Chrysler FirePower engine

The FirePower was Chrysler's first V8 engine. Introduced in the Fall of 1950 for the 1951, the FirePower had hemispherical combustion chambers, leading some to refer to this engine as the early Hemi. It was replaced by the Chrysler B engine in 1959, though the hemi heads would live again in the Chrysler Hemi engine.

Chrysler, Dodge, and DeSoto all built their own versions of this engine (but not Plymouth which stayed with poly-head engines). Early versions were largely custom with little commonality. Later versions were similar to the Chrysler A engine and Chrysler B engine. In general, though, the Chrysler, Dodge, and DeSoto versions were all independent.

Chrysler

331

The FirePower was oversquare - the bore was 3.81 in (97 mm) and the stroke was 3.63 in (92 mm), for a total of 331 in³ (5.4 liters). It used a two-barrel carburetor and produced gross power of 180 hp (134 kW). It was used from 1951 through 1956.

The 331 engine was installed in the following vehicles:

• 1951 Chrysler New Yorker
• 1951-1954 Chrysler Imperial and 1955 Imperial
• 1951 Chrysler Saratoga (optional)
• 1952 Chrysler Saratoga Club Coupe (optional)
• 1952 Chrysler Imperial Parade Phaeton

301

A smaller 301 in³ (4.9 L) version was produced for 1955. Bore was 3.63 in (92 mm) and stroke was 3.63 in (92 mm). The Chrysler 301 was used in the 1955 Chrysler Windsor.

354

354 in³ (5.8 L) 8 v90 55-58 3.94 (100 mm) 3.63 in (92 mm)

• 1956 Chrysler Imperial

392

392 in³ (6.4 L) 8 v90 57-58 4.00 in (102 mm) 3.90 in (99 mm)

• 1957-1958 Chrysler Imperial

DeSoto

276

In 1952, DeSoto introduced its version of the FirePower. It displaced 276 cubic inches (4.5 liters) and 160 horsepower (119 kW). It was a hot seller, with 50,000 vehicles using the engine.

• 276 in³ (4.5 L) 8 v90 52-55 3.63 in (92 mm) 3.34 in (85 mm) Desoto 160 hp (119 kW) w/2v, same as 303 Olds 4v and 331 Caddy 2v.

291

• 291 in³ (4.8 L) 8 v90 55 3.72 in (94 mm) 3.34 in (85 mm)

• 1955 DeSoto

330

• 330 in³ (5.4 L) 8 v90 56 3.72 in (94 mm) 3.80 in (97 mm)

• 1956 DeSoto

341

• 341 in³ (5.6 L) 8 v90 56-57 3.78 in (96 mm) 3.80 in (97 mm) Desoto. 343 hp (256 kW) in '57, >1 hp/in³ (46 kW/L).

• 1956-1957 DeSoto

345

• 345 in³ (5.7 L) 8 v90 57 3.80 in (97 mm) 3.80 in (97 mm)

• 1957 DeSoto

Dodge

241

Dodge also had a 241 in³ (3.9 liter) version in 1952. It produced just 140 horsepower (104 kW). Plymouth's 241 version for 1955 had polyspherical heads.

270

The 270 displaced 271 in³ (4.4 L) and was used in the 1955 and 1956 Dodge vehicles. Bore was 3.63 in (92 mm) and stroke was 3.25 in (83 mm). See also the Plymouth 270 poly-head.

315

For 1956, Dodge upped the displacement to 315 in³ (5.2 L) with a longer 3.80 in (97 mm) stroke.

325

• 325 in³ (5.3 L) 8 v90 57-59 3.69 in (94 mm) 3.80 in (97 mm)

• 1957-1959 Dodge
• 1957 DeSoto. Not Hemi.

326

• 326 in³ (5.3 L) 8 v90 59 3.95 (100 mm) 3.31 in (84 mm)

• 1959 Dodge Coronet