Chrysler flathead engine explained

Chrysler Flathead engine
Aka:Chrysler Sidevalve engine
Manufacturer:Chrysler Corporation
Production:1924 - 1964
Configuration:Side-valve
Fueltype:Gasoline
Block:Cast iron
Head:Cast iron
Fuelsystem:Carburetor

The Chrysler flathead engine is a flathead automotive engine manufactured by the Chrysler Corporation from 1924 through the early 1960s. The flathead engine came in four-,six-, and eight-cylinder configurations and varying displacement, with both a cast iron and cast aluminum cylinder head. It was installed in Chrysler, DeSoto, Dodge and Plymouth branded vehicles.

Straight-4

Chrysler introduced a straight-four in 1926 when the Maxwell Motor Corporation was re-organised into the Chrysler Corporation in 1925.[1] Initially used by Chrysler, the straight-four was fitted to Plymouth cars and Dodge light trucks beginning in 1929, lasting in production through 1933.

The original version displaced 3044cc and produced 38 hp (28 kW). This was only produced in 1926, with displacement reduced to 2791cc for 1927 and 1928. Power was initially rated the same but was upped to 45 hp (34 kW) during the 1928 model year.

After the introduction of the Plymouth brand in 1929, the base engine has been subjected to a major redesign and enlarged to 175.41NaN1 with the power rating remaining the same. It also equipped Dodge light trucks in 1929–1930. It was enlarged again to 3213cc in 1930 with 48 hp (36 kW). The engine was revised for 1931 with 56 hp (42 kW) and 1932 with 65 hp (48 kW) for Plymouth only, Dodge continued with the 48 hp (36 kW) from 1931 to 1933. A small-bore version was developed for export markets in 1931, with a narrower bore which brought the RAC rating down from 21 to 15.6 hp. For 1932 the bore was reduced further, bringing the tax horsepower rating to just beneath 15.5.

Chrysler did not offer a four-cylinder engine again until 1981 with the Chrysler 2.2 & 2.5 engine used in the Chrysler K platform.

DisplacementYear(s)HorsepowerApplicationsBoreStroke
185.77cuin192638Chrysler model F-58NaN1NaN1
170.29cuin192738Chrysler Series 50
192838-45Chrysler Series 52
192845Plymouth Model Q
175.45cuin192945Plymouth U
192945Dodge 1/2 Ton
193045Dodge U1-A/B/C
196.09cuin193048Plymouth 30U
193156Plymouth PA
193148Dodge UF-10, U1-B/C
193265Plymouth PB
193248Dodge E, UF-10, U1-B/C
193265Dodge DM (export model)
193348Dodge UF10, UG20/21
145.73cuin1931n/aPlymouth PAX (export model, 89 built)[2] NaN1NaN1
144.27cuin1932n/aPlymouth PBX (export model, 58 built)

Straight-6

The first six-cylinders was the B-Model (seven main bearings) and introduced in 1924 with the first Chrysler Corporation production, the B70.[1] An upscale version designated E-Model equipped the new Chrysler Imperial E80 in 1926, and a downscale one named H-Model followed in 1927 (Chrysler Series 70). After the purchase of Dodge Brothers Inc. in 1928, Chrysler Corporation had five straight-6s in production with the addition of the Victory and Senior Dodge Brothers engines.[1]

So, with the introduction of the new Desoto brand in 1929, came a new and cheaper to product six cylinders, the K-Model (four main bearings, deep skirts).[1] By mid-1930, it partially replaced the previous engines in varying displacements on passenger cars, in conjunction with an all-new straight-8 block. Only the Imperial's engine remains in production for the Dodge Trucks[1] 2-ton Models F-40 & K-50, 3-ton models F-60 & K-70, 2 & 3-ton Special, buses from 1930 to 1934-35. To replace these two engines, a new and very large six cylinders was launched in late 1936 (331 cu. in.). The 1956 C-3 Series was the last to use this big straight-6 (413 cu. in.).

