Engines...
Click your model year to jump to your truck's Data:
In 1961, there were no changes to the V8 engines offered by Dodge. The standard 3.91 x 3.31" bore & stroke 318ci with 205 hp was still available as an option. However, the six -cylinder engines changed quite a lot. 1961 was the first year for the brand new slant-six. Two versions of the "leaning tower of power" were available. The 225ci and 170ci displacements. The classic L-6 251ci was still used in Power Wagons.
The D100 trucks received the 170ci as standard equipment. Since no other manufacturer had a simular "high economy" engine, Dodge light trucks were almost as economical to operate as the compact imports such as the Volkswagons.
Of course, one cannot mention the 1961 engines without bringing up the alternator. Dodge was the first automaker to introduce the alternator. The alternator could charge even at idling speeds and reached a peak charge rate quickly. Plus, an alternator weighed 43% less than a generator. Another first for Dodge!
Engines remained the same.
A new 225ci slant six replaced the 251ci six used in 1961 & 1962 W100 & W200 Power Wagon Trucks. The Power Wagon W300 continued to use the 251ci. L-6 engine. The new 225ci engine (the 225-2) was able to power the med. duty trucks due to; a roller timing chain, bi-metal connecting rod bearings, stellite-faced exhaust valves, roto caps on exhaust valves and polyacrylic valve stem seals.
The standard engine was the 225 slant-six. Optional engine was the 170 six available as a zero-cost option on the D100 model only. A 318 was an added cost option for all pickups. The W100 and W200 trucks came with the 225 six as standard equipment. With the new Custom Sports Special a powerful 426 wedge V8 was optional. This high performance engine had; 10.2:1 compression, a 4-barrel carb., high lift long duration camshaft, and hydraulic lifters. The 426 wedge was capable of pushing 365 HP.
Dodge added a hard-working 174 HP 273 ci V8 motor. The new engine provided extra power for the emerging camper crowd. Advertising of the day cited, "Go Camping With Dodge." Dodge teamed the new V8 with the heavy duty A745 3-speed standard transmission. An optional automatic was also available. In '65 Dodge was the first to announce an industry leading five-year or 50,000 mile engine & drivetrain warranty. Other major manufacturers did not adopt a warranty simular to this until late in the 1980's.
Big news in 1966 was Chrysler's decision to pull the powerful 426 wedge engine from the options list of the Custom Sports Special. Base motor was the 225 ci. and the 318 ci. V8 was optional. Since the 426 was only available in the Custom Sports Special, (no other Dodge truck model, in any year, used the 426 wedge). Of note however, is that records show at least one special order Custom Sports Special left the factory with a 426 HEMI.
Ma Mopar had a hit with the increase of the horsepower from the 318 V8. Power went from 200 to 210 hp. Also, the compression ratio went from 8.25:1 to 8.5:1. This new high-output 318 also became an option for the A100 pickups since the 273 motor was dropped. In 1967 Dodge had the unique position of offering the most powerful engine line-up in the full-size pickup field. The 383 ci, 258 hp V8 was a monster in the pick-up market. The big power, big torque 383 - was an option for: D100, D200, D300, W100, W200. Buyers interested in towing campers or heavy loads could count on the power of the 383 to easily get them where they needed to.
Engines in 1968 did not change. Standard engine was the 225 ci slant-six. The V8 models included the same 318 ci & 383 ci motors. The engines offered standard on W100 & W200 trucks included the; 225 six, and the optional 318 ci V8.
The 383 ci. engine was marketed as "the" performance motor for '69. Advertising read... "Dodges new for 1969 383 V8 engine takes your load and runs with it, like Tiny Tim through the tulips." The only thing that could truly be described as "new" about the '69 383 ci. engine was it's dry-type air cleaner. Also, in terms of options the buyer had a choice between the 225 ci. six and the 318 ci. V8 as standard equipment motors.
Transmissions for 1970 for (both standard and automatic model types) saw significant upgrades. A new 3-speed, fully synchronized manual transmission was made standard on all half and 3/4 ton pick-ups with the 383 V8. This transmission was also made standard on the D200 and W200 crew-cabs with the six-cyl. engines. The new transmissions provided more versatility for rugged terrain or heavy loads. In the engine line-up Dodge intoduced a new 198 ci six-cly. motor. This engine became standard offering and the 225 six & 318 V8 became optional.
As we have seen so often in the past, when Dodge came to the end of a model line, changes were minimal. Dodge did intorduce a light model scaled down 114 wheelbase half-ton called, "The Sweptline Special." The Special D100 was a low-priced light-duty truck that was $300.00 less than the base-model GM. Power came from a standard 198 ci six-cly. with an optional 225 ci six. Engines for all other 1971 pickups remained the same.
• Still haven't found the information you were looking for?
• Found an error?
• Or, just want to express an opinion?
Leave us a comment below...
