Poly 318 Engine Numbers, Colors, Photos

Poly Engine ID Numbers, Castings, Colors, Photos

I have complied the following date codes, casting numbers, and color details from factory manuals, brochures and advertisements, personal observations digging through my parts and sticking my head into engine compartments at cruise nights, museum collections, and getting input from other A-block owners. If you have additional numbers, particularly those of you with export engines typically from Canada and Australia, feel free to contact me. I haven’t been able to corroborate all 1956 – 1961 export numbers.

Poly Engine Identification Location for USA Domestic Market

The poly A-block identification for vehicles originally sold in the USA is located on the left (driver) front of the engine on the flat machined area just under the cylinder head.

Poly 277 301 303 313 318 326 Engine Identification — **Poly Engine ID Location for USA Engines**

Poly Engine Identification Location for Export Market (Canada, Australia, UK, etc.)

The poly A-block identification stamping for vehicles originally sold in export markets is usually located on the right (US passenger) front of the engine block deck on the flat machined pad, although there have been cases where the stamping is in the USA domestic location.

Poly 318 H-model Industrial Engine Identification

The poly A318 was offered in and industrial model both in the USA and export markets from 1959 – 1967. The factory built industrial engines have a plate either located on the block or cylinder head. If the tag is missing, the rivets or rivet holes are a way to identify an industrial application. The industrial engines use the same date codes as car/truck engines. For more details about industrial engines, see the marine and industrial page.

**Early Style Industrial A318 Engine Plate (1959 – around 1963)**

Poly 318 Marine Engine Identification

For and in-depth look at the 1959 – 1967 A318 marine engines, see their dedicated page. The marine engines use the same date code system as the car/truck engines. Some engines have a unique plate, but it was often placed on the detachable bellhousing. The best way to identify a marine engine is by the marine accessories, if the original paint is a metallic blue, or if the camshaft is reverse rotations (spins counterclockwise when looking at the front of the engine).

Poly A-block Engine ID Numbers

Stamped ID	Displacement	Model Year	USA Domestic Make Unless Noted “Export”
P29	277	1956	Plymouth Note: P29 also used on 1956 Plymouth with Dodge 270 Hemi-block poly
FP29	303	1956	Plymouth Export
P311	277	1957	Plymouth
P312	301	1957	Plymouth
VT	303	1957	Plymouth Export, Dodge Truck Export
KV	313	1957	Plymouth Export
LP31	318	1957	Plymouth
FLP31	318	1957	Plymouth
LC	313	1958	Plymouth Export, Chrysler Export
LP8	318	1958	Plymouth, Chrysler
MC	313	1959	Plymouth Export, Chrysler Export
MP8	318	1959	Plymouth, Chrysler
TMP8	318	1959	Dodge Truck
DMP8	318	late 1959	Dodge Car
LD2	326	1959	Dodge Car
L325	326	1959	Dodge Car
PV/PP/PC	313	1960	Plymouth, Chrysler, Dodge Exports
P318	318	1960	Plymouth, Chrysler, Dodge
RV/RR/RC	313	1961	Plymouth, Chrysler, Dodge Exports
R318	318	1961	Plymouth, Chrysler, Dodge
SV/SS/SC	313	1962	Plymouth, Chrysler, Dodge Exports
S318	318	1962	Plymouth, Chrysler, Dodge
TV/TT/TC	313	1963	Plymouth, Chrysler, Dodge Exports
T318	318	1963	Plymouth, Chrysler, Dodge
VV/CV	313	1964	Plymouth, Chrysler, Dodge Exports
V318	318	1964	Plymouth, Chrysler, Dodge
AV/AA/AC	318	1965	Plymouth, Chrysler, Dodge Exports
A318	318	1965	Plymouth, Chrysler, Dodge
BV/BB/BC	318	1966	Plymouth, Chrysler, Dodge Exports
B318	318	1966	Plymouth, Chrysler, Dodge
CV/CC	318	1967	Plymouth, Chrysler, Dodge Exports
ND318C	318	Unknown	Unknown but Found in a Photo
H318	318	1959 – 1967	Industrial, Light Duty (see industrial page)
HB318	318	1959 – 1967	Industrial, Medium Duty (see industrial page)
HC318	318	1959 – 1967	Industrial, High Compression (see industrial page)
HT318	318	1959 – 1967	Industrial, Heavy Duty (see industrial page)