In 1932, the Ford's V8 flathead launch shook up the market. The demand for larger engines was even for entry-level brands. A new straight-6 for Plymouth (PC/PD) and Dodge (DP/DQ) came in production in 1933 (shallow skirt, known as the "23 in block", with a head desk length of 580 mm), followed by a larger variant for Desoto (S3) and Chrysler Royal (C16) in 1937 ("25 in block" – 640 mm), marking the K-Model end. There is one exception to this: when Chrysler established an engine foundry in Windsor, Canada in 1938, it was decided to only use the long block for all Canadian-built engines. These engines received a trailing "C" in their designation, becoming P8C for example. Thanks to judicious dimensioning, the Canadian 201- and 218-cubic inch engines had nearly identical displacement to their American cousins.[3]

Beginning in 1938, the 201.33cuin inline-six was used in Massey Harris's Model 101 tractor (later known as the 101 Super). It continued to be used by Massey until 1940, when it was supplanted by the 217.76cuin.[4] In 1940, Chrysler's 2420NaN0 straight six went into Massey's 201 Super, which lasted until 1942.[4]

During World War II, the 250.6cuin flathead six was used as the basis for the Chrysler A57 multibank tank engine.[5]

The last automotive use of the Chrysler flathead inline-six was in 1968. It was replaced by the much more efficient OHV Slant-6 released in 1960, which appeared in most Dodge trucks starting in 1961. According to the Standard Catalog of American Light-Duty Trucks, the Dodge Power Wagon WM300 used the 251 inline flathead six until 1968, after which the Dodge WM300 was dropped for the 1969 production year. The flathead remained in production until the early 1970s for industrial and agricultural use.

