Re: {Chrysler 300} 64 Ram K

Maybe just me, but I do get a kick out of hearing about the quirky configurations/exceptions, etc. regarding Mopars of the era.

On my G, and quite possibly other years, there is a 'dimple' depression in the underhood stamping of the sheetmetal only on the driver's side, not the passenger side. It looks suspiciously like an afterthought to allow for the hood to close without hitting the battery hold down shaft.

I always wondered if it was there from the beginning, or if they found out it was needed the first time someone went to close the hood on a new pre-production car. ;-)

I also wonder why they didn't just shorten the hold down shaft instead of complicating the hood metal. I have a large group 27 battery in the car and the hold down would work fine if it was shortened enough to not need the dimple. Were original style batteries in the early 60's that much taller? Inquiring minds like to know these things.

Also glad to hear it was Keith's fault for me thinking a short ram K could have a 4 speed! ;-)

On Wed, Aug 26, 2026 at 4:54 AM Bob Merritt <bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Something else you could not get with the manual transmission.

Tilt wheel.

Turns out the turn signal switch, which is unique to tilt wheel, is

in the path of the clutch pedal. This was true only in 1964.

For 1965, Chrysler moved

the turn signal switch, rotated it 90 degrees up to the top of the

steering column. It cleared the clutch pedal, and you could

get tilt wheel with the manual.

On 8/25/2026 11:08 PM, Carl Bilter wrote:

I think that my earlier response is being misunderstood - please allow me to clarify - you could get A/C on a ram car (F,G,J,K) - you just couldn't get A/C with the 4 speed trans. Perhaps because of concerns about smooth gear engagement with the heavy engine load of the A/C compressor when engaged, or aggressive shifting, but I'm just guessing.  You also couldn't get Auto-Pilot with the 4 speed trans (cruise control was not offered on vehicles with manual trans until later - 1980's?) and you couldn't get Auto-Pilot on a ram car because there was no way it would fit with the left carb in the way. This is per the 1964 order code list found in the tech dept. of our club web site:  1964 Chrysler Order Code List The 4 speed trans order code is 343.

There is a tremendous amount of tech data like this on our web site. You might have to dig a little to find it, but it will answer a lot of questions.

Carl

------ Original Message ------

From "John Nowosacki" <jsnowosacki@xxxxxxxxx>

To "Carl Bilter" <cbilter@xxxxxxxxx>

Cc "Val Jeffers" <edward1108@xxxxxxxxx>; "Club International Chrysler" <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Date 8/25/2026 8:47:58 PM

Subject Re: Re[2]: {Chrysler 300} 64 Ram K

Thanks Carl,

I was aware of auto pilot being incompatible with rams.

Was it the rpm range and/or horsepower that kept the 4 speed and A/C away from the short rams? Certainly A/C would mount similarly to how it does on a G with long rams. No idea about the 4 speed though.

Back in those 'good old days' dealers could/would do some funky stuff if you shoveled enough money at them. I wasn't old enough to be a buyer then, and dad had no money to shovel. We drove Plymouths, not even Dodges or DeSoto's, let alone Letter Cars. ;-(

An older friend of mine had a Dodge D501 convertible with manual trans and overdrive special ordered from his local dealer. Said he had lots of head gasket issues with the engine, but no clutch or transmission issues.

On Tue, Aug 25, 2026 at 7:31 PM Carl Bilter <cbilter@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

The 4 speed trans was not available with group 332, the Ram K engine option. It was also not available with A/C or Auto-Pilot.

82 Ks were built with the 4 speed, all of them with the Firepower 360hp single 4 bbl.

Carl B.

------ Original Message ------

From "John Nowosacki" <jsnowosacki@xxxxxxxxx>

To "Val Jeffers" <edward1108@xxxxxxxxx>

Cc "Club International Chrysler" <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Date 8/25/2026 2:40:19 PM

Subject Re: {Chrysler 300} 64 Ram K

Not sure that one was ever ordered, but I think the K was available with rams, A/C, 4-speed, and a convertible top. That would have been pretty special. Speaking of which, I think the F Special in 1960 would also qualify as a ram inducted, air conditioned, 4-speed convertible, and obviously a bit more 'special' than the number of K convertibles built.

With a shorter 122" wheelbase, and a 390HP short ram set up, perhaps the K would give the F Special a run for its money?

Not available, but theoretically possible, a 70 Hurst convertible with 426 Hemi or 440 with 3-2bbl (Dodge was Six-Pack, Plymouth was 6-BBL, wonder what Chrysler would have called it?), but I don't think A/C was available with the Hemi or the 3 deuces, though I've seen it done after the fact by owners of Plymouths and Dodges.

On Tue, Aug 25, 2026 at 1:52 PM 'Val Jeffers' via Chrysler 300 Club International <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Just wondering, was there a 4 speed built ? I don’t think I have ever heard of one.

Thanks,

Val J

Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

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