318 poly power pack

bluefury361

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Plymouth offered a 318 poly power pack engine option from 1958 through 1962. It included a 4 bbl carb, dual exhaust and a up graded dist vacuum advance and produced 260 HP. The better choice seems like it would be the 350/361 golden commando at 305 HP. For that reason the 318 power pack is a rare find. I have heard rumor's that there was a special camshaft in the power pack engine but could never fine any reference to that.
Any information about that?

Thanks
Will.
 
The old book I have here shows a different cam for the 2BBL and 4BBl engines for '60-'61. 2BBL .370/.368 intake exhaust lift. 4BBL .390/.390: intake/exhaust duration 244 degrees 2BBL, 248 degrees 4BBL. no reference to a power pack. 4BBL was rated at 260HP.

Dave
 
From what I've seen, the term "Power Pack" was loosely used to refer to a simple 4bbl and dual exhaust upgrade from the normal 2bbl engine. It really meant something back then, but usually meant another 20+ horsepower or so. If the 318 PP engine also had more cam, so much the better!

In those earlier times, the exhaust pipe size (dual and single) was in the 2.0" range and the 4bbls were in the approx 450cfm range. In many "hot rod" carb ads back then, the measuring factor was "square inches of venturi size" as FEW people in the outside world had machines to measure carb cfm flow. 2bbls were rated at 1.5" Hg vacuum drop through the carb and 4bbls were rated 3.0" Hg vacuum drop, from what I've read.

Happy Holidays!
CBODY67
 
From what I've seen, the term "Power Pack" was loosely used to refer to a simple 4bbl and dual exhaust upgrade from the normal 2bbl engine. It really meant something back then, but usually meant another 20+ horsepower or so. If the 318 PP engine also had more cam, so much the better!

In those earlier times, the exhaust pipe size (dual and single) was in the 2.0" range and the 4bbls were in the approx 450cfm range. In many "hot rod" carb ads back then, the measuring factor was "square inches of venturi size" as FEW people in the outside world had machines to measure carb cfm flow. 2bbls were rated at 1.5" Hg vacuum drop through the carb and 4bbls were rated 3.0" Hg vacuum drop, from what I've read.

Happy Holidays!
CBODY67

Power Pack is a GM term from the 50's to label the 283 4 barrel engine and it seems to have bled across company lines much like "posi" has.

Kevin
 
I was just able to find a reference to a "power package" in my 61 parts book. Camshaft, part number only, 1944712.
I'm guessing it is the power pack 318 as all others are listed as "high performance" engines
 
Power Pack is a GM term from the 50's to label the 283 4 barrel engine and it seems to have bled across company lines much like "posi" has
It was "Super Pak" for Plymouth, not "Power Pack" (see below).
Plymouth offered a 318 poly power pack engine option from 1958 through 1962. It included a 4 bbl carb, dual exhaust and a up graded dist vacuum advance and produced 260 HP. The better choice seems like it would be the 350/361 golden commando at 305 HP. For that reason the 318 power pack is a rare find. I have heard rumor's that there was a special camshaft in the power pack engine but could never fine any reference to that.
Any information about that?
Indeed, there was a special camshaft. Here is an extract from the 1958 Plymouth brochure (sorry for the size).

"FURY V-800 WITH SUPER-PAK : Available in all models except Fury at extra cost. Basic specifications same as for Fury V-800 above, except for following changes: Horsepower 250 at 4400 RPM. Torque 340 ft./lbs. at 2800 RPM. 4-barrel carburetor with matching intake manifold and special air filter. High-performance camshaft and distributor. Special design free-flow dual exhaust system."

upload_2021-12-12_18-4-54.png
 
Interesting. Is that found in a factory publication? Sounds more sales/marketing orented than technical information. Parts book lists a "power package". I have seen the V 800 in reference to 57/58 318 dual four bbl option.
 
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It was "Super Pak" for Plymouth, not "Power Pack" (see below).

Indeed, there was a special camshaft. Here is an extract from the 1958 Plymouth brochure (sorry for the size).

"FURY V-800 WITH SUPER-PAK : Available in all models except Fury at extra cost. Basic specifications same as for Fury V-800 above, except for following changes: Horsepower 250 at 4400 RPM. Torque 340 ft./lbs. at 2800 RPM. 4-barrel carburetor with matching intake manifold and special air filter. High-performance camshaft and distributor. Special design free-flow dual exhaust system."

View attachment 502062

This may have been a export only option. N/A in US

My search shows there was no "Super Pak" offered in N America. The V 800 was a dual 4 bbl option on 318's in 1957/58 in the USA. No V 800 after 1958
 
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This may have been a export only option. N/A in US
Nope, that's an extract from the US brochure! The Super Pak was indeed a US option. After being the top of the line engine name for 1957, "V800" became the name of the standard 318 in 1958 (for marketing purposes obviously).

The special camshaft is confirmed in the parts manual, reference 1851862.

upload_2021-12-12_20-58-56.png
 
Nope, that's an extract from the US brochure! The Super Pak was indeed a US option. After being the top of the line engine name for 1957, "V800" became the name of the standard 318 in 1958 (for marketing purposes obviously).

The special camshaft is confirmed in the parts manual, reference 1851862.

View attachment 502071

Yes. The 61 parts book shows similar info with no reference to "V" and no reference to "super pak".

I date back to the day when my 62 Fury 318 4 BBL was refered to as a "power pack" engine at the dealer. I just always wondered if the cam shaft was different then the 2 BBL 318.
Thanks to Devea Lux I now have that info plus the cam specifications. Not to far off the 2BBL in lift and duration. I'll change the carb/manifold, dist, and add dual exhaust to my 61 Fury and stick with the original cam. Not a hot rod so should run well.
 
I have a 57 “power pack” engine in my shop. 4bbl, dual exhaust…currently has 1956 Aluminum NASCAR intake & 2x4 BBL.
 
The '57 was a 301 cu.in. engine except for the Fury ( the 277 was also still available in lesser models ). In late 1956 my brother ordered a new Plymouth with the 4 barrel and duals in a Belvedere hardtop. He also ordered it with the torqueflite tranny.
 
It seems they were very loose with terminology back in the day. V800, power pack, hi performance all turn up in different factory publications. Although V800 was used for the dual four barrel variation in the 57 and 58 Plymouths.
 
Although V800 was used for the dual four barrel variation in the 57 and 58 Plymouths.

Indeed V800 was used loosely, as I showed earlier the '58 factory brochure's extract.
But V800 was used for the dual 4-bbl carburetion only in '57.
In '58 they applied it largely to other options, even labeling V800 the standard 318 2-bbl.
 
@SGT FURY does the black 2dr you found still has the transmission in it ? It then has to be the Heavy Duty Synchro Silent 3 speed that was only available on the 361 and the 383. In another thread you mentioned only 17 cars in 61 had the 383 3 speed option so the transmission will be almost a unicorn by today...
 
There were 41 61 Fury coupes built with 383 GC 4v engines
14 were 3spd manual.
Only 275 of ALL 61s were 383 GC 4v motors. 209 were police package cars. Only 66 civilian 61 383 GC Plymouths were built ALL models.
It still has the trans.
It has 62 max wedge manifolds and what I believe are original max wedge exhaust pipes
It has a later 383 in it with 6 bolt valve covers
Has the park brake on trans still.
Maybe a trans from a 62 max wedge car?
My plans are for a 61 413,but I’m uncertain wether it will work with 3speed yet?

5A71B0B2-F5CC-4B19-885E-F121BF6E1F02.jpeg


1469300D-7689-43AC-AE8A-6350AF2F03BD.jpeg
 
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