DisplacementYearsHorsepowerApplicationsBoreStroke
201.45cuin1924-192568Chrysler B-70 Six 31NaN1 NaN1NaN1
288.63cuin192692Chrysler Series E-80 NaN1NaN151NaN1
1927-192892Chrysler Series 80
218.59cuin192668Chrysler Model G-70 NaN1NaN1NaN1NaN1
192768Chrysler Series 70
193075Chrysler Series 70 (early)
193068Chrysler Series 66 (late)
193168Chrysler Series 66
180.25cuin192754Chrysler Series 60 31NaN1NaN1NaN1
192854 (std.)
60 (opt.)
Chrysler Series 62
174.95cuin192955DeSoto Series K NaN1NaN1
193057DeSoto Series K
1932n/aChrysler Richmond (CIX; UK only)
1933n/aChrysler Richmond (COX; UK only)
189.83cuin1930-193261Dodge Series DD NaN1NaN1
193370Dodge Series DQ (CDN/export)
1930-193160DeSoto Series CK
193370 (std.)
76 (opt.)
Plymouth PC/PCXX/PD
160.67cuin1930n/aDeSoto Series CK (UK) NaN1NaN1
1930n/aDodge Series DD (UK)[6]
1931-1932n/aDeSoto Series SAX (export, late cars sold as "Chrysler Light Six")[7]
1933n/aPlymouth PCX/PCXXPDX/Chrysler Kew/Wimbledon (export models, 651 built)[8]
195.58cuin192965 (std.)
72 (opt.)
Chrysler Series 65 NaN1NaN1NaN1NaN1
193062Chrysler Series 66 (until Feb. 1930, longer in UK)
1930-193162Chrysler Series CJ
201.29cuin1938n/aPlymouth P5/P6 (Canada-made, late introduction) NaN1NaN1 NaN1NaN1
1938n/aDodge Series D9/D10 (Canada-made, late introduction)
1939n/aPlymouth P7/P8 (Canada-made)
1939n/aDodge Series D12/D13 (Canada-made)
201.33cuin193375 (std.)
81 (opt.)
Dodge Series DP NaN1NaN1NaN1NaN1
193477Dodge Series DT (CDN/export)
77 (std.)
82 (opt.)
Plymouth PE/PF/PFXX/PG
Chrysler Wimbledon (UK)
193582Dodge Series DV/DV-6 (CDN/export)
Plymouth Model PJ
Chrysler Wimbledon (UK)
193682Dodge Series D-3/D-4 (CDN/export)
Plymouth P1/P2
Chrysler Wimbledon (UK)
193782Dodge Series D6/D7 (CDN/export)
82 (std.)
65 (Economy)
Plymouth P3/P4
Chrysler Kew/Wimbledon (UK)
70Plymouth PT50 (commercials)
193882Dodge Series D9/D10 (CDN/export)
82 (std.)
65 (Economy)
86 (opt.)
Plymouth P5/P6
Chrysler Kew/Wimbledon (UK)
70Plymouth PT57 (commercials)
193982Dodge Series D12 (export)
82 (std.)
86 (opt.)
Plymouth P7/P8
Chrysler Kew/Wimbledon (UK)
70Plymouth PT81 (commercials)
194084 (std.)
87 (opt.)
Plymouth P9/P10
79Plymouth PT105 (commercials)
194187 (std.)
92 (opt.)
Plymouth P11/P12
82Plymouth PT125 (commercials)
170.41cuin1931n/aDodge Series DH (UK) NaN1NaN1
1931-1932n/aChrysler CMX (UK, from Aug. 1931)
1932-1933n/aDeSoto SCX/Chrysler Mortlake (UK)
1933n/aDeSoto SDX/Chrysler Wimbledon (UK)
1933n/aDodge Series DP Victory (UK)
1934n/aDodge Series DR Victory (UK)
1934n/aPlymouth PEX/PFX (export models, 1529 built)[9]
Chrysler Kew/Wimbledon (UK)
1935n/aDodge Series DUX Victory (UK)
1935n/aPlymouth PJX (export models, 754 built)
Chrysler Kew (UK)
1936n/aDodge Series D2X Victory (UK)
1936n/aPlymouth P1X/P2X (export models, 661 built with P2X engine code, plus 35 Dodge D-3/D-4)
Chrysler Kew (UK)
1937n/aDesoto Series S3X (export models)
1937n/aDodge Series D5X (UK)
1937n/aPlymouth P3X/P4X (export models, 657 built with P4X engine code, plus 39 Dodge D6X)