Poly A-block Engine Package Suffix Numbers

“1” directly after the ID denotes a “Standard” engine package:
- This is the most common type of engine found in cars and light trucks.
- Received 9:1 or 8.25:1 compression pistons, steel-backed babbitt bearings, standard timing set, standard volume/pressure oil pump, 4-quart oil pan (1956 – 1958 received a 5-quart oil pan), mechanical flat-tappet camshaft and lifters, adjustable rocker arms, Silchrome intake valves, standard valve-spring retainers and springs, standard distributor.
“2” directly after the ID denotes a “Semi-premium” engine package.
- The number 2 may also be a superscript after the ID (Figure 1a).
- These engines when found are often in Dodge light trucks (D/W100, D/W200, D300).
- These engines usually received 8.25:1 compression pistons, steel-backed babbit crank and rod bearings, “silent” plastic-teeth timing set, standard pressure/volume oil pump, 4-quart oil pan, mechanical camshaft and lifters, adjustable rocker arms, Silchrome intake valves, standard valve retainers and springs, standard distributor.
“3” directly after the ID denotes a “Full-premium” engine package.
- The number 3 may also be a superscript after the ID similar to Figure 1a.
- These engine are not common compared to the total production numbers of the A318 and were available standard in Dodge heavy trucks including D400, D500, D600, W300, and W500, Travco motorhomes, and optional in light trucks. The share most of the same components as the industrial HT318 heavy duty engines.
- These engines received 7.5:1 or 8.25:1 compression pistons, tri-metal crank and rod bearings, roller timing set, high-pressure (standard volume) oil pump, 5-quart oil pan, hardened and shot-peened forged crankshaft, hydraulic camshaft and lifters, non-adjustable rocker arms, Silchrome intake valves, Stellite-faced exhaust valves, sodium-cooled/filled exhaust valves, exhaust valve rotators, special valve springs for rotators (Figure 1b), and standard distributor.

Poly 318 Heavy Duty Engine Valves Rotators — **Figure 1b: Poly A-block 318-3 “Full Premium” and Industrial HT318 Heavy Duty Valves, Springs, Rotators**

Poly A-block Engine Casting and Forging Numbers

This is not a complete list but what I have found through parts manuals, my own parts, and what enthusiasts have emailed me. The years listed are those I have confirmed had these casting numbers via parts manuals, but they do not mean that those are the only years that used the numbers since Chrysler Corporation used whatever parts were available. Earlier casting numbers, taking into account the 1962 design change, have been confirmed on later model vehicles (e.g. a 1963 casting in a 1965 vehicle). For engine block identification, refer to the stamped ID above in conjunction with the block casting number.

Poly Engine Block Casting Numbers

Casting Number	Model Year	Displacement
1360229	1956	303
1618729	1956 – 1957	277, 303
1639014	1956	303
1630954	1956	277, 303
1639235	1956	303
1639609	1956 – 1957	277, 303
1676328	1957 – 1959	277, 313
1676329	1956 – 1960	277, 303, 313
1736118	1957 – 1958	301, 313, 318
1737929	1957 – 1959	301, 313, 318
1851249	1956 – 1957	277, 303
1855207	1958	313, 318
1859497	1960 – 1961	313, 318
1859616	1959	313, 318, 326
1945078	1960	313, 318
1945079	1959 – 1960	313, 318
1945373	1961	313, 318
2737929	1960 – 1963	313, 318
2264230	1960 – 1961	313, 318
2264370	1963	313, 318
2268306	1962 – 1967	313, 318
2268509	1962 – 1967	313, 318
2402971	1963 – 1967	313, 318
2468230	1963 – 1967	313, 318
2468260	1963 – 1967	313, 318
2532630	1962 – 1967	313, 318
2532674	1963 – 1967	313, 318
2582630	Unknown – 1967	318 export

Poly Engine Cylinder Head Casting Numbers

Casting Number	Model Year	Displacement	Notes
1618721	1956 – 1961	277, 301, 303, 313, 318, 326	Have an extra cooling port compared to the later heads 78cc Chamber +- 1 – 2 cc
2268341	1962 – 1967	313, 318	2268341-13 head may have a quality control issue I discuss the issue and repair in this article 78cc Chamber +- 1 – 2 cc
2264095	1962 – 1964	313, 318	Often found on export 313 engines. Some of these heads typically on the “Full-Premium” models have an oddball 18mm spark plugs and a slightly larger valve than the other A-block heads. The 18mm spark plug makes them undesirable compared to the 14mm spark plugs found on most A-blocks. 78cc Chamber +- 1 – 2 cc
2668341 with “M”	1962 – 1967	Marine 318	Cylinder heads marked with a large “M” casting are marine versions and include two distinct additional coolant ports (Figures 1a – 1b). See the Marine page for more info. They can be used on automotive engines with the ports plugged. 78cc Chamber +- 1 – 2 cc

Poly 318 Marine Engine Cylinder Head — **Figure 1a: Marine “M” Cylinder Head**

Poly Engine Crankshaft Forging Numbers

Forging Number	Model Year and Displacement	Stroke
1630937	1956 – 1957 (277, 301, 303)	3.13″
1732557	1956 – 1957 (277, 301, 303)	3.13″
1732610	1957 – 1960 (313, 318, 326)	3.31″
1826123	1957 – 1961 (313, 318, 326)	3.31″
1859752	1957 – 1961 (313, 318, 326)	3.31″
2268119	1962 – 1967 (313, 318)	3.31″
2532457	1964 – 1967 (313, 318)	3.31″

Poly Engine Rocker Arm Casting Numbers

Casting Number	Type of Rocker Arm	Displacement
1947503	Intake, Adjustable	1956 – 1959 variant, 277, 301, 303, 313, 318
1947504	Exhaust, Adjustable	1956 – 1959 variant, 277, 301, 303, 313, 318
2208172	Intake, Adjustable	277, 301, 303, 313, 318
2208173	Exhaust, Adjustable	277, 301, 303, 313, 318
1945416	Intake, Nonadjustable	1959 326 and 318 “Full-premium” hydraulic camshaft/lifters
1945419	Exhaust, Nonadjustable	1959 326 and 318 “Full-premium” hydraulic camshaft/lifters
2206172	Intake, Nonadjustable	1960 – 1967 “Full-premium” hydraulic camshaft/lifter package
2206173	Exhaust, Nonadjustable	1960 – 1967 “Full-premium” hydraulic camshaft/lifter package

Poly Engine Intake Manifold Casting Numbers

See the intake manifold page for photos and more details.

