[40packard]

I'd like to hear a discussion of the pro and cons of the 323.5 eights. I've got a 1939 New Yorker. I've rebuilt the engine with hardened seats etc. and I'm getting it ready for spring. I had a '39 Royal Windsor and a '40 Windsor a combined total of 36 years. The 241.5 six was a wonderful, powerful, fuel efficient, and dependable engine. Any thoughts on the eight? Thanks

[chuckneuhaus]

I have a 1940 Saratoga and I find the straight eight to be a wonderful responsive engine and smooth as silk. Considering the Chrysler used the same 323.5 engine from 1936 through 1950 with no significant changes indicates that they wre very happy with this powerplant too. While not quite up to Packard eight standards, it was a lot of engine for the money. Chuck Neuhaus, South Carolina

[40packard]

Thanks for the info. Yes they used it a long time. So what kind of gas mileage to you think you get?

[bober]

I have several 1946-8 chrysler cars with the 8 cyl. engines. they are very reliable with good care- oil changes ect. High mileage engines have tendancy to wear out the ring lands. Exhaust manifolds are a problem and water pumps pricey- other than that they run as smooth as butter!
Bob

[imported_BaronvonR]

I have a 1950 Imperial with hydraulic lifters....a rather rare engine...the last year for the straight 8. I have done a fair amount of hiway driving and get around 15+ mpg. Dont forget the car weighs over 4000#

[Narve N]

I believe back in the 40s and 50s these cars were known for reliability including an ability for high mileage, and a bit fuel-guzzling. The Fluid Drive combination was supposedly excellent on slippery winter roads.
My own experience after 20000 miles in a 40 NewYorker is also of reliability and fuel-thirst (especially compared to the tank-size). The engine has excellent torque, the overdrive transmission is a treat and will give 70+ mph cruising speed, the Fluid Drive is the only thing denying brisk (for a 60-year old car) acceleration. 110 F outside temperatures does not pose a problem. Rusted 3-piece exhaust manifolds (prolonged standing still) will crack when warmed throughout, and needs to be checked for straightness in order not to develop leaks.

[40packard]

Thanks Narve for the info on fuel. I too have heard that the eights weren't the most fuel efficient of the chryslers. I had a '40 windsor for 13 years, drove it most every day in the spring, summer, and fall. The lines and especially the front end were great. Good auto. I then had a '39 Royal Windsor for 23 years. Also a great car. The New Yorker that I'm working on is a beautiful car with duel sidemounts. I put hardened valve seats etc in the engine to run on unleaded. I also had it balenced from the vibration dampner thru the clutch. I just have never had a lot of experience with the chrysler straight eight. So thank you all for the blogging.

[Narve N]

A more exact figure of fuel consumption is that the car did average 19 liters of fuel pr 100 km on mixed driving(do not have the table for conversion into mpg, something like 11 mpg?).
Besides being fond of the bulbous shape of 40s Chryslers, I also have learned to appreciate their easiness of driving and reliability. Although only one of the fenders is visible from the driving position!

[hemichrysler]

I thought that the SpitFire straight 6 and 8 Flathead engines had hardened valve seats from the factory. I reasoned this because lead doping didn't really get going until the 1950s. Lead was added to stop pinging/pinking (detonation), but as a side effect it lubricated the top end so well that hardened valve seats were no longer required. It means that older cars, such as my 1948 Daimler, have hardened valve seats.

So, I did not think that lead was being added to gasoline as early as 1939. Have I been wrong all this time, and the Chrysler Eights have soft valve seats ?

[40packard]

Well now, that's interesting. I never had any idea that lead wasn't used from the git go. But hey, if they used hardened seats that would be a great thing. Any body else know when lead started to be used in gasoline?