Re: Spitfire Engine Identification


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Posted by Tim Kingsbury on Saturday, January 01, 2005 at 10:31PM :

In Reply to: Spitfire Engine Identification posted by Tim Robinson on Saturday, January 01, 2005 at 8:52PM :

Howdy Tim -

Well the spitfire was in production as an engine from 1936 up to 1956 and came in a lot of engine size combinations. Basically the spitfire was a marketing deal, and is no different than an equiv. engine that was available in a Dodge truck. So for example a 1952 spitfire is a 265 ci engine. That engine was 120 hp (although I know it is recorded as everything from 105-125 on websites) and with out the spitfire markings on the head, the engine was available in 2 ton - 4 ton trucks and in 3 ton and heavier trucks you could get it with factory dual carbs and dual exhaust at 136 hp.

So lets get back to identification. Spitfire
engines were never industrial, although a person could buy the car engine and put it in an industrial application. They came in a car version and a marine version.

Your 870102-2 number is the part number of the head. The 870729-5 is a block part number.

Two number you should be able to find. Top drivers side of the block just below the head is the engine serial number. for example, my 1953 Chrylser Windsor starts with
"c53" also on the drivers side down by the oil filler is a casting date.. The format changed from the 30's to the 50's but
something like 11-06-53 would be Nov 6 1953.

This is the date the block was cast. Not all
blocks with have it, but lets say 99% do. I could go into a two page explanation as to
why some don't, and it is not a replacement block. When blocks are cast they have no idea what they are used for or where they are going.

If the engine is late 40's or newer, then it is a 3 7/16" bore, in which case it is super easy to tell how many cubic inches it is or verify after knowing the serial number and casting date.. On the top of the engine, towards the back of the head there is a brass inspection plug. Take that out, and measure the stroke (distance between top dead center and bottom dead center) and if it is 4 1/2" then it is a 250 ci motor and if it is 4 3/4" stroke it is a 265 ci motor.
Also in the 3 7/16" stroke series, but not
a spitfire was a 4 1/4" stroke which would be
a 238 ci motor. Of course if it has been bored that adds to the cubic inches.

Now also something to remember on an engine hanging around. You could put the spitfire head on any Canadian built engine (25 1/2" block) built from 1936 to 1959, so just because it has a spitfire head, it may be on any block. Of course if it is 4 3/4" stroke it has to be 1952 or newer. The 265 spitfire was made from 1952-1954 actually, although the 265 ci motor was made until sept 1959
and the spitfire head as a replacement part was still available in the late 60's at chrysler dealerships.

There you have it.. If I can be of any help
drop me a line. Just recovering from a lengthy illness so I am close to the computer for consulting !

Take care

Tim



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