Big John
Sit back, relax Don't bitch about the cigar smoke
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2008
- Messages
- 5,057
- Reaction score
- 81
So... I haven't updated anyone on my progress with the Chrysler. I got it running right after I got it, but there was an issue with oil pressure... or more accurately the lack of oil pressure. The water jackets are full of mud, and the oil pan full of sludge. I decided its time to pull the engine and go through it.
First issue, the engine is a 251 from a 1950 Chrysler, my car is a 1953. That's not too big a deal but the '53 has a 265 cubic inch engine. The big difference between the two engines are the crankshaft and rods. The blocks are the same, as are the pistons and everything else. I couldn't seem to find a 265, but I found a crank and rods in Seattle.
I got ambitious today and started getting the engine ready to pull. Here's what I found... this scared me...
In the first pic, you are looking up at the driver's side of the engine. The black thing in the top of the pic is the starter. Its missing one bolt at the top and the brace that goes from the block to the bellhousing.

Second pic is the passenger side from the bottom up. This time there's a bolt in the top hole, but its sticking out. No brace on this side either.

OK, there's two bolts on the side... what about the top of the bellhousing? I couldn't get a pic... but the two bolts at the top of the bellhousing are missing too!! There is only two bolts holding the engine to the bellhousing!!! WTF????
The third pic shows my "Poor man's lift".

First issue, the engine is a 251 from a 1950 Chrysler, my car is a 1953. That's not too big a deal but the '53 has a 265 cubic inch engine. The big difference between the two engines are the crankshaft and rods. The blocks are the same, as are the pistons and everything else. I couldn't seem to find a 265, but I found a crank and rods in Seattle.
I got ambitious today and started getting the engine ready to pull. Here's what I found... this scared me...
In the first pic, you are looking up at the driver's side of the engine. The black thing in the top of the pic is the starter. Its missing one bolt at the top and the brace that goes from the block to the bellhousing.

Second pic is the passenger side from the bottom up. This time there's a bolt in the top hole, but its sticking out. No brace on this side either.

OK, there's two bolts on the side... what about the top of the bellhousing? I couldn't get a pic... but the two bolts at the top of the bellhousing are missing too!! There is only two bolts holding the engine to the bellhousing!!! WTF????
The third pic shows my "Poor man's lift".
