msgjd
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I have yet to see one in the M880/890's, but I bet this obscure fact blows a lot of minds out there ..
Call me crazy but there are some things you cannot un-see once you see it .. Since 1983 I have owned a 1977 plymouth trailduster some friends called "The Beast"... I plowed, mountain-climbed, mudded, and hauled everything imaginable in it and yanked a 6T beavertail equipment trailer.. It's in a sad state now but remains an occasional donor so others can live .. It's original 318 engine had "IH" cast on it... A couple years later I scrapped the engine (and evidence) after it suffered a seized and subsequent busted wrist pin.. It made me do a double and triple-take when I first saw the IH marks.. ( I have a pic of them but who knows where pics are now). It was the only "IH-318" I ever saw or heard of, until today ..
The backstory I had assumed all these years, as to why this engine : Chrysler was apparently stressed by the M880/890 contract and it was causing delays on the civilian side 1975-77.. I recall a dealership owner (right before I enlisted) explain to a buyer why his new 1976 truck was taking so long to arrive, and he also used it as an excuse why parts for my '71 had not showed up yet.. As we know, the 318 was the spec'd engine for the M880/890 ... In recent years it has been said Chrysler contracted to have IH make 318 blocks during the time period of the contract ... I think my old heads had "IH" on them too, but don't recall without the pics.. I still have those heads somewhere.. Maybe IH assembled the whole engine for Chrysler Corp as well ? ..
I have not run across an "IH-318" in any M880/890's (yet).. So, those of you out in M880 land, it appears as an "IH" within a small raised circle on the lower side of the block by a frost plug, and at the back of the block (hidden inside the bell housing).. Today I did a websearch and found just a few mentions of the IH-318.. A fellow said he had one in a '77 dodge demon, and another person discovered a 1977 IH-318 stuffed in his car as well.. Another commented on how his machinist had come across these "IH" motors from the mid-late 1970's and "hated their high nickel content" , and another confirmed it by claiming to have worked in the IH foundry during the time.. And of course, I had one in my '77 4x4 Trail Duster.. Attached is a borrowed online pic of evidence, yet another 1977 "IH-318" engine. ... Well, I guess I was not seeing things after all !!!
pic credited to "junior340" in idaho
Call me crazy but there are some things you cannot un-see once you see it .. Since 1983 I have owned a 1977 plymouth trailduster some friends called "The Beast"... I plowed, mountain-climbed, mudded, and hauled everything imaginable in it and yanked a 6T beavertail equipment trailer.. It's in a sad state now but remains an occasional donor so others can live .. It's original 318 engine had "IH" cast on it... A couple years later I scrapped the engine (and evidence) after it suffered a seized and subsequent busted wrist pin.. It made me do a double and triple-take when I first saw the IH marks.. ( I have a pic of them but who knows where pics are now). It was the only "IH-318" I ever saw or heard of, until today ..
The backstory I had assumed all these years, as to why this engine : Chrysler was apparently stressed by the M880/890 contract and it was causing delays on the civilian side 1975-77.. I recall a dealership owner (right before I enlisted) explain to a buyer why his new 1976 truck was taking so long to arrive, and he also used it as an excuse why parts for my '71 had not showed up yet.. As we know, the 318 was the spec'd engine for the M880/890 ... In recent years it has been said Chrysler contracted to have IH make 318 blocks during the time period of the contract ... I think my old heads had "IH" on them too, but don't recall without the pics.. I still have those heads somewhere.. Maybe IH assembled the whole engine for Chrysler Corp as well ? ..
I have not run across an "IH-318" in any M880/890's (yet).. So, those of you out in M880 land, it appears as an "IH" within a small raised circle on the lower side of the block by a frost plug, and at the back of the block (hidden inside the bell housing).. Today I did a websearch and found just a few mentions of the IH-318.. A fellow said he had one in a '77 dodge demon, and another person discovered a 1977 IH-318 stuffed in his car as well.. Another commented on how his machinist had come across these "IH" motors from the mid-late 1970's and "hated their high nickel content" , and another confirmed it by claiming to have worked in the IH foundry during the time.. And of course, I had one in my '77 4x4 Trail Duster.. Attached is a borrowed online pic of evidence, yet another 1977 "IH-318" engine. ... Well, I guess I was not seeing things after all !!!
pic credited to "junior340" in idaho
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