Technical 1950's MoPar engine advice

I am building a 1941 Plymouth Business Coupe. (Traditional 50's era build)

What size MoPar engine would have been a realistic upgrade in the 1950's that your average Joe could have found and bought to put in a 1941 Plymouth Business Coupe? Poly 318? Hemi?

Thanks guys!

 

I would go with a HEMI. It is my personal favorite. But its your car and you can put what ever engine suits your fancy. Keep us posted with your progress and good luck with the project.

 

Baby Hemi...Desoto, Chrysler, etc.
I put a 472 Cadillac in a 41 Plym.

 

Anyone selling a motor and trans or know anyone who has one for sale in Chicago land or surrounding state area?

 

Traditional would have been to swap in a larger, later model six.

 

I think a slant six would look wild in there.

 

The big 265 'Spitfire' Chrysler flathead six was once the hot ticket.
Gobs of torque, from just off-idle. (Peak torque @ 1600 RPM.)

 

"Traditional 50's era build"

'Modern' OHV V-8 engines, of any sort were in short supply in the 50's. Remember that they just came out in 49 (Olds and Cad) and MotherMopar followed in 51. No doubt they were expensive for the average joe.
You might look at some of the 'little' books and see what was used but I'd guess that until the 60's most 40' & 50's hot-rods had the oem engine with add-ons.

I suggest a bit of fudging and use something like the 318 Poly. They came out in 1956 and are very cheap today. If you find a 63 or 64 donor car then you might also use the PB torqueflight. Most folks have no clue how much power they can produce with a few special parts tossed in the mix. 402 cubic inch anyone?

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If you could find one a baby hemi might come close to bolting up.