Posted by Terry in CT [99.16.210.39] on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 20:47:12 :
In Reply to: Spitfire engine posted by Robert N. [174.76.22.35] on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 16:03:19 :
I copied this from the H.A.M.B. site, some good information.
AFAIK the "Spitfire" is identical to all the previous 251ci engines except for the letters on the head. I'll just copy and paste the 1951 info from my spec sheet:
Engine Type: L-Head, Inline 6 Cylinder
Engine Bore & Stroke: 3-7/16" X 4-1/2"
Engine Displacement: 250.6 Cu. In.
Compression Ratio: 7.00:1
Taxable Horsepower: 28.36
Horsepower: 116 @ 3,600 RPM
Torque: 208 Ft. Lbs. @ 1,600 RPM
Normal Oil Pressure: 60 PSI
The biggest and most powerful version of that engine they used was in the '54 Windsor:
Engine Bore & Stroke: 3-7/16" X 4-3/4"
Engine Displacement: 264.5 Cu. In.
Compression Ratio: 7.00:1
Taxable Horsepower: 28.36
Horsepower: 119 @ 3,600 RPM
Torque: 218 Ft. Lbs. @ 1,600 RPM
So as you can see, they're not really powerful, but they make a good amount of torque at REALLY low RPMs, so they work allright and cruise great. I saw a lot driving at the Chrysler Club national show in Minneapolis last year, and you can't even hear them running under 30mph. From everything I've read they were insanely reliable amd well-designed, but like all flatheads they're sort of inefficient, which was why they were replaced in Dodges and Plymouths with the slant six. They were still used in tractors and stuff up until the mid-70's though.
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