Chrysler History
More Chrysler History, On the Plant floor:
I was wondering the other day how hard it would be to sneak a different engine, at the factory, into your dealer ordered vehicle. I know it was done because I saw it and did it BUT I did not sneak a Hemi into a vehicle to replace a, say, 318 or any A engine. I know that back then I could switch tags on the engine and get it on the engine sub assembly line. After that I would have to follow it at least to the Main assembly line. If it got in the vehicle it would likely be fine except rhe vehicle may go to a repair hole for not passing a buy-off by inspection. Maybe a 340 engine instead of a 318 4bbl. could happen. I would say someone would need the assistance of a handful of people at least. It would be difficult to get the vehicle down the Main line without someone noticing. Especially the Hemi. If someone ordered a B, RB engine it would be much easier. Maybe a 440 The dealer assistance might have tripped me up but since I was local to most Chrysler plants I'm sure that I could find someone to pass the vehicle inspection at the dealer. Actually, the easiest way was to pickup your vehicle from the dealer and use plant connections to bring the vehicle into the plant for an engine swap. Most of those were done on 3rd shift in the repair holes near the rolls. You could buy anything or do anything in the plants back then with $$$. Sometimes $$$$.$$