RE: IML: '55 w/'56 Engine

["Dave Nelson" <dnelson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

It was replaced by the dealer under the factory warranty and I could have been wrong about it having the 354 instead of the 331. This is what I was told by the last owner (2nd) who knew the first owner. I do have the work order replacing the motor with a 392.Thanks for the information. I was wondering if they used the same transmission because it seems to only have two speeds and it still has the dash lever to shift with. Would it bolt right up? Dave

-----Original Message-----
From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of PAUL WENTINK
Sent: Friday, February 15, 2008 4:15 AM
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: IML: '55 w/'56 Engine

Very interesting since that engine was not introduced until the 1956 
model year. It should have come with a 331. I have a decent example of 
each, and there are too many differences to think that the factory 
would have installed a 1956 engine in the 1955 car. 1955 was the last 
year that the engine came with hardened valves and valve seats that can 
run on unleaded gas without causing valve recession. Tooling changes 
were not put into place until after 1955 production ceased.

Is it possible that this '55 received its newer engine at the dealer 
level rather than the factory?


Paul W.


-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Nelson <dnelson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 7:45 pm
Subject: RE: IML: '56 & '57 Chrysler and Imperial Engines




My 55 Imperial had a 354 Hemi from the factory and I have documentation 
that the dealer replaced it in 1957 with a 392 Hemi under the factory 
warranty for no charge. It was still running fine until 2004 when the 
last owner rebuilt it because it had some leaking from the main seal. 
My car looks like a twin to the black 1955 4 door Imperial from the 
California collection sent around last week. As far as values go, I 
think the cars are under valued by all of the price guides. I have been 
offered 45,000 for my 55 and I would not sell it for less than 75,000. 
I love these cars…I also enjoy all of you emails about the repairs and 
parts searches. I know of no other group like this group. I attended 
the Barrett-Jackson auction again this year and while many cars are not 
bringing premium prices, the older mopars are stepping up the pace. You 
may have seen the 36 Chrysler Airflow bring 88,000.00 There was nothing 
special about this car. It was restored to a level 3 by a novice, not a 
professional. The Mopars and the Mustangs were the targets of serious 
money this year.  Dave Nelson (55 Imperial)

 



 From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
[mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Joe Strickland
Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2008 3:54 PM
To: Imperial Mail List
Subject: IML: '56 & '57 Chrysler and Imperial Engines



 

I can vouch for the fact that a '56 Chrysler Windsor had a 333 cu. inch 
polyspherical combustion chamber engine.  The New Yorker and Imperial 
had the 354 cu. inch hemispherical combustion chamber engine.  In 1957 
the New Yorker and Imperial had a 392 cu. inch hemispherical combustion 
chamber engine.  The Chrysler Windsor and Saratoga models had engines 
of lesser displacement and were not hemispherical combustion chamber 
type.  I don't remember the displacements for the Windsor and Saratoga 
for '57, but it was not 318 (which would have been in a Plymouth or 
Dodge).  I believe the displacement on the Chrysler Windsor engine of 
1957 was at least 354 cu. inches or perhaps 360?  Perhaps someone else 
can weigh in on that issue.  I know the Chrysler Windsor and Saratoga 
models still had the polyspherical combustion chamber design with spark 
plugs entering from the side of the head more akin to the later 318 and 
413 engines.  The early 318 (1955-?) was a polyspherical head design 
while the later ones ('59 & up?) had the wedge head type design.

In any case the Imperial line always had the hemispherical combustion 
chamber engine from its introduction in 1951 through 1958.  In 1959 the 
413 wedge-head engine was introduced in the Imperial as well as the 
Chrysler line.  By then the Chrysler Windsor or Newport(?) likely had a 
383 cu. inch engine.

Joe

 

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