Casting Number	Model Year	Type of Intake Manifold
1619826	1956 – 1959	“Fury V-800 Super-Pak” Single 4 barrel 4-barrel production stopped in 1963 except for marine engines
1630944	1956 – 1957	“Fury V-800” Single 2 barrel
1735919	1956 – 1958	“Dual Fury V-800” Factory Aluminum Dual 4 barrel
1822004	1957 – 1958	“Dual Fury V-800” Dual 4 barrel
1859228	1957 – 1967	Single 2 barrel “Fury V-800” for 1957 – 1959
1859229	1957 – 1959	“Fury V-800 Super-Pak” Single 4 barrel
2206383	1960 – 1967	Single 2 barrel
2206384	1960 – 1962	Single 4 Barrel 4-barrel production stopped in 1963 except for marine engines. This casting number is the one usually found on 1962 – 1967 marine engines.
E5793M	1959 – 1967	Marine Carter YH Dual 1 barrel

Poly Engine Exhaust Manifold Casting Numbers

See the exhaust manifold page for photos and more details.

Casting Number	Model Year	Type of Exhaust Manifold
1945094	1956 – approx. 1961	Right center dump with generator bracket
1945095	1956 – approx. 1961	Left and right center dump without generator bracket
2129197	1962 – 1967	Right and left center dump without generator bracket
2268189	Early casting, need dates	Left “log” rear dump with narrower flat front
2532415	approx. 1962 – 1967	Left “log” rear dump with wider flat front
2858331	1962 – 1967 Export Market	Left “log” rear dump with carburetor choke hot-air port

Poly Engine Timing Set Cover Casting Numbers

Casting Number	Model Year	Type of Timing Set Cover
1571046	1959 – 1967	Iron, Industrial “Tall” Housing
1618684	1956	Iron, unique to the 1956 277 and 303 1957 onward A and LA water pumps will not fit
1678241	1957 – 1961	Iron, fits 1957 – 1967 A-block Accepts 1957 onward A and LA water pumps No cast-in timing marker
2128896	1962 – 1967	Aluminum, unique to A-block with one additional bolt hole than LA Accepts 1957 onward A and LA water pumps No cast-in timing marker

Poly A-block Factory Engine Colors (reference photos below)

Notes:

No factory A-block was painted black or orange. Faded red may be mistaken for orange.
No factory car or truck A-block was painted Chrysler Corporation Blue P4349217. Faded Chrysler Turquoise may be mistaken for blue.

Modern Color Equivalents:

Chrysler Silver: Dupli-Color “Cast Coat Aluminum” DE1650 is extremely close if not exact. Hirsch “aluminum” is extremely close/exact. Mopar P4529148 is close but not exact.
Chrysler Gold: Bill Hirsch “Oldsmobile Gold Early” is exact. Dupli-Color DE1604 is very close. Mopar P4529149 is not exact.
Chrysler Red: Dupli-Color DE1632 is exact. Mopar P4349218 can be too orange or too pink.
Chrysler Turquoise: Bill Hirsch “Chrysler Turquoise” and Dupli-Color DE1618 are exact. Mopar P4120752 is often too blue.
Chrysler “Sea-V Blue” metallic (1959 – 1961 marine engines): No commercially available match exists. Color recipe unknown.
- Note: The two metallic blue engine enamels that come to mind are “Oldsmobile 455 Metallic Blue” and “Pontiac Metallic Blue.” The “Oldsmobile 455” hue is too blue and the value too dark. The “Pontiac” value is too light, but the hue looks closer to “Sea-V Blue.” I think ordering a pint of the “Oldsmobile 455 Metallic Blue” and a quart of the “Pontiac Metallic Blue” from Bill Hirsch and mixing the Oldsmobile into the Pontiac to darken it to the desired value may get close.
- One other option that might work is to use a method used to create candy paint jobs where the clear coat is tinted with color. In this case, I would paint the engine with multiple coats of “Pontiac Metallic Blue” until achieving full coverage. After the final coat tacks off but is still wet, fog on a very thin coat of the “Oldsmobile 455 Metallic Blue” to darken the value. If more darkening is desired, fog on another coat after the first one tacks off.
- Aside from locating a factory paint chip or an engine part with undamaged paint, another option is to look through autobody paint chip catalogs to find a paint color that looks close and have a paint supplier or autobody shop mix up a quart.