"LA" engine?

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thumbuster

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Well I finally found out what the "P" stands for in my vin but have never heard of an "LA" engine. Can anyone shed some light on it? I know it was a 340/4bbl and back in 68 the 4spd was supposed to have a different cam than the autos and it did have Prestolite dual point distributor but does anyone know what else it was about?
 
All of the Chrysler small blocks are "A" engines until 1964 when they introduced the 273. That engine is an "A" engine that was "Lightened" hence adding the "L" in front of the "A" designation.

The "Poly A" 318 was in production until 1966 here in the states. '67 in Canada.
After that, all small blocks are "LA" engines until the Magnum engine came out. 92/93.
 
"P" in the vin?? Are you referring to the P stamped on the front of a 340 block, under the drivers side head with the vin and displacement stamps? If so, that stands for "premium fuel" or in other words their HP LA motor, 340!!
 
rumblefish360 said:
All of the Chrysler small blocks are "A" engines until 1964 when they introduced the 273. That engine is an "A" engine that was "Lightened" hence adding the "L" in front of the "A" designation.

The "Poly A" 318 was in production until 1966 here in the states. '67 in Canada.
After that, all small blocks are "LA" engines until the Magnum engine came out. 92/93.
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Unless you have something that says otherwise you are incorrect.

The "L" in "LA" engine is for "L"ate A engine, as the early poly stuff were already "A" engines. That's why the lifter bank angle is retarded...Chrysler used the cores from the Poly stuff.

Unless you have proof otherwise "L" does not mean "L"ight.

And magnums are still considered "LA" engines.
 
The "proof" comes from the Chrysler Corporation and is common knowledge.

Stick to your Chevrolets.

Merry Christmas.
 
madscientist said:
Unless you have something that says otherwise you are incorrect.

The "L" in "LA" engine is for "L"ate A engine, as the early poly stuff were already "A" engines. That's why the lifter bank angle is retarded...Chrysler used the cores from the Poly stuff.

Unless you have proof otherwise "L" does not mean "L"ight.

And magnums are still considered "LA" engines.
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I can't find anything printed by Ma Mopar but Wikipedia,Allpar, and Hot Rod magazine all called it "Light A"
 
Here's aquote from Allpar by Engineer Pete Hagenbush: Engineer Pete Hagenbuch said:

The LA (for Light A) engine was developed with a wedge chamber, first as a 273 cid and then as a 318. Remember, this was the time the car lines expanded to three bodies, A, B and C. The 273 was limited to the A and B bodies with the 318 or B Engine in the C Body, which was new to Plymouth at the time.
 
Don't worry everybody, the Mad Sci is trying to get back at me in what he said.

So Mad Sci, how does it feel to be wrong again AND make yourself look like an *** while doing it?

Have a good day Mad.
 
rumblefish360 said:
Don't worry everybody, the Mad Sci is trying to get back at me in what he said.

So Mad Sci, how does it feel to be wrong again AND make yourself look like an *** while doing it?

Have a good day Mad.
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Let me spell it out for you.

The "L" is for "L"ate to separate them from the poly engines.

I could care less what you think. The FACT is that it is "L"ate.

As for what some Chrysler engineer said room some unknown source...go get the latest issue of MoPar Action. It's full of quotes from engineers who don't know crap.

Do the work and shut your mouth.

Now go get a dual plane intake and some 2" exhaust like all your kind did in 1977 (and still thinks is right today).

guys like you are why hot rodding is a screwed up as it is. Like a dog returning to his own vomit, you and your type repeat the same crap over and over.

Now get off my ***.
 
Narcissistic Personality Disorder Definition:

Persons who have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others.

But behind this mask of ultraconfidence lies a fragile self-esteem that's vulnerable to the slightest criticism.
 
madscientist said:
Let me spell it out for you.

The "L" is for "L"ate to separate them from the poly engines.

I could care less what you think. The FACT is that it is "L"ate.

As for what some Chrysler engineer said room some unknown source...go get the latest issue of MoPar Action. It's full of quotes from engineers who don't know crap.

Do the work and shut your mouth.

Now go get a dual plane intake and some 2" exhaust like all your kind did in 1977 (and still thinks is right today).

guys like you are why hot rodding is a screwed up as it is. Like a dog returning to his own vomit, you and your type repeat the same crap over and over.

Now get off my ***.
Click to expand...


[ame]http://youtu.be/C6cxNR9ML8k[/ame]
 
I just looked at my copy of How to Hot Rod Small Block Mopar Engines by Larry Shepard. In chapter 1 it states"As far as performance is concerned, the real story begins with the introduction of the 273 LA engine in 1964. As an LA (lightweight A) engine, it was lighter than the original 1956 engine. It was manufactured using modern, lightweight casting techniques based on a new coring process at the block foundry. The "old" "A" engine was too large and too heavy to fit into many of the upcoming vehicles. The lightweight "A" (LA) was also narrower because of the valves-in-line wedge style head that was used...........................But the key to the LA engine was lightweight and smaller size."

Believe what you want my friend. I'll stick to the facts written by the experts and quoted from Chrysler engineers themselves. tmm
 
"Late A" makes no sense at all!

So what does RB stand for? Redesigned Block?!

Oh, and the LG 170 slants must be "Late G" as well?! Odd choice, considering they were the first slant sixes!
 
First I'd like to thank the following members;

Cornet500 for hitting the nail on the head. BINGO!

And KrazyKuda for the great video and hitting the nail on the head!

Toolman Mike for getting the FACTS straight! Nothing like a quote from Larry Shepard. An engineer that somebody ignores. And that ain't me! I wish I could say that I was, but I'm not. This is were you pay attention to smarter people. Unlike MadSci, who doesn't and ignores smart people. Like Larry Shepard. Next thing he'll ***** about is a crappy vacuum design by Tom Hoover!

vntned for a good laugh.

Fratzog lover for the out loud questioning. Which is answered by MadSci just getting back at me. Or trying....and failing...making himself look REALLY bad!

Special shout out to the MOD 6pk2goDemon for the edits, quote fixes & etc.... Thanks you there buddy!

To the broken nipple head... (That would be you MadSci.) messing with you is like shooting fish in the barrel, with one weird catch... your a fish that takes the gun outta my hand and shoots yourself while saying. "Not like that, like this!!!!"

and then you repeatedly pull the trigger.

I'd get off your *** but it isn't me on it. It must be that vomiting dog. You do it to yourself.
Normally, I'd like to play with you and what little brain you have, but you so full of crap, even the people in your home state are PM'ing me with LOL's and stating just what kind of jack *** you make yourself to be. Wondering who the hell you are.

Tell me, IF you have been doing this for so long, then how come none of the fellowship know who the heck you are? If you have been doing this for decades, surely somebody close to you should know you. Right? Please, do show me the list, the trophies, the keys to the city!

LMAO, well, not really, this really is a yawn ladies and gentlemen.
 
I have never seen anything straight from Chrysler as to what LA stood for. Although I have read both "Lightweight A" and "Late A".

It is very likely similar to the Ford 351M engine. Some say the M stands for "modified" some say "Midland" some say "Michigan", but Ford's response is they simply threw a letter behind the new 351M to designate it from the already produced 351W.

I suspect Chrysler did a similar thing with the LA.

I am not arguing the point, just throwing it out there. Does anybody have any evidence straight from Chrysler?
 
Chrysler Assistant Chief Engineer-Engine Design Willem Weertman who worked on the conversion had said so in many interviews, which is good enough for me and most others.
 
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