Chrysler Kew (UK)
1938n/aDesoto Series S5X (export models)
1938n/aDodge Series D8X (export models)
1938n/aPlymouth P5X/P6X (export models, 333 built with P6X engine code)
81 Dodge D9X)
Chrysler Kew (UK)
1939n/aDesoto Series S6X (export models)
1939n/aDodge Series D11X (export model, unknown production)
1939n/aPlymouth P7/P8 (export models, 273 built plus 38 Dodge D12X and some DeSoto-badged SP7X/SP8X)
Chrysler Kew (UK)
1940n/aDodge Series D14X (export models none built)
194070Plymouth P9X/P10X (export models, one built/none built)
1941n/aDodge Series D19X (export models, unknown production)
1941n/aPlymouth P11X/P12X (export models, unknown production)
208cuin1927-192858Dodge Standard Six (140/141/J)
Dodge Victory Six (130/131/M)
NaN1NaN1 NaN1NaN1
1929-193063Dodge Series DA
211.54cuin193168Dodge Series DH NaN1NaN1 NaN1NaN1
193274Dodge Series DH
217.76cuin193178Chrysler Series CM-6 NaN1NaN1
193278Chrysler Series CM-6
193275DeSoto Series SC
193279Dodge Series DL
193382DeSoto S-All
193482Dodge Series DR/DRXX
87Dodge Series DR (opt.)/DS (std.)
193587Dodge Series DU
193687Dodge Series D2
193787Dodge Series D5
193887Dodge Series D8
193987Dodge Series D11/D11S
194087Dodge Series D14/D17
Dodge Series D15 (US-made for export)
194191Dodge Series D19
Dodge Series D20 (US-made for export)
194295Plymouth S-All
194295Dodge Series D23 (US-made for export)
1946-194995Plymouth S-All
194997Plymouth S-All
195097Plymouth S-All
195197Plymouth S-All
195297Plymouth S-All
1953100Plymouth S-All
1954100Plymouth S-All (Early)
218.06cuin1939n/a Dodge D11 (Canada-made) NaN1NaN1 NaN1NaN1
194084.25Dodge Series D14/D15 (Canada-made)
1940n/aPlymouth P9/P10 (Canada-made)
194188Dodge Series D20/D21 (Canada-made)
194188Plymouth P11/P12 (Canada-made)
194288Dodge Series D23 (Canada-made)
194288Plymouth P14 (Canada-made)
1946-early 194995Plymouth P15S & P15C (Canada-made)
Dodge D25S & D25S (Canada-made)
194997Plymouth P17 & P18
(Canada-made)
Dodge D31 & D32 (Canada-made)
195097Plymouth P22 & P23
(Canada-made)
Dodge D35 & D36 (Canada-made)
1951-195297Plymouth P22 & P23
(Canada-made)
Dodge D39 & D40 (Canada-made)
195397Plymouth P24-1, P24-2 & P24-3 (Canada-made)
Dodge D49-1 & D49-2 (Canada-made)
223.99cuin1927-192860Dodge Senior Six (Series 2249) NaN1NaN1 NaN1NaN1
192868Dodge Senior Six (Series 2251/2252)
193282Chrysler Series CI
Chrysler Kingston (UK)
193383 (std.)
89 (opt.)
Chrysler Series CO
Chrysler Kingston (UK)
228.13cuin193793DeSoto Series S-3
Chrysler Richmond (UK; 1937–1938)
NaN1NaN1 NaN1NaN1
193793 (std.)
100 (opt.)
Chrysler Series C-16
193893 (std.)
100 (opt.)
DeSoto Series S-5
1939DeSoto Series S-6
1940100 (std.)
105 (opt.)
DeSoto Series S-7
DeSoto Series S-7S (Canada-made)
1941100
105
110
DeSoto Series S-8 DeLuxe
DeSoto Series S-8 Custom
DeSoto Series S-8 (optional)
1942105Dodge D22C (Canada-made)
1946-Early 1949105Dodge D24 (Canada-made)
1949105Dodge D30 Custom (Canada-made)
1950105Dodge D34 Custom (Canada-made)
1951-1952105Dodge D42 Coronet (Canada-made)
1953115

