The
FirePower was Chrysler's first V8 engine; prior Chrysler 8-cyliners, dating to 1931, were in-line eights. Introduced in the Fall of 1950 for the 1951 model year, the FirePower had hemispherical combustion chambers, leading some to refer to this engine as the
early Hemi or Generation 1 hemi. It was replaced by the
Chrysler RB engineThe RB engine is a big-block V8 engine from Chrysler. It first appeared in 1959 and was a raised-deck version of the Chrysler B engine. The big-block RB lasted until 1978. All RB engines have a 3.75 in stroke, with the bore being the defining factor in engine size. Bore center distance is 4.84"...
in 1959, though a different version of the hemi heads would live again in the RB-based 426"
Chrysler Hemi engineA Chrysler Hemi engine, known by the trademark Hemi, is a series of V8 internal combustion engines built by Chrysler that utilize a hemispherical combustion chamber. Chrysler built three generations of hemi engines for automobiles: the first from 1951 - 1958, the second from 1964 - 1971, and the...
in 1964.
Chrysler,
DodgeDodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, sport utility vehicles, and pickup trucks, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide....
(
Red Ram), and
DeSotoThe DeSoto was a brand of automobile based in the United States, manufactured and marketed by the Chrysler Corporation from 1928 to 1961. The DeSoto logo featured a stylized image of Hernando de Soto.- 1929–1942 :...
(
FireDome) all built their own versions of this engine (but not
PlymouthPlymouth was a marque of automobile based in the United States, marketed by the Chrysler Corporation and DaimlerChrysler.-Origins:...
which stayed with
poly-head enginesPlymouth Poly "A" EnginesThe Plymouth poly A engine is a small-block V8 automobile engine from Chrysler Corporation. It was produced from 1956 until 1967, when it was replaced by the improved wedge-head Chrysler LA engine. These two V8s look similar but have different cylinder heads and intake...
).
The
FirePower was Chrysler's first V8 engine; prior Chrysler 8-cyliners, dating to 1931, were in-line eights. Introduced in the Fall of 1950 for the 1951 model year, the FirePower had hemispherical combustion chambers, leading some to refer to this engine as the
early Hemi or Generation 1 hemi. It was replaced by the
Chrysler RB engineThe RB engine is a big-block V8 engine from Chrysler. It first appeared in 1959 and was a raised-deck version of the Chrysler B engine. The big-block RB lasted until 1978. All RB engines have a 3.75 in stroke, with the bore being the defining factor in engine size. Bore center distance is 4.84"...
in 1959, though a different version of the hemi heads would live again in the RB-based 426"
Chrysler Hemi engineA Chrysler Hemi engine, known by the trademark Hemi, is a series of V8 internal combustion engines built by Chrysler that utilize a hemispherical combustion chamber. Chrysler built three generations of hemi engines for automobiles: the first from 1951 - 1958, the second from 1964 - 1971, and the...
in 1964.
Chrysler,
DodgeDodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, sport utility vehicles, and pickup trucks, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide....
(
Red Ram), and
DeSotoThe DeSoto was a brand of automobile based in the United States, manufactured and marketed by the Chrysler Corporation from 1928 to 1961. The DeSoto logo featured a stylized image of Hernando de Soto.- 1929–1942 :...
(
FireDome) all built their own versions of this engine (but not
PlymouthPlymouth was a marque of automobile based in the United States, marketed by the Chrysler Corporation and DaimlerChrysler.-Origins:...
which stayed with
poly-head enginesPlymouth Poly "A" EnginesThe Plymouth poly A engine is a small-block V8 automobile engine from Chrysler Corporation. It was produced from 1956 until 1967, when it was replaced by the improved wedge-head Chrysler LA engine. These two V8s look similar but have different cylinder heads and intake...
). The Chrysler, Dodge, and DeSoto versions were all independent with almost no parts in common. There was no Plymouth hemi engine until the 1964 426.
Chrysler and Imperial
The Chrysler
Fire Power engines were the first Chrysler Corporation Hemis. They have the largest bore center distance (also called bore pitch distance) of any Chrysler engine at 4.5625 in (115.9 mm) (except the
BChrysler's B engine was a big-block V8 which replaced the early Chrysler FirePower engine in 1958. It did not have hemispherical heads like the FirePower — rather it had wedge-shaped heads. All B-series engines have a stroke...
/
RBThe RB engine is a big-block V8 engine from Chrysler. It first appeared in 1959 and was a raised-deck version of the Chrysler B engine. The big-block RB lasted until 1978. All RB engines have a 3.75 in stroke, with the bore being the defining factor in engine size. Bore center distance is 4.84"...
).
301
There was a 301 cid engine with the polyspherical heads only made in 1955 that went into the Chrysler Windsor to finally replace the old 265 cid flathead inline 6. It was replaced in '56 by the polyspherical headed 331.
331
All Chrysler FirePower engines were oversquare in that the bore was larger than the stroke — the 331 bore was 3.8125 in (97 mm) and the stroke was 3.625 in (92 mm), for a total of 331 cu in (5.4 liters). Most used a two-barrel
carburetorA carburetor or carburettor is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. It was invented by Karl Benz before 1885 and patented in 1886...
version and produced gross power of 180 hp (134 kW), with the famous exception of the 1955 Chrysler 300 which was equipped with dual Carter WCFB four-barrels carburetors. It was used from 1951 through 1955. This engine competed on equal grounds with the newly introduced Oldsmobile 303 and Cadillac 331 OHV V8 engines of the same era.
The 331 engine was installed in the following vehicles:
- 1951-55 Chrysler New Yorker
The Chrysler New Yorker was a premium automobile built by the Chrysler Corporation from 1939 to 1996, serving for several years as the brand's flagship model. A model named the "New York Special" first appeared in the 1930s...
- 1951-1954 Chrysler Imperial
The Chrysler Imperial, introduced in 1926, was the company's top of the range vehicle for much of its history. Models were produced with the Chrysler name until 1954, and again from 1990 to 1993. The company positioned the cars as a prestige marque that would rival Cadillac and Lincoln...
and 1955 ImperialImperial was the Chrysler Corporation's prestige automobile brand between 1955 and 1975, with a brief reappearance in 1981 through 1983.The Chrysler Imperial had been the company's most luxurious model, and in 1955 when the company decided to introduce a separate luxury brand, Imperial was the...
(Imperial was a separate make & division from 1955 on and was not a Chrysler).
- 1951 Chrysler Saratoga
The Chrysler Saratoga was a full-sized automobile produced by the Chrysler Corporation. Chrysler first used the Saratoga nameplate on its 1939 models, and continued to use the name off and on until 1960 when it retired the product name for the US markets...
(optional)
- 1952 Chrysler Saratoga
The Chrysler Saratoga was a full-sized automobile produced by the Chrysler Corporation. Chrysler first used the Saratoga nameplate on its 1939 models, and continued to use the name off and on until 1960 when it retired the product name for the US markets...
Club Coupe (optional)
- 1952 Chrysler Imperial Parade Phaeton
Three Chrysler Imperial Parade Phaetons were produced in 1952 by the Chrysler Corporation as ceremonial vehicles. They were styled by Virgil Exner and were in many ways a preview of the new "Forward Look" styling that would debut in 1955 on the newly separate Imperial marque and on other full-size...
- 1955 Chrysler 300 (this would have been "A" in the "letter series", but letters only came into use in 1956)
- The 331 was also used in the Chrysler air raid siren
The Chrysler Air Raid Siren was the most powerful and loudest air raid siren ever made.Known as "Big Red" and built during the post-World War II Cold War era from 1952-1957 by Chrysler, its power plant contained a newly-designed FirePower Hemi V-8, 331 cubic inch engine.Its six horns, produced by...
. At 138 decibelThe decibel is a logarithmic unit of measurement that expresses the magnitude of a physical quantity relative to a specified or implied reference level. Since it expresses a ratio of two quantities with the same unit, it is a dimensionless unit...
s, it is the loudest siren ever made.
354
The
Chrysler 354 was a 354 cu in (5.8 L) version produced in 1956. Bore was 3.9375 in (100 mm) with a 3.625 in (92 mm) stroke. It was used in the 1956 Chrysler New Yorker,
ImperialImperial was the Chrysler Corporation's prestige automobile brand between 1955 and 1975, with a brief reappearance in 1981 through 1983.The Chrysler Imperial had been the company's most luxurious model, and in 1955 when the company decided to introduce a separate luxury brand, Imperial was the...
Custom and Crown, and Chrysler 300B. Dodge used a modified version of this engine in the 1957 D-501. The engine was rated at 340hp. An optional 355hp version was available, making it the first American V-8 to be rated at one horsepower per cubic inch.
392
The
392 cu in (6.4 L) raised-deck version for 1957 and 1958 had a 4.00 in (101.6 mm) bore and 3.906 in (99.212 mm) stroke. The actual deck height was 1/2" taller (10.87") than the previous blocks. Because its deck was taller, the heads were cast wider so that earlier manifolds could be used with the new heads on the new, taller, block. It was used in the 1957-1958 New Yorker, 1957 Chrysler 300C, 1958 Chrysler 300D, and 1957-1958
ImperialImperial was the Chrysler Corporation's prestige automobile brand between 1955 and 1975, with a brief reappearance in 1981 through 1983.The Chrysler Imperial had been the company's most luxurious model, and in 1955 when the company decided to introduce a separate luxury brand, Imperial was the...
(all models). In the late 1950s and early 1960s,
drag racerDrag racing is a competition in which vehicles compete to be the first to cross a set finish line, usually from a standing start, and in a straight line. First gaining popularity in the USA after World War II , the sport steadily grew in popularity and spread across the globe...
s found the 392 to be an auspicious engine for their "diggers". For 1958, Chrysler offered the 392 in two models: with 9.25:1
compressionThe compression ratio of an internal-combustion engine or external combustion engine is a value that represents the ratio of the volume of its combustion chamber; from its largest capacity to its smallest capacity...
and with 10:1 compression, both with four-barrel
carburetorA carburetor or carburettor is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. It was invented by Karl Benz before 1885 and patented in 1886...
s.
DeSoto
DeSoto's Hemi engines were called
Fire Dome. They have bore center distances smaller than the Chrysler but larger than the Dodge at 4.3125 in (109.5 mm).
276
In 1952,
DeSotoThe DeSoto was a brand of automobile based in the United States, manufactured and marketed by the Chrysler Corporation from 1928 to 1961. The DeSoto logo featured a stylized image of Hernando de Soto.- 1929–1942 :...
introduced its version of the FirePower. It displaced 276 cu in (4.5 liters) and 160 hp (119 kW). It was a hot seller, with 50,000 vehicles using the engine until it was replaced in 1955. Bore was 3.625 in (92 mm) and stroke 3.344 in (85 mm).
291
A bump in displacement to 291 cu in (4.8 L) was made for 1955 by increasing the bore to 3.72 in (94 mm).
330
The DeSoto engine was enlarged for 1956 to 330 cu in (5.4 L). Bore was the same as the 291, but stroke was up to 3.80 in (97 mm) this time with a taller raised-deck block. The
DeSoto AdventurerThe DeSoto Adventurer is an automobile produced by the Chrysler Corporation and sold under its DeSoto automotive brand from 1956 through the 1960 model year. It was initially DeSoto's special, limited-production, high-performance model, similar to the Chrysler 300. While in production, the...
was the premiere name-plate high-performance version (the DeSoto equivalent of the Chrysler 300) using dual Carter WCFB four-barrel carburetors.
