ENGINE SPECS

1956 De Soto Fireflite 330 V8 Engine Specs

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

Model Designation: FirefliteDome V8 - S24

Wheel base: 126

Valve Location: In block

Bore and Stroke: 3.72 x 3.8

Piston displacement, Cubic Inches: 330

Compression ratio: 8.5

Maximum Brake Horsepower: 255 @ 4400 RPM

Maximum Torque Lbs.Ft. @ RPM: 350 @ 3200

Normal Oil Pressure Pounds: 50-65

TUNE UP SPECIFICATIONS

Spark Plug Make: Auto-Lite 4R-52

Spark Plug Gap, Inch: .035

Firing Order: 18436572 From front to rear Left bank: 1-3-5-7; Right bank: 2-4-6-8

Ignition Timing: 4 degrees BTDC Timing mark location: Vib. Damp.

Engine Idle Speed, RPM: 475

Cylinder Head Torque Lbs.Ft.: 85

Compression Pressure & Cranking Speed: 130 Min.

PISTON AND RING SPECIFICATIONS

Fitting Pistons with Scale:
Removed from above
Shim thickness to use: .002
Pounds on Pull Scale: 5 to 12

Rings: (Fit rings in tapered bores for clearance shown in tightest portion of ring travel.)
Compression: .010; Oil: .010
Clearance in groove: Compression: .001-.0025; Oil: .001-.0025

Wristpin Diameter, Inch: .9216-.9218

VALVE SPECIFICATIONS

Operating Clearance:
Intake: 0 Exhaust: 0

Clearance for timing Intake: 0

Valve Seat Angle, degrees: 45

Valve Timing: (BTDC = before top dead center; ATDC = after top dead center)
Intake opens: 15 BTDC
Exhaust Closes: 15 ATDC

Valve Spring Pressure Pounds at Inches Length:
Inner Spring: 72 @ 1.69; No Outer Spring

Valve Stem Clearance:
Intake: .002
Exhaust: .003

ENGINE BEARING SPECIFICATIONS

Connecting Rod Bearings:
    Journal Diameter, Inches: 2.249 - 2.250
    Bearing Clearance, Inch: .0005-.0015
    Rod End Play, Inch: .006-.014
    Rod Bolt Tension, Lbs.Ft.: 45-50

Main Bearings:
    Journal Diameter, Inches: 2.5
    Bearing clearance: .0005-.0015
    Shaft End Play: .002-.007 (Thrust taken by center bearing)
    Main bolt tension, Lbs.Ft.: 80-85

CAPACITY DATA

Cooling System:
Without heater: 23 quarts
With heater: 24 quarts

Fuel Tank: 21 gallons

Engine Oil: 4 quarts

Transmission: Automatic: 10 quarts

Rear Axle: 3-1/2 pints

AUTO-LITE DISTRIBUTOR SPECIFICATIONS

Distributor part number: 1BJ-4302 (distributor rotates clockwise)

Cam Angle, degrees: 31

Breaker Point opening, Inch: .017 Plus or minus .002

Condenser Capacity: .25-.28 Mfds.

Breaker Arm Spring Tension: 17-20 Oz.

Centrifugal Advance: (degrees at RPM of distributor)
Advance starts 1 degrees @ 375
Full Advance: 8-1/2 degrees @ 2200

Vacuum Advance Data:
   Degrees @ Inches of Mercury:
       Advance starts: 1 @ 6
       Full Advance: 12-1/2 @ 15

AUTO-LITE GENERATOR SPECIFICATIONS

Generator Number: GJC-7002A, GJC-7003B (generator rotates clockwise, 12 volts, Positive Ground)

Generator output: 30 @ 2250 RPM

Brush Spring Tension: 18-36 oz.

Field Current: 1.2-1.3 at 10 volts

AUTO-LITE REGULATOR SPECIFICATIONS

Regulator Number: VRX-6201A

Cutout Relay:
    Voltage to close points: 13.4
    Reverse current to Open Points (Amps): 8.2 - 9.3
    Armature Air Gap: .031

Voltage Regulator Setting: 14.4 volts

Current Regulator Setting: 34 amps

Current and voltage armature air gap, Inch: .048

AUTO-LITE STARTING MOTOR SPECIFICATIONS

Part number: MDF-6001 (starter rotates clockwise)

Bush Spring Tension, Ounces: 42-53

No Load Test: 60 amps, 10 volts @ 3200 RPM

Torque Test: 240 Amps, 4.0 volts, Torque, Lbs.Ft.: 6.5

WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS

Caster, Degrees
Limits: -2 to 0
Desired: -2; w/power steering: 0

Camber, Degrees
Limits: -1/8 to +5/8
Desired: Left: +1/2, Right: 0

Toe-In, Inches: 1/8

Toe-Out on Turns, Degrees: (If toe-out is incorrect, when other adjustments are correct, look for bent steering arms.)
Outer wheel: 20
Inner Wheel: 20-1/2 to 22-1/2

Kingpin Angle, Degrees: 5-1/2 at 0 camber