Posted By: texczech
58 DeSoto ID Questions - 02/23/10 01:31 PM
How do I identify a v8 engine on a 58 DeSoto? Is it a 361, 383 or???. It does have a factory intake and 2 4 barrels. I would also like to convert to a pertronix electronic ignition, but they can't seem to help out much. The distributor is an auto lite IBP4005 1779950. Would any later distributor fit, such as 60's on? Then I think pertronix has a listing for newer distributor conversions. Or, any other advice on getting an electronic ignition system on it. Thanks!
Posted By: demonH1B
Re: 58 DeSoto ID Questions - 02/23/10 04:12 PM
Don,
It's most likely a 361,'58 being the first
year for the b-engine they came in 350 &
361. Any good parts outlet should be able
to supply an electronic conversion for your
distributor, they haven't changed much
thru the late 60's with a 383HP engine,
I like Pertronix, but there are others.
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: 58 DeSoto ID Questions - 02/24/10 01:00 AM
In the 58 model year, the De Soto Firesweep had a 350 2-barrel big block; Firedome, Fireflite and Adventurer had 361's with either 2-barrel, 4-barrel or two 4-barrel intakes.
If your engine's dual quad intake is OEM to that motor, and it's a De Soto engine, then it's definitely a 361 (58 Plymouth Fury offered a dual quad 350, but not Dodge or De Soto). But the factory dual quad B intake will fit either a 361 or a 350 - or, for that matter, any 383 or 400 of any year (the only exception being the RB 383 that was a 59-only, Chrysler-only engine).
A 361 is just a small-bore 383. Any 383-400 distributor will work in a 1958 361 engine - Chrysler electronic, Mallory Unilite, whatever . . . .
Posted By: quickd100
Re: 58 DeSoto ID Questions - 02/24/10 01:44 AM
If it's the original 361 2x4 it was rated at
345hp@5000rpm and 400ftlbs of torque. That year the hp 361 was also available with electronic fuel injection rated at 355hp. Unfortunately, the fuel injection setup was plagued with problems and they were all recalled and the motors were retrofitted with 2x4's. Dave
Posted By: 474218
Re: 58 DeSoto ID Questions - 02/24/10 01:57 AM
According to my sources.
The following engines were available in 1958 DeSoto's:
295 hp 361 2 bbl Standard Firedome
305 hp 361 4 bbl Standard Fireflite Optional Firedome
345 hp 361 2 X 4 bbl Standard Adventure
355 hp 361 F.I. Optional Advanture
The following V8 engines were available in 1958 Plymouth's:
225 hp 318 2 bbl Standard all except Fury
250 hp 318 4 bbl Optional all except Fury
290 hp 318 2 X 4 bbl Standard Fury
305 hp 350 2 X 4 bbl Optional all
315 hp 350 F.I. Optional all
Posted By: Anonymous
Re: 58 DeSoto ID Questions - 02/24/10 02:55 AM
Funny thing about that 345 hp rating for the 58 Adventurer - (it's the same horsepower rating as the 57 Adventurer with a 345 hemi, BTW) - is not only that the De Soto engine somehow had 40 more horsepower than the dual quad 350 Plymouth Fury when the only difference between the two engines was 11 cubic inches, but the De Soto also had 25 more horsepower than a 58 Dodge Super D-500 which had the
same dual-quad 361 engine as the De Soto Adventurer.