101 (bhp)
Dodge D43-1, D43-2 & D43-3 (Canada-made w/ Hy-Drive)
Dodge D43 (Australia-built)
1954115Plymouth P25-1, P25-2 & P25-3 (Canada-made)
Dodge D49-1 & D49-2 (Canada made)
1955115Plymouth P26-1, P26-2 & P26-3 (Canada-made, w/ manual transmission)
Dodge D54-1, D54-2 & D54-4 (Canada-made, w/ manual transmission)
230.21cuin1942105Dodge Series D22 NaN1NaN1 NaN1NaN1
1946-1949102Dodge S-All
1949103Dodge S-All
1950103Dodge S-All
1951103Dodge S-All
1952103Dodge S-All
1953103Dodge S-D-46, D-47
1954110Plymouth S-All (from February 26[10])
1954110Dodge S-All I-6
1955117Plymouth S-All I-6
1955123Dodge S-Coronet I-6
1956125Plymouth S-all exc Fury, Belvedere cvt
1956131Plymouth O-all exc Fury, Belvedere cvt
1956131Dodge S-Coronet I-6
1957-1958115Chrysler Royal/Chrysler Plainsman AP1 (AUS-made)
1957132Plymouth S-All exc Fury, Belvedere, cvt
1957138Dodge S-Coronet I-6
1958132Plymouth S-All exc Fury, Belvedere cvt
1958138Dodge S-Coronet I-6
1959132Plymouth S-Savoy, Belvedere, Suburban exc. Custom 9P, Fury, Sport Fury
1959138Dodge S-Coronet I-6
236.65cuin1942115DeSoto Series S-10 NaN1NaN1 NaN1NaN1
1946-1949109DeSoto S-All
1949112DeSoto S-All
1950112DeSoto S-All
1951112DeSoto S-All
241.55cuin192978Dodge Series S NaN1NaN1 NaN1NaN1
1929-193078Dodge Series DB
1934100DeSoto Series SE (aka Chrysler CY/Croydon, until 1936 in UK)
193493 (std.)
100 (opt.)
Chrysler Series CA/CB
193593DeSoto Series SF
100DeSoto Series SG
1935100Chrysler O-C-6
193593Chrysler S-C-6
193693DeSoto Airstream Series S-1
100DeSoto Airflow Series S-2
193693 (std.)
100 (opt.)
Chrysler Series C-7
193895 (std.)
102 (opt.)
Chrysler Series C-18
1939100 (std.)
107 (opt.)
Chrysler Series C-22
1940108 (std.)
112 (opt.)
Chrysler Royal/Windsor
1941108
112
115 (opt.)
Chrysler Royal
Chrysler Windsor
Chrysler Royal/Windsor
248.87cuin192875 (std.)
85 (opt.)
Chrysler Series 72 NaN1NaN1 51NaN1
192975 (std.)
84 (opt.)
Chrysler Series 75
250.58cuin1942120Chrysler Royal/Windsor (C-34) NaN1NaN1 NaN1NaN1
1946-1949114Chrysler Royal/Windsor (C38)
1949116Chrysler Royal/Windsor (C45)
1950116Chrysler Royal/Windsor (C48)
1951-1952116DeSoto Deluxe/Custom (S15)
1951116Chrysler Windsor, Deluxe (C51)
1953116DeSoto Powermaster (S18)
1954116DeSoto Powermaster (S20)
1957-1958117Chrysler Royal/Chrysler Plainsman AP1 (AUS-made)
1958-1959117Chrysler Plainsman AP2 (AUS-made)
1958-1960117Chrysler Royal/Chrysler Wayfarer AP2 (AUS-made)
1960-1961117Chrysler Wayfarer AP3 (AUS-made)
1960-1964117Chrysler Royal AP3 (AUS-made)
264.5cuin1952119Chrysler Windsor, Deluxe (C51) NaN1NaN1 NaN1NaN1
1953Chrysler Windsor, Deluxe (C60)
1954Chrysler Windsor Deluxe (C62)
268.39cuin1930-193293Chrysler Series 70 NaN1NaN1 51NaN1
1930Chrysler Series 77
288.63cuin192692 Chrysler Imperial Series E-80 NaN1NaN1
1927Chrysler Imperial Series 80
309.62cuin1928100 (std.)
112 (opt.)
Chrysler Imperial Series 80L NaN1NaN1
1929-1930Chrysler Imperial Series L-80
331.34cuin1937-1940100Dodge ML/RL-50/53,
Dodge MK/RK-60/63,
Dodge RX-70/71,
Dodge DB8,
Dodge VL/VLA-50,
Dodge VK/VKA-60/63
NaN1NaN1 51NaN1
1940-1942110Dodge DC8, DD-8
Dodge WK, WL
1946-1953128 (std.)Dodge WK/WR,
Dodge B-1-T/TA/V/VA,
Dodge B-2/3/4-T/TL/TA/TAL,
Dodge B-2/3/4-V/VL/VA/VAL,
Dodge B-1/2/3-VX,
Dodge DE/DF/DG-8/9,
Dodge DH-9/10
1951-1953145
(2 carb. opt.)
Dodge B-2/3/4-T/TL/TA/TAL,
Dodge B-2/3/4-V/VL/VA/VAL,
Dodge B-1/2/3-VX,
Dodge DG-8/9, Dodge DH-9/10
281.64cuin1946-1947115Dodge WJNaN1NaN1
1948-1949115Dodge B-1-R/RA/RS,
Dodge DE-7
306.49cuin1950-1953122 (std.)Dodge B-2/3/4-R/RL/RA/RAL/RS,
Dodge DF/DG-7, DH-8
NaN1NaN1
1951-1953137
(2 carb. opt.)
Dodge B-2/3/4-R/RL/RA/RAL/RS,
Dodge DG-7, DH-8
376.99cuin1950-1953154 std.
w/2 carb.
Dodge B-2/3/4-Y/YA/YX 41NaN151NaN1
413.17cuin1954-1956171 std.
w/2 carb.
Dodge C-1-Y/YA/YX,
Dodge DH-11/12,
Dodge C-3-Y6/YL6/YA6/YAL6/YX6/YXL6
NaN1NaN1NaN1NaN1

