Re: IML: '55 w / 392 Engine

[PAUL WENTINK <randalpark@xxxxxxx>]

I believe that the 392 will bolt right up to the Powerflite, although I 
don't have a '57 or '58 Imperial to prove it. However, since your car 
has both, it must work. The two speed Powerflite transmission was used 
for many years after 1955, just not in the Imperial, except for the 
beginning of the '56 model run. I once knew a guy with a 1961 Dodge 
Phoenix that had a two speed Powerflite automatic transmission. I don't 
know if the car came that way, but it ran well for many years. If it 
did come that way, it means that the Powerflite was offered at least 
through 1961.

Paul W.

-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Nelson <dnelson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Fri, 15 Feb 2008 9:37 am
Subject: RE: IML: '55 w/'56 Engine



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



No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.20.4/1275 - Release Date:
2/12/2008 3:20 PM



No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.20.4/1275 - Release Date:
2/12/2008 3:20 PM



________________________________________________________________________
More new features than ever. Check out the new AOL Mail ! -
http://webmail.aol.com

----------------- http://www.imperialclub.com -----------------
This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please
reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be
shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the
Administrators should be sent to iml.webmonster@xxxxxxxxx
To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.20.4/1275 - Release Date: 
2/12/2008 3:20
PM


No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.20.4/1275 - Release Date: 
2/12/2008 3:20
PM



----------------- http://www.imperialclub.com -----------------
This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please
reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be
shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the
Administrators should be sent to iml.webmonster@xxxxxxxxx
To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm


________________________________________________________________________
More new features than ever.  Check out the new AOL Mail ! - 
http://webmail.aol.com

-----------------  http://www.imperialclub.com  -----------------
This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please
reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be
shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the
Administrators should be sent to iml.webmonster@xxxxxxxxx
To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm