WHAT IS IT?...... IN THE ‘41 PLYMOUTH BOX

[CaddyDaddy]

This weekend, I picked up the AMT 1941 Plymouth four passenger coupe. I realize there was various iterations of this kit. The one I got is the “AMT by Round 2”. I plan on building it as a late ‘50’s/early ‘60’s Modified Stock Car.

So, there are two engines included in the kit. First, a stock flathead 6 cylinder. Second, some type of unidentifiable V8. And here lies my question: what engine does this purport to be? It has four equally spaced exhaust ports per side along with a distributor in the back. The water pump is of some indiscriminate design. The oil sump is in the middle of the pan. The valve covers are too narrow to be of a Big Block Chevy. I find myself debating whether I should leave this”mongrel” in the box and use a Pontiac I have laying around, or maybe something from VCG.

[gman]

I believe it is supposed to be a generic MOPAR small block, simulating a 340. 

[stavanzer]

340 MOPAR Engine, as Greg said.

[CaddyDaddy]

Gentlemen........appreciate the thought(s), but I’m afraid that ain’t it. Yes, the Chrysler LA series of engines has the distributor in the back. However, the two inside exhaust ports per side are right next to each other. You could say they are almost touching. A quick look at a set of 340 headers almost appears that there are only 3 pipes. This “AMT” engine has four equally spaced exhaust ports with four equally spaced header exhaust tubes.

[NOBLNG]

It is supposed to be a mopar poly head engine available from 1955-1966. These came in a number of displacements.

https://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/188752-amt-‘41-plymouth-optional-engine-trans/#comment-2840900

Good discussion on them here:

https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/mopp-0109-chryslers-poly-head-engine/

https://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/threads/poly-engine-what-was-good-bad-about-it-and-why-is-the-la-better.504820/

http://victorylibrary.com/mopar/poly-graphics.htm

 

 

Edited April 29, 2024 by NOBLNG

[CaddyDaddy]

I believe we have a WINNER here Greg!!!!! Thank you very much.

Poly’s were a little before more time, so I thus tend to forget about them. My hands on experience didn’t come in until late ‘60’s/early ‘70’s with the LA’s. Anybody running early ‘60’s Mopar stuff around me had big bocks. Correct me if I’m wrong, but there was no such thing as a factory 340 poly.

[NOBLNG]

15 minutes ago, CaddyDaddy said:

I believe we have a WINNER here Greg!!!!! Thank you very much.

Poly’s were a little before more time, so I thus tend to forget about them. My hands on experience didn’t come in until late ‘60’s/early ‘70’s with the LA’s. Anybody running early ‘60’s Mopar stuff around me had big bocks. Correct me if I’m wrong, but there was no such thing as a factory 340 poly.

You’re welcome Chas. No 340 cid…check the motortrend link I just added. It has a list of displacements.

Edited April 29, 2024 by NOBLNG

[Dave G.]

I just read about the 1957 Poly yesterday, the one used in the Dodge Cutom Royal. It was said to be 325cu, single Carter Carb, dual exhaust. My dad had one of those. Apparently there was a dual quad version as well. I didn't know that before, I thought the hemi was the only dual quad combo. My dads was single quad for sure. He owned this around 1959- 62ish as well as I recall.

[Dave Darby]

You have to remember that this kit was designed during a very low point in AMT's history. I believe that engine is purported to be a 360. (Albeit a very inaccurate one.) It lacks the scalloped rocker covers of a poly, and few people ran polys in the 70s. I think the design team just didn't do their research. The whole kit is a bit on the crude side, especially  the chassis and running gear. But it's the only game in town if you want a 48 Plymouth, and it certainly is workable.