Posted by George on Wednesday, May 01, 2002 at 8:59PM :
Please note, my email has changed to Gwellman@centurytel.net
Now regarding the Spitfires, I think they came in 250 and 265 versions with the bigger ones being introduced around 1952. Also, some of the V8s that followed the flatheads were called Spitfires. Search Google for Chrysler flatheads, Spitfires etc. Here are a couple interesting hits below.
If the Spitfire engines had more power, it wasn?t much more than the normal big block 6s, and according to Chrysler specs, less than some of the later versions of the 230. Note that the 1953 DeSoto had a 251 rated at 116 hp and the Chrysler had the 265 Spitfire rated at 119.
I think the most powerful version of this series was the 265 engine fitted with the factory dual carb dual exhaust manifold. You may recall seeing one of these on the wall at Vintage and I have managed to find a couple (not installed yet however). These engines were installed in trucks only, although I bought one of these from an old-timer in Canada and he said they were fitted to cars there. I have not been able to verify that.
http://www.home.eznet.net/~heiny/cars/flatheads.html
http://www.allpar.com/mopar/flat.html
George Wellman
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