine in the Duster kit and it is also offset to the driver's side with the coil being on the passenger side. So it is probable that the engine included in your '41 is, in fact, an LA series small block which includes the 273 that was introduced in 1964. So if you use the small block in the '41 simply claim it's a 273, which I can tell you is one screaming little engine.

Well, nevermind. I just found a picture of the engine in the '41 and there's no way it could be an LA engine. The exhaust ports are all wrong. It's not a poly engine either the valve covers are wrong for that too.   

Sorry bud, got no idea what that engine is.

Well, thanks for taking the time to look into it. I was pretty sure it wasn't a poly, but since I'm no expert I thought I'd wait for one of you guys to confirm that. I think I'll just stay away from the kit V8 and either use the inline 6 or go with a 392. I'm just wondering if maybe the kit V8 is a conglomeration of parts and pieces of multiple engines.

[Deleted]

Dec 6, 2018 6:27:47 GMT -5 sportabout said:

Don't say it is CanHearEveryValveRapOnLongExtendedTrips 350 😨😨

It doesn't look like a GM motor either. Or at least none that I can see.

Steve

[Deleted]

Dec 6, 2018 7:14:14 GMT -5 tubbs said:

I got my 41 yeeeeaaaaarrrrsss ago, the stock engines are not in my position anymore. no doubt the best engine would be a 331 or a 392. and you shouldn't worry about the width of the motor cause the inner fender wells should be removed for a true gasser car. or you can cut them I guess. I have some really old ones with different valve covers. I will do some searching in my parts department and see what I can come up with. probably be next week, maybe tomorrow. model club and football tonight.

No hurry, Al. Just whenever you get a chance to look for it. I guess I'll plan to use a 392 if I can get my hands on one, so if you find a complete motor just plan on shipping it my way. Just let me know what you want for it, either $$$ or parts or pieces you're looking for.

Steve

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