My " hopped up " Chevrolet Six Cylinder Engine

The 1941 Chevrolet 216 cu in block was bored 1/8 inch oversize increasing the displacement to 232 cu in. Stroke was 3 3/4 inches. Aluminum pistons replaced the cast iron.  The 1938 Chevy head was cut 1/4 inch to increase the compression.  GMC Stellite valves were set in recessed seats and the flow areas relieved.  Intake ports were reamed and polished. Stromberg 97 carburetors were mounted on a dual Edmunds intake manifold. Exhaust system was stock Chevrolet. Distributor was a dual point Mallory with a large external capacitor. The camshaft was 3/4 race Iskenderian. An aluminum timing gear replaced the stock fibre gear. Tubular push rods replaced the solid originals. A truck flywheel and clutch assembly, uncut, transmitted power from the engine.  The first car powered by the engine was my 1941 Chevrolet coupe I customized in 1950.  The next stop for the engine was in the fiberglass bodied sports car I built in 1951 - 53.

It was never determined how much the horsepower was increased from the original 93 hp stock Chevrolet, but I estimated it was probably in the area of 150 hp. The maximum rpm measured was approximately 5,000 rpm in second gear when it was in the 41 Chevy. The Chevy would do 0 to 60 mph in about 10 seconds, very respectable for it's day.

 

Return to PlasticAutos index page