1962 Mopar 383/343 HP 'Stocker'

[Paul Ceasrine]

Here is that sneaky magazine,,,,,,,,

Speed Mechanics, February 1962

Featuring;
* 1962 Chrysler Corporation Highlights
* Dodge Goes Draggin'
* Dodge Dart Model #440, 'Police Special 383'

[Paul Ceasrine]

1962 Dodge (intermediates);

Dodge Dart
Dodge Dart #330
Dodge Dart #440
Dodge Polara 500

Police Special '383'
This package was available in the Dodge Dart Model #440 only.
The Dart 'top line' trim model.

The Dart Model #440 was available in the;
2-Door Hardtop
4-Door Hardtop
4-Door Sedan
4-Door Sedan (2-Seater Suburban)
Convertible

1962 Dodge Dart Model #440 Production numbers
* 2-Door Hardtop,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,6000
* 4-Door Hardtop,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,3000
* 4-Door Sedan,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,2000
* 4-Door Sedan (Suburban),,,,,,,,400
* Convertible,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,2000
* Total Production,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,13,400

[Paul Ceasrine]

LSMFT,

No major difference between the Dart Model #440 and Polara 500.

Car weights;
Dart Model #440,,,,,#3261 lbs. (w/383/343 HP = 9.50 Wt/Hp)
Polara 500,,,,,,,,,,,,,,#3313 lbs. (w/383/343 HP = 9.66 Wt/Hp)

The Polara 500 had a different grille, it was blacked out with '7' vertical chrome strips.
A few different exterior molding trim sections.
And, some better interior trim appointments.
It also had, standard dual-exhaust.

Both cars would be in the same NHRA Class with the 383/343 HP.

[Paul Ceasrine]

More on the 383/343 HP,,,, 'Police Special'

Found in, May 1962 Dodge Fleet Engine Service documents.

The 'special secret camshaft',,,,,,,,.(.430 lift / 268* Duration)

[Barnstorm]

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

More on the 383/343 HP,,,, 'Police Special'

Found in, May 1962 Dodge Fleet Engine Service documents.

The 'special secret camshaft',,,,,,,,.(.430 lift / 268* Duration)

That's the std cam for the 413-385hp motors. All the Ramcharger boys were going nuts in R&D and in the parts catlogs.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Bill,

Somewhere along the line, the NHRA approved the
.445 lift / 284* duration camshaft for the 383/343 HP engine.

A Clay Smith design came in what year...???

Lunati was making the 'blueprinted replacement camshaft' in 1966.

Some 'mystery engine' we have here...

The Fleet Sales Brochure states that the 'Police Special 383' was available in the
* Dart Model #440 2-Door Hardtop
* Dart Model #440 4-Door Sedan
* Dart Model #440 4-Door Sedan (2-Seater Suburban)

[Paul Ceasrine]

The 383/343 'puzzle' is coming together,,,,,,,,

Origially called the 'Pursuit 8', then the 'Police Special 383',,,,,,,

In 1962, available in the
1962 Dodge Dart #440 Models of;
* 2-Door Hardtop
* 4-Door Sedan
* 4-Door Sedan (2-Seat Suburban)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 'original' 'Police Special 383' engine was a;
10.0- 1 Compression-ratio
.430 Lift / 268* Duration Camshaft
Hydraulic Lifters
Closed Chamber Cylinder-heads (73.5 cc) (Casting #2206924)
2.08 Intake / 1.60 Exhaust
Single 4-Barrel Intake
Carter AFB Carburetor (575 CFM; 1 7/16" x 1 9/16") (Special-tuned)
Dual-exhaust
Dual-point Distributor

8 3/4 Rear-axle
3.23 Sure-Grip Posi-rear
Heavy-Duty Suspension Package (Springs, Shocks and Torsion-bars)
7.50 x 14" Tires
14" x 5.5" Rims
Heavy-Duty Brakes (11" x 3" Front, 11" x 2 1/2" Rear)
Brake Drums (Finned for cooling / Flanged for strength)

Transmissions;
Torque-Flite w/High-speed governor
Manual 3-Speed, w/Floor shifter and 10 1/2" clutch

[Barnstorm]

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

Bill,

Somewhere along the line, the NHRA approved the
.445 lift / 284* duration camshaft for the 383/343 HP engine.

A Clay Smith design came in what year...???

Lunati was making the 'blueprinted replacement camshaft' in 1966.

Some 'mystery engine' we have here...

The Fleet Sales Brochure states that the 'Police Special 383' was available in the
* Dart Model #440 2-Door Hardtop
* Dart Model #440 4-Door Sedan
* Dart Model #440 4-Door Sedan (2-Seater Suburban)

The .425 / 264 cam in the orig 62 specs was not poduced. Jim Johnson ran the 284/.445 cam in 62 but it was not published in NHRA specs until Maxwell approved [re-approved] the 343 combo after the '65 Nats....the "Police Special" motor was NOT the 343 motor but appears to be a '61 383 4bbl motor...Bill

[Hemi Moose]

Boy there sure is a lot of cops around...well gotta go...see ya around.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Knowing the car weights,,,,,,,,,,

Both the 1962;
* Dart Model #440 2-Door Hardtop (9.50 Wt/Hp),,,,,, (6000 built)
* Polara 500 2-Door Hardtop (9.66 Wt/Hp),,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,(6973 built)

Approximate cost of cars with 361/305 HP engine, Torque-Flite and Sure-Grip Differential;
* Dart Model #440,,,,,,,,$2992
* Polara 500,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,$3280

Special Order Option;
* 'Pursuit 8', Police Special 383/330 HP',,,,,,,,$135

Over-The-Counter 383/343 HP Option Kit;
* Price Not Available

were perfect fits for 1963 NHRA B/SA (9.50 - 10.59 Wt/Hp) Class,
with the 383/343 HP engine.

The base Dart and Dart Model #330 were too light....

seems like the 'biggest problem' with low production numbers,,,,,,,
finding one of those cars,,,,,,,,,,,