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1957 Dodge wagon questions.
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local2Ed
Posted 2014-10-16 6:26 PM (#459449)
Subject: 1957 Dodge wagon questions.


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I just started to bring back to life a 1957 Dodge Station Wagon and I have a few questions;

1) The number on the top of the engine block reads KDS 149895, is this a 325 cuin. ?

2) Which spark plugs do I use? When I look up on Napa or Rock auto they show both a 3/8" reach and a 3/4" reach. Which one should I use?
The Motors Manual says Autolite AR 42, which I can't cross reference and when I pulled the plugs I found 6 Bosch #436 which I could not even find on the Bosch spark plug site, 1 AC R46sx and 1 AC R46s.

Thanks, Ed.
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grunau
Posted 2014-10-16 9:36 PM (#459468 - in reply to #459449)
Subject: Re: 1957 Dodge wagon questions.


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Hi

You did not specify if your Dodge is U.S. or Canadian Built , the engine number has no meaning for me as I don't have the reference material to decipher the numbers. But as for your spark plugs...the Autolite AR42 is the original Autolite number when Autolite was still Autolite & crosses roughly to a 3/8" reach Champion RJ14Y or an RJ14YC. (Actual cross is to a J13Y but those have not been around for years) Autolite was for years the standard plug in Chrysler products. The AC's Cross over to a Champion RJ18YC and An RJ18YC6. both are 3/8" reach plugs and are Hotter than the specified AR42's (RJ14Y). I have no idea about the Bosch plugs so they remain an unknown quantity as I don't do Bosch or NGK...
As far as which plug to use you took out 3/8" so use the 3/8" reach plugs. If your Dodge is U.S built the engine will be a 325 and by the fact that 3/8" plugs came out its most likely a single rocker shaft "Polysphere" which uses the 3/8" plug. The 325 "Hemi" uses the 3/4" reach plugs. If your Dodge is Canadian built the engine will be a 303 or a 313 and both use the 3/8" reach plug.



Edited by grunau 2014-10-16 10:04 PM
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d500neil
Posted 2014-10-17 1:18 AM (#459486 - in reply to #459468)
Subject: Re: 1957 Dodge wagon questions.



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KDS is 1957 U.S. Dodge engine prefix.

Since both engines have 'Poly'-size /heads, you can try using the deeper 3/4" reach spark plugs, but you may need to use the stamped 'washers' that go around the spark plugs'
threads, as the Hemi's aluminum plug-tubes act as de facto washers.

I forget off-hand what the spark plug gap may be, but start out with a good gap distance.
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grunau
Posted 2014-10-17 10:35 AM (#459518 - in reply to #459449)
Subject: RE: 1957 Dodge wagon questions.


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Hi
The spark plug gap is .035" and I must strongly disagree to the use of the 3/4" reach plugs!!!! Engine damage may/will result if 3/4" reach plugs are used in the Single Rocker shaft engine. I've seen that mistake made and its not pretty.
Only the Double rocker shaft "HEMI" uses the 3/4" reach plug. The problem here is that in '57 both varieties of engines had the 325 cubic inch displacement so the fact that if its a single rocker shaft(Poly) or dual rocker shaft(Hemi) makes one heck of a difference!!
If you're not sure what the engines look like please post a photo and you'll get a positive ID.


For d500neil , sir with all due respect,  what justification are you using to suggest the use of the 3/4" reach plug in a Polysphere engine? By your Avitar its appears you own a Custom Royal most likely equipped with the Double Rocker shaft Hemi so I'm surprised you would make such a suggestion.

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local2Ed
Posted 2014-10-17 11:08 AM (#459521 - in reply to #459449)
Subject: RE: 1957 Dodge wagon questions.


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I found a seller on E-Bay that has the Auto-lite AR 42 plug and it confirmed that they are 3/8" reach.
The reason I was concerned is when I pulled the plugs I have three different plug numbers from two different makes and that none were the correct number so I didn't want to chance the 3/8 reach on them was correct.

Neil, thanks for the info on the engine prefix KDS.
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local2Ed
Posted 2014-10-17 11:13 AM (#459523 - in reply to #459518)
Subject: RE: 1957 Dodge wagon questions.


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I know what a Hemi looks like and it's not what I have.
If any of the parts site stated the 3/4" reach was for the Hemi it would have been self-explanatory but the specs/descriptions on the two plug reaches didn't specify why the different lengths.
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wayfarer
Posted 2014-10-17 11:30 AM (#459524 - in reply to #459449)
Subject: Re: 1957 Dodge wagon questions.



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...you do have search capabilities on your 'puter, do you not? http://www.sparkplug-crossreference.com/
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local2Ed
Posted 2014-10-17 12:33 PM (#459529 - in reply to #459524)
Subject: Re: 1957 Dodge wagon questions.


