1962 Dodge AT4

Not much wrong with a 265 ELB Chrysler engine. Or even more so with the 300CU Magnum 6 as fitted to a lot of the Police Chargers.

Please explain what a "300CU Magnum 6" never heard of one and just did a quick Google with no luck

Paul

The Perkins puts out 120hp at 2800rpm with 260 ft/lb torque at 1700rpm.

Here are the Chrysler slant 6 figures for various engine sizes. You will probably have the 145hp 225 cu in engine which from my reading was the model fitted to Australian vehicles.

Engine Year(s)Available CompressionRatio Horsepower @ RPM(see note) Torque (lb-ft) @ RPM

170 1963 8.2 to 1 101 @ 4400 155 @ 2400
170 1964-1966 8.5 to 1 101 @ 4400 155 @ 2400
170 1967-1969 8.5 to 1 115 @ 4400 155 @ 2400
198 1970-1971 8.4 to 1 125 @ 4400 180 @ 2000
198 1972 8.4 to 1 100 @ 4400 160 @ 2400
198 1973 8.4 to 1 95 @ 4000 150 @ 1600
198 1974 8.4 to 1 95 @ 4000 145 @ 2000
225 1960-1962 8.5 to 1 145 @ 4000 215 @ 2800
225 1963 8.2 to 1 145 @ 4000 215 @ 2400
225 1964-1971 8.4 to 1 145 @ 4000 215 @ 2400
225 1972 8.4 to 1 110 @ 4000 185 @ 2000
225 1973 8.4 to 1 105 @ 4000 185 @ 1600
225 1974 8.4 to 1 105 @ 3600 180 @ 1600
225 1975 8.4 to 1 95 @ 3600 170 @ 1600
225 1976 8.4 to 1 100 @ 3600 170 @ 1600

Possibly a much easier change, and easier to find engine, would be to the next generation "Hemi" 6. This would let you use the diff ratio currently fitted which probably would not suit a Perkins. The common 2 barrel will give you nearly double the horsepower of the Perkins and more torque.

Australian Hemi Six
(Compiled by the Allpar staff — see the main Australian Hemi Six engines page)

Six Pack used three Weber carburetors, each having two barrels. Horsepower is SAE standard where “net” is indicated.

The E37 and E48 were the same engine; the E37 had a three-speed transmission, the E48 had a four-speed (both were manual transmissions).

Size Code Carb Setup Horsepower(gross) Torque (lb-ft) C/R
215 1-barrel 140 @ 4,400 200 lb-ft @ 1,800 8.0:1
245 1-barrel 165 @ 4,400 235 @ 1,800 9.5:1
265 1-barrel 203 @ 4,800 262 @ 2,000 9.5:1
265 HP 2-barrel 218 @ 4,800 273 @ 3,000 9.5:1
265 E37/E48 Six Pack 248 @ 4,800 305 @ 3,400 9.7:1
265 E38 Six Pack 280 @ 5,000 310 @ 3,700 10.0:1
265 E49 Six Pack 302@5,600 320 @ 4,100 10.0:1
245 Low C. Carter 2V n/a n/a
245 High C. Carter 2V 111 @ 4,400 net 190 lb-ft @ 1,800
265 n/a Carter 2V 146 @ 4,800 net 212 @ 3,000 net

Here is the full Hemi 6 Australia info. www.valiant.org/valiant/hemi-six.html

Just to give you an indication of how far we have come since the 6.354 days my Nissan Navara 550 has a 6 cylinder diesel half the weight of the Perkins and with the smoothness and response of a petrol engine.

228hp at 3,750 nearly double the Perkins but the power/rev combination to lay rubber to pass on the highway. But this is the old school engine killer, it has 405 ft lb of torque (compared to the Perkins 260 ft lb) but at exactly the same engine RPM of 1750 as the Perkins. As a result it cruises at 100kmh sipping fuel at 1700rpm on the torque peak but with vast reserves of power ready to pour on the coals when required.

Not saying you should fit a Navara 550 engine but maybe if you are keen on a diesel conversion have a look at Landcruiser or Nissan Patrol engines which you can easily buy as a full takeout complete with a perfectly matching 5 speed overdrive box attached. Even an automatic if you are so inclined. They could probably work quite OK on your existing diff ratio which might be another problem with a Perkins.

So many choices!!!!

Lang

Paul, I can't find reference to them anywhere at the moment, but back in the day when I was playing copper, NSW had a few Chargers built to Police Spec which had what was known at the time as the 300 Magnum 6 engines. I distinctly remember seeing 300 cast into the blocks on the right hand side at the front, down near the bottom of the block. Other than that, they looked just like a 265. I remember the different drivers fighting to get the keys for them each shift.
Steve.

wrote:

Paul, I can't find reference to them anywhere at the moment, but back in the day when I was playing copper, NSW had a few Chargers built to Police Spec which had what was known at the time as the 300 Magnum 6 engines. I distinctly remember seeing 300 cast into the blocks on the right hand side at the front, down near the bottom of the block. Other than that, they looked just like a 265. I remember the different drivers fighting to get the keys for them each shift.
Steve.

So I gather they were 300 cubic inch 6 cylinder ?

Paul

The 300 could well have indicated 300hp? This was the hot (Bathurst?) 265. They had to produce a minimum number to enter the race maybe the police got the over run from the actual race cars?

265 E49 Six Pack 302hp@5,600 320ft/lb @ 4,100 10.0:1

There is one currently for sale for $400,000.

Lang

I was thinking about a 6354 conversion because I have an Acco with one in. That was the only reason. Its free. I bought the truck to build my drive way. I am shifting a couple of dam banks to the goat track that goes to my house.

IBy the sound of it, that motor is not suitable or really viable as a conversion to an AT4 329. The 265 will probably be the way I go in the future. I had one in a VF hard top when I was 17. It was a weapon. The idea of a nissan/Toyota is a good one. That gives me another train of thought.

I want an overdrive box behind what ever I fit . Revving the bits off it to do 100kmh is no fun. I love Nissan Patrols, I have had about 6 of them. The 4.2 turbo diesel was a great motor but they are commanding stupid money ATM. The 3.0 grenade is ok if you want to do all the mods to put the pin back in and run a computer,cheaper rego too.

The more I think about it, the more I like the 265/5 speed or 6 speed (depending what I can pick up at the right price). If I fit a cam for low end torque it would suit me perfectly.

Paul, I always assumed that it was 300 cubes in a six as you ask, but Lang may well be closer to the mark. I know they went like a dog shot in the arse, but being Chargers with the short wheel base, didn't handle too well. Personally, I was into Toranas at the time and wish I had kept some of the ones I owned.

Steve.

Re: Magnum 300, it reminds me of a local towie within the last 10 years who was still using a tired Dodge AT4. He claimed it had something like these cubes and he had to get parts from Canada to rebuild it. Looked like a normal Hemi6. I took him at his word.....

Jarrod.