Michael14's 1959 Dodge Kingsway Discussion

[michael14]

5 hours ago, shrike said:

Expensive custom long rods/short pistons

Looks very expensive!

[michael14]

4 hours ago, 440bbm said:

I think you need to clarify a bunch of data. All the machine shop should be able to provide.

What is the block cu in.  what is it likely to require to clean up?    then can figure out the piston availabilty range. there is a metric buttload of piston manufacturers out there and from the small amount of looking it appears there is some about  but no point getting too serious without knowing what it is going to require at a minimum. They can measure the grrove depths and use that plus bore size and advise what it will likely need at a minimum.if they cant provide you this ort of info then take your engine elsewhere as they aren't that clever.

This is a very simple motor but quite different to the new stuff which does need to be treated and handled like it too. So you want to find someone that is capable / expreienced with these old girls.

check this, if it is the 3 7/16" bore.

UEM Pistons

I'm leaning the same direction - get the engine to the machinist and go from there for parts, like you say hopefully some recommendations from them.

[440bbm]

there is  a 3 7/16 bore, makes its the 237cui  

that link i posted has up to 60 thou oversize.  once you get someone to clarify that will be enough then you can go further. if the bore is needing to go bigger you will need to look to resleeve it if possible and got back to stock dia with new stock pistons which they also advertise.  

there is honestly a truckload of piston manufacturures out there, just a matter of finding one that has stock or will make them for you at a reasonable cost.  sealed power is another brand name that likely will.   try icon also.  any of the others are likely more $$ but may have an old set in stock?? wont know till you get a bit mroe data. 

the machine shop will be able to sort the valve seats too without too much trouble.   just get more info for us, so we can assist you the best way possible instead of pushing the cart in front of the horse.

seems bearings, and other parts all available too so you shouldnt be  in too much of a bad shape to get it going, i didnt look at the costs though but there is one thing i will say to you right now. chevs are cheap. fords are expensive and mopar, well hope you have deeper pockets.

[michael14]

15 minutes ago, 440bbm said:

there is  a 3 7/16 bore, makes its the 237cui  

that link i posted has up to 60 thou oversize.  once you get someone to clarify that will be enough then you can go further. if the bore is needing to go bigger you will need to look to resleeve it if possible and got back to stock dia with new stock pistons which they also advertise.  

there is honestly a truckload of piston manufacturures out there, just a matter of finding one that has stock or will make them for you at a reasonable cost.  sealed power is another brand name that likely will.   try icon also.  any of the others are likely more $$ but may have an old set in stock?? wont know till you get a bit mroe data. 

the machine shop will be able to sort the valve seats too without too much trouble.   just get more info for us, so we can assist you the best way possible instead of pushing the cart in front of the horse.

seems bearings, and other parts all available too so you shouldnt be  in too much of a bad shape to get it going, i didnt look at the costs though but there is one thing i will say to you right now. chevs are cheap. fords are expensive and mopar, well hope you have deeper pockets.

Wouldn't say deep but going to have to figure something out! Once the engine has been stripped down a bit more and tested for cracks, I'll report back. Timeline TBC

[shrike]

Hope this helps

1953	116	DeSoto Powermaster (S18)
1954	116	DeSoto Powermaster (S20)
1957-1958	117	Chrysler Royal/Chrysler Plainsman AP1 (AUS-made)
1958-1959	117	Chrysler Plainsman AP2 (AUS-made)
1958-1960	117	Chrysler Royal/Chrysler Wayfarer AP2 (AUS-made)
1960-1961	117	Chrysler Wayfarer AP3 (AUS-made)
1960-1964	117	Chrysler Royal AP3 (AUS-made)

All had the 251 according to Wikipedia 

[michael14]

1 hour ago, shrike said:

Hope this helps

1953	116	DeSoto Powermaster (S18)
1954	116	DeSoto Powermaster (S20)
1957-1958	117	Chrysler Royal/Chrysler Plainsman AP1 (AUS-made)
1958-1959	117	Chrysler Plainsman AP2 (AUS-made)
1958-1960	117	Chrysler Royal/Chrysler Wayfarer AP2 (AUS-made)
1960-1961	117	Chrysler Wayfarer AP3 (AUS-made)
1960-1964	117	Chrysler Royal AP3 (AUS-made)

All had the 251 according to Wikipedia 

Yeah this was my source of info too - I did find a couple of other 59 Canadian models on Wikipedia that came with a 251 (Dodge Mayfair is the only one I remember off hand

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Mayfair

I believe I found a couple of others, but can't recall which ones off hand!

[shrike]

2 minutes ago, michael14 said:

Yeah this was my source of info too - I did find a couple of other 59 Canadian models on Wikipedia that came with a 251 (Dodge Mayfair is the only one I remember off hand

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Mayfair

I believe I found a couple of others, but can't recall which ones off hand!

Could also be a bored out 242 or 224 (doubtful) do you have any markings on the block to confirm or did you just take measurements to confirm that its a 251 size wise?

At least you can track down pistons now

[michael14]

1 minute ago, shrike said:

Could also be a bored out 242 or 224 (doubtful) do you have any markings on the block to confirm or did you just take measurements to confirm that its a 251 size wise?

At least you can track down pistons now

The guy I'm working with said the engine has probably been reconditioned but didn't think it had been re bored before - I'd think the 224 would need to be too far bored out to make a 251, and both much earlier engines by the looks.