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wayfarer - 2014-10-17 11:30 AM

...you do have search capabilities on your 'puter, do you not? http://www.sparkplug-crossreference.com/



Put in Autolite AR42 and tell me what you get.

Been there done that long before I posted this question.
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mstrug
Posted 2014-10-17 12:54 PM (#459534 - in reply to #459449)
Subject: Re: 1957 Dodge wagon questions.



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Prolly a poly. Does the valve cover have scallops along the bottom edge? marc. First pic is a Plymouth engine.

Edited by mstrug 2014-10-17 12:59 PM




(polydualquad.jpg)



(polydodge.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments polydualquad.jpg (9KB - 184 downloads)
Attachments polydodge.jpg (12KB - 184 downloads)
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local2Ed
Posted 2014-10-17 5:15 PM (#459554 - in reply to #459534)
Subject: Re: 1957 Dodge wagon questions.


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mstrug - 2014-10-17 12:54 PM

Prolly a poly. Does the valve cover have scallops along the bottom edge? marc. First pic is a Plymouth engine.


It's a poly for sure. The problem was Napa, Autozone, and Rock auto are showing 3/8" reach and 3/4" reach plugs for a 325 cuin. with no explanation that one is for a hemi,etc.

Original plug is a AR42 with 3/8" reach.
Autolite 85 is what Rock Auto says is the correct plug, has the correct 3/8" reach.

Thanks for the replys.
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udoittwo
Posted 2014-10-22 11:11 AM (#459955 - in reply to #459449)
Subject: RE: 1957 Dodge wagon questions.


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The longer reach 3/4" is to get more threads surface so you won't blow the plugs out of the soft aluminum or the high compression heads. Some big blocks use 3/4 also.
Unless you are building a totally correct car, I'd suggest staying away from NOS period correct[1957] non-resisto plugs even though they may be absolutly correct as they will not be resistor and you might not like all the static.
If your motor is built up, performance wise with high compression but still running factory cast iron heads, you should run a colder plug such as an AC R43S or if you drive harder than "normal", use AC R44S. If you drive around town, highway, average driving, use the hotter R45S. If you take it out only for shows or parades, ect. you might want to run a hotter R46S.
For the average driver I would use and AC DELCO - R45S, same as CHAMPION - RJ12Y or RJ12YC, BOSCH - WR10F, AUTOLITE - 86, MOTORCRAFT - AR52.
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wayfarer
Posted 2014-10-22 12:00 PM (#459956 - in reply to #459529)
Subject: Re: 1957 Dodge wagon questions.



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local2Ed - 2014-10-17 9:33 AM

wayfarer - 2014-10-17 11:30 AM

...you do have search capabilities on your 'puter, do you not? http://www.sparkplug-crossreference.com/



Put in Autolite AR42 and tell me what you get.

Been there done that long before I posted this question.


..interesting....a browser search does not show anything for the ar42.....perhaps they were part of some super secret engine development programme that...........

Try here: http://championsparkplugs.com/Default.asp

Edited by wayfarer 2014-10-22 12:22 PM
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udoittwo
Posted 2014-10-22 1:47 PM (#459961 - in reply to #459449)
Subject: RE: 1957 Dodge wagon questions.


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An AR42 same as a MOPAR P3-5P or AC R44S, which would work fine also but might foul sooner with low compression or lite driving.
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udoittwo
Posted 2014-10-22 1:54 PM (#459962 - in reply to #459449)
Subject: RE: 1957 Dodge wagon questions.


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An AR42 same as a MOPAR P3-5P or AC R44S would work fine but might foul sooner with low compression or lite driving.
Actually, fuels today require a hotter spark. Where a car back in 1957 came with a colder AR42 today would take a hotter AR52. Again, the AR42 is fine but for longer life, use the AR52.
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local2Ed
Posted 2014-12-09 8:19 PM (#464148 - in reply to #459449)
Subject: RE: 1957 Dodge wagon questions.


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Same car 325cuin.
On the cover that holds the air filter on there is a round disk with some type of filtering element in it. As you remove the wingnut to gain access to the filter it is mounted through the bolt hole that holds the cover in place.
On mine it is deteriorating and am afraid bits may get sucked into the carb.
What is it filtering?
Has anybody replaced theirs with something else?

Thanks.
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d500neil
Posted 2014-12-11 1:53 AM (#464300 - in reply to #464148)
Subject: Re: 1957 Dodge wagon questions.



Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

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Going way-back to my message, above, altho I don't, now, have access to my car files, the factory literature that I recall reading states that the 3//4" reach plugs "require" the usage of the
spark plug base gaskets.....maybe those gaskets' width takes up the extra overall length of the 3/4" reach spark plugs.



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