341
Displacement was up again for 1956 and 1957 to 341 cu in (5.6 L). Bore was now 3.78 in (96 mm) with stroke remaining at 3.80 in (97 mm). The
DeSoto AdventurerThe DeSoto Adventurer is an automobile produced by the Chrysler Corporation and sold under its DeSoto automotive brand from 1956 through the 1960 model year. It was initially DeSoto's special, limited-production, high-performance model, similar to the Chrysler 300. While in production, the...
produced 343 hp (256 kW) using dual Carter WCFB four-barrel carburetors, which was greater than one hp per cu in (46 kW/L), just like the
Chevrolet CorvetteThe Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car manufactured in six generations by General Motors since 1953. The first Corvette was designed by Harley Earl and named by Myron Scott after the fast ship of the same name. Originally built in Flint, Michigan and St. Louis, Missouri, it is currently built at a...
's fuel-injected 283.
345
The largest DeSoto engine for 1957 was the 345 cu in (5.7 L). Bore and stroke were square at 3.80 in (97 mm). The
DeSoto AdventurerThe DeSoto Adventurer is an automobile produced by the Chrysler Corporation and sold under its DeSoto automotive brand from 1956 through the 1960 model year. It was initially DeSoto's special, limited-production, high-performance model, similar to the Chrysler 300. While in production, the...
used dual Carter WCFB four-barrel carburetors. It was rated at 345hp, again producing one hp per cu in (46 kW/L).
Dodge
Dodge's Hemi was called the
Red Ram, introduced in 1953. They have the smallest bore center distance of any hemi engine at 4.1875 in (106.4 mm).
The Dodge Hemi engines manufactured during 1950's had no harmonic balancer. They had a front hub on the crankshaft that attached to pulleys, and was held on by one large bolt/washer. This hub/pulley setup is very light, and has almost zero harmonics absorbing/dampening capability. These engines have been known to break crankshafts for no apparent reason. It is highly recommended that during any rebuild of the 1950s Dodge hemi/poly engines, the crankshaft be carefully magnufluxed for cracks first, and an aftermarket harmonic balancer purchased.
241
The
DodgeDodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, sport utility vehicles, and pickup trucks, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide....
introduced the 241 cu in (3.9 L) version in 1953. Bore was 3.4375 in (92 mm) and stroke was 3.25 in (83 mm). With a compression ratio of only 7.1:1 it produced just 140 hp (104 kW).
PlymouthPlymouth was a marque of automobile based in the United States, marketed by the Chrysler Corporation and DaimlerChrysler.-Origins:...
's 241 version for 1955 had polyspherical heads.
270
The
270 displaced 268 cu in (4.4 L) and was used in the 1955 and 1956 Dodge high-line (premium) vehicles. Bore was 3.625 in (92 mm) and stroke was 3.25 in (83 mm). See also the Plymouth 270 poly-head. In the
Dodge CoronetThe Coronet was a full-size car from Dodge in the 1950s, initially the division's highest trim line but, starting in 1955, the lowest trim line. In the 1960s, the name was transferred to Dodge's mid-size entry.-1949:...
, running the same compression ratio as the 241", the 270 made 140 bhp. In higher trims like the
Dodge Meadowbrook-1949:The Dodge Meadowbrook was produced by Dodge and offered as the base line trim level, and was produced only as a 4-door sedan through 1952 and in 1953 and 1954 was offered also in 2 door models.-External links:...
, it ran a 7.5:1 compression ratio, producing 150 bhp.
315
For 1956, Dodge upped the displacement to
315 cu in (5.2 L) with a longer 3.80 in (97 mm) stroke and a taller raised-deck block.
325
Dodge used a 325 cu in (5.3 L) engine for 1957 until 1958. The engine used a 3.6875 in (94 mm) bore and 3.80 in (97 mm) stroke.