Straight-8

The new in-line 8-cylinder engine is largely based on the six-cylinder engine that appeared on the Desoto Model K. It has five main levels, the central one being wider.[1] When the engineers had to rebore the cylinders to 3-1/2 inches, the space between each pair of cylinders was modified. This applies to all blocks with the same bore.In the case of the Imperial (CG, CH) then Custom imperial (CL, CW), a new and unique straight-8 engine was created with 9 main bearings and equipped with a two-barrel downdraft carburetor. From the CW model, the cylinder head is made of aluminium. It also powered the Dodge Trucks G-80 models (1931-1934) and Fargo buses (1930-1932).[1]

DisplacementYearsHorsepowerApplicationsBoreStroke
207.74cuin1930-193170DeSoto Series CFNaN1NaN1 41NaN1
220.72cuin1930-193275Dodge Series DC (discontinued September 1931)NaN1NaN1
1931-193277DeSoto Series CF
240.33cuin1931-193284Dodge Series DG31NaN1
193180Chrysler Series CD (until January 1931)
260.78cuin193188Chrysler Series CD (from January 1931)NaN1NaN1
273.76cuin193390 (std.)
98 (opt.)
Chrysler Series CTNaN1NaN1 NaN1NaN1
1935105 (std.)
110 (opt.)
Chrysler Series CZ
1936Chrysler Series C-8
1937110 (std.)
115 (opt.)
Chrysler Imperial Series C-14
282.06cuin1931100Chrysler DeLuxe CD SeriesNaN1NaN1
1932100Chrysler Series CD
193290 (std.)
100 (opt.)
Dodge Series DK
1933100 (std.)
94 (opt.)
Dodge Series DO
298.65cuin1932100Chrysler Series CP (Chrysler Hurlingham in the UK) NaN1NaN1
1933100 (std.)
108 (opt.)
Chrysler Imperial Series CQ
1934122Chrysler Series CU
1938110 (std.)
122 (opt.)
Chrysler Series C-19
Dodge Custom Eight (UK)[11]
323.53cuin1934130Chrysler Imperial/Custom Imperial Series CV/CX NaN1NaN1
1935115 (std.)
120 (opt.)
Chrysler Series C-1
130 (std.)
138 (opt.)
Chrysler Imperial Series C-2/C-3
1936115Chrysler Series C-9
130Chrysler Imperial Series C-10/C-11
1937130 (std.)
138 (opt.)
Chrysler Imperial Custom/Airflow Series C-15/C-17
1938130 (std.)
138 (opt.)
Chrysler Custom Imperial Series C-20
1939130Chrysler Series C-23
132 (std.)
138 (opt.)
Chrysler Series C-24
1940132
135
143 (opt.)
Chrysler C-27
Chrysler C-26
Chrysler C-26/C-27
1941137Chrysler C-30
140Chrysler C-30 (opt.)/C-33
1942140Chrysler C-36/C-37
1946-1950135Chrysler Saratoga/New Yorker
384.84cuin1931-1932125Chrysler Series CGNaN1NaN1 51NaN1
1932125Chrysler Imperial/Custom Imperial CH/CL
1933125 (std.)
135 (opt.)
Chrysler Custom Imperial CL
1934-1935150Chrysler Custom Imperial Series CW

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Weertman, Willem L. . Chrysler Engines, 1922-1998 . SAE International . Warrendale, PA . 978-0-7680-1642-0 .
  2. Book: Lee, John . SCchr . Standard Catalog of Chrysler, 1924-1990 . Krause Publications, Inc. . Iola, WI . 367 . 1990 . 0-87341-142-0 .
  3. [#SCchr|Lee]
  4. Book: Pripps, Robert N. . 2001 . The big book of Massey tractors . 1-55192-423-4 . . . 46991918.
  5. Book: Berndt, Thomas . Standard Catalog of U.S. Military Vehicles . 1993 . Krause Publications . 0-87341-223-0 . 193 .
  6. Book: Sedgwick, Michael . AZ30 . A-Z of Cars of the 1930s . Gillies . Mark . Bay View Books . 1989 . 70 . Bideford, Devon, UK . 1-870979-38-9 .
  7. [#AZ30|Sedgwick]
  8. [#SCchr|Lee]
  9. [#SCchr|Lee]
  10. Book: Zavitz, R. Perry . The Postwar Plymouths Changing Personalities From Staid to Flashy . Standard Catalog of Chrysler, 1924-1990 . John . Lee . Krause Publications, Inc. . Iola, WI . 119 . 1990 . 0-87341-142-0 .
  11. [#AZ30|Sedgwick]