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Industrial 276-331, need help to ID

Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:00 am
by GeoffP
Hi Everyone,
Great Forums, I have spent a great deal of time reading old posts, great information and very knowledgable people here. Just have a few questions regarding an old 276 or 331 Industrial motor. They say its a 331 but it looks like it may be a 276 by the case #

Can someone tell me if it has the car heads or smaller Ind version and or any other info?

IND-20

Type 441

# cast into back of moton ontop of extended bellhousing #1323329-2 A312 CWC

# near valley pan IND20 1485

Cylinder head # 1323333-1

Thanks for any info
Geoff.

Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 4:16 pm
by 41hemi
Definitely a Chrysler 331.....has extended bell(only Chrysler from51-mid54) and the head castings are early 331. Does it have adjustable rocker arms? I have heard that some industrial engines had them and that some don't.

Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 4:50 pm
by George
If original they will have the less desirable round ex. port heads. You will need to check if the crossover thay goes under the carb. is square or tall & narrow. If square you can use later wet (or drilled) intake, if tall & narrow you'll have to weld it some so another intake will fit. Your best bet is to get '54 oval port heads & 4bl intake. You'll need to replace the cam & lifters.

Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:43 pm
by GeoffP
Just snapped a few pic's. Thought this would be a little easier, so what can you tell me about it from the pics?

I know of a 56 Desoto 330 Fire Flite, would that be a better motor to start with?


Image

Image

Image

Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:25 am
by George
There are more performance parts available, & less expensive, for a 331, than a DeSoto. The "Long tail" on your makes it more of a challenge on getting a tranny on it. Check out Wilcap or Hot heads, or have a good machine shop cut the tail off & then weld a 392 adaptor to it. The 392 adaptor will fit the DeSoto. On the 331 you can switch to a 51-4 car front cover & use '54 heads & intake. Or..A Hot Heads front cover with Chevy W/P, 55 331-56 354 heads & intake.

Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 3:42 pm
by Bailiesdad
The costs involved in using an extended bell 331 are MUCH higher than any other automobile 331 Chrysler Hemi engine. This is the reason they sell for such low cost.

Modifing the block, then buying an adaptor, or using it as is and buying an adaptor then changing the entire top end (heads intake carbs ect) will put over the cost of starting with a 54 331 core engine.

Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 6:20 pm
by George
Bailiesdad wrote:The costs involved in using an extended bell 331 are MUCH higher than any other automobile 331 Chrysler Hemi engine. This is the reason they sell for such low cost.

Modifing the block, then buying an adaptor, or using it as is and buying an adaptor then changing the entire top end (heads intake carbs ect) will put over the cost of starting with a 54 331 core engine.
a true statement, but, the question is weather to build the Ind. 331 or the DeSoto. Actually, it's probably a tossup on cost/benifit between the two.

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 7:59 am
by Bailiesdad
George wrote:
Bailiesdad wrote:The costs involved in using an extended bell 331 are MUCH higher than any other automobile 331 Chrysler Hemi engine. This is the reason they sell for such low cost.

Modifing the block, then buying an adaptor, or using it as is and buying an adaptor then changing the entire top end (heads intake carbs ect) will put over the cost of starting with a 54 331 core engine.
a true statement, but, the question is weather to build the Ind. 331 or the DeSoto. Actually, it's probably a tossup on cost/benifit between the two.
Truer words were never spoken, most would just "Ebay" those two and start from scratch, with their newly gained knowledge. :D