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Chrysler B engine
The Chrysler B and RB engines are a series of big-block V8 gasoline engines introduced in 1958 to replace the Chrysler FirePower (first generation Hemi) engines. The B and RB engines are often referred to as "wedge" engines because they use wedge-shaped combustion chambers; this differentiates them from Chrysler's 426 Hemi big block engines that are typically referred to as "Hemi" or "426 Hemi" due to their hemispherical shaped combustion chambers. The corporation had been seeking a smaller and lighter replacement for its FirePower engines, in part because new styling dictates meant moving the engine forward in the chassis which negatively affected weight distribution.
Design features of the B and RB engines include 17 capscrews per cylinder head, a cylinder block that extends 3 in (76.2 mm) below the crankshaft centerline, an intake manifold not exposed to crankcase oil on the underside, stamped-steel shaft-mounted rocker arms (race versions used forged steel rockers), and a front-mounted external oil pump driven by the camshaft. In order to provide a lower hood and center of gravity, the engine to be mounted lower than before. Apart from changing the engine dimensions and engine mount position, this also entailed reconsidering the distributor drive and oil pump locations. The oil pump could not be allowed to extend below the crank throw to avoid interfering with the steering linkage. The engineers moved the distributor to the front of the engine, at a 45-degree angle, which cleared the heater while allowing the oil pump to be located in front of the block - above the bottom of the crank's throw, clearing the steering linkage.
The 'B' series wedge engine was introduced in 1958 with 350 cu in (5.7 L) and 361 cu in (5.9 L) versions. The 361 would continue in production until the end of the series, albeit only for truck installation. The RB ("raised B") arrived one year after the launch of the B series engines, in 383 cu in (6.3 L) and 413 cu in (6.8 L) displacements. Unlike the previous B-engines, which had a 3+3⁄8-inch (85.7 mm) stroke, the RB engines had a 3+3⁄4-inch (95.3 mm) stroke.
For 1960, a "ram induction" system increased the 413's torque up to 495 lb⋅ft (671 N⋅m) on the Chrysler 300F versions.
The last 'B-RB' wedge-headed engine was produced in August 1978, ending the era of Chrysler "big-block" engines.
All Low Block B-series engines have a 3+3⁄8 in (85.7 mm) stroke, a 9.98 in (253 mm) deck height and 6.358 in (161.5 mm) connecting rods, resulting in a 1.88:1 rod ratio.
The 350 cu in (5,735 cc) B engine was, along with the 361, the first production B engine, first available in 1958. It had a bore of 4+1⁄16 in (103 mm; 4.06 in). The 350 is classified as a big-block engine. All parts except for the pistons are fully compatible with the 361.
Vehicles using the B 350:
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Chrysler B engine AI simulator
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Chrysler B engine
The Chrysler B and RB engines are a series of big-block V8 gasoline engines introduced in 1958 to replace the Chrysler FirePower (first generation Hemi) engines. The B and RB engines are often referred to as "wedge" engines because they use wedge-shaped combustion chambers; this differentiates them from Chrysler's 426 Hemi big block engines that are typically referred to as "Hemi" or "426 Hemi" due to their hemispherical shaped combustion chambers. The corporation had been seeking a smaller and lighter replacement for its FirePower engines, in part because new styling dictates meant moving the engine forward in the chassis which negatively affected weight distribution.
Design features of the B and RB engines include 17 capscrews per cylinder head, a cylinder block that extends 3 in (76.2 mm) below the crankshaft centerline, an intake manifold not exposed to crankcase oil on the underside, stamped-steel shaft-mounted rocker arms (race versions used forged steel rockers), and a front-mounted external oil pump driven by the camshaft. In order to provide a lower hood and center of gravity, the engine to be mounted lower than before. Apart from changing the engine dimensions and engine mount position, this also entailed reconsidering the distributor drive and oil pump locations. The oil pump could not be allowed to extend below the crank throw to avoid interfering with the steering linkage. The engineers moved the distributor to the front of the engine, at a 45-degree angle, which cleared the heater while allowing the oil pump to be located in front of the block - above the bottom of the crank's throw, clearing the steering linkage.
The 'B' series wedge engine was introduced in 1958 with 350 cu in (5.7 L) and 361 cu in (5.9 L) versions. The 361 would continue in production until the end of the series, albeit only for truck installation. The RB ("raised B") arrived one year after the launch of the B series engines, in 383 cu in (6.3 L) and 413 cu in (6.8 L) displacements. Unlike the previous B-engines, which had a 3+3⁄8-inch (85.7 mm) stroke, the RB engines had a 3+3⁄4-inch (95.3 mm) stroke.
For 1960, a "ram induction" system increased the 413's torque up to 495 lb⋅ft (671 N⋅m) on the Chrysler 300F versions.
The last 'B-RB' wedge-headed engine was produced in August 1978, ending the era of Chrysler "big-block" engines.
All Low Block B-series engines have a 3+3⁄8 in (85.7 mm) stroke, a 9.98 in (253 mm) deck height and 6.358 in (161.5 mm) connecting rods, resulting in a 1.88:1 rod ratio.
The 350 cu in (5,735 cc) B engine was, along with the 361, the first production B engine, first available in 1958. It had a bore of 4+1⁄16 in (103 mm; 4.06 in). The 350 is classified as a big-block engine. All parts except for the pistons are fully compatible with the 361.
Vehicles using the B 350: