Have tech question. Can I put a 2 speed powerflite push ****on trans behind an extended bellhousing 331 hemi? Any info would be much appreciated
Have a browse through all the info on this master thread: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/hemi-tech-index.118764/ Also give Bob a call at https://www.hothemiheads.com/ He used to have adapters made for the extended engines, but I think that was for going to modern trans, not sure if anything wild is required for going to Powerflite. ~Peter
OK, so why the PF? The PF started in 1954. The extended block essentially stopped in 1953...yes, there were some extended blocks found in 1954 cars but, very few and they would have had the M6 trans. What are the goals?
The 51-53 331 is going to be the hardest to work with due to the block. Don't ignore the Poly versions of the various Hemi engines.
If I were going to do something that required much modification in order to accomplish it, I'd at least go with a push****on Torqueflite.
That is the problem with MaMopar, 'supposed to have'... The 51-54 parts book says 1954 8 cyl Chrysler uses a PF and indicates some parts variations before and after certain engine numbers. There does not seem to be a part number for a special bell.......never say never with MaMopar.....
Shop manual shows the flat bell. Maybe the 4 bl was so popular they didn't make many 2 bl engines in '54.
A few years ago I was in Ocala, FL and visited the Don Garlits museum. I too believed that any extended bellhousing Mopar used the M6 semi-automatic. Garlits has an extensive collection of early hemi stuff INCLUDING a “Chrysler 331 hemi…extended bellhousing with the above mentioned ‘flat bell’ Powerflite”. I could scarcely believe my eyes, but it was setup like a factory display engine on an purpose built engine cradle. I looked it over pretty thoroughly and it checked all the boxes …… I feel fairly certain I took some pics, but after a few computer crashes in intervening years, I am doubtful I will find any. But, if I do, I’ll return to this thread and post them. Don’t hold your breath….. Ray
That should be absolutely no problem. All Desoto V8 (began in ‘52) and Dodge V8 (began in ‘53) engines used the same rear block face/bolt pattern as Chrysler V8s did beginning in ‘54. Crankshaft flange, block dimensions and bolt pattern all the same. Ray
I'll have to have another look at the parts manual. My belief is that they simply used up what inventory was on the shelf and made it work. It seems to me that, based only on my upbringing in the 50's, is that after the war most folks were still being frugal. It would not make economic sense to maintain two very different block/trans packages. Keep in mind that the 51-53 is quite different in many aspects from the 54 version and having two separate parts bins would eventually lead to disaster.
In my post I am not suggesting that there were any significant numbers of long bell 331 blocks equipped with Powerflite transmissions. I am only recounting what I saw with my own eyes, along with a display poster board with some information about the eng/trans. My own experience with early Chrysler hemis derives from having parted out a ‘51 New Yorker when I was 18 (1962) and stuffing the 331 and semi-auto into my ‘53 Plymouth Convertible. I did get it operational, if having to push start it doesn’t disqualify ‘operational..(starter motor interference with steering gear box). In any case, the compromises for a poorly equipped youth were so many, that I pulled the hemi and re-installed the original 6/stick. I later used the insight gained and swapped a ‘55 Dodge D55-3 270 hemi in my buddy’s similar ‘53 Plymouth. Used the stock ‘55 Dodge short bell and the ‘53 stick trans. Sectioned/narrowed the frame rail to make room for the starter motor. The much reduced wight and bulk of the Dodge vs the longbell hemi was substantial and the result was a stock appearing install. Which it was, in a way, in that the ‘53 up Dodge had the 241 hemi and Mopar reshaped the frame rails enough, and revamped the steering linkage, to accommodate the starter. I later owned a really sweet ‘53 New Yorker Coupe that was so smooth and quiet you really had to pay attention to know it was running when at a stop light. I still have Dodge and Chrysler V8s from the mid to late ‘50s in my …ahem…’collection’. Ray
In '57 they were making high deck 392s, low deck 354 Polys and 354 Truck, marine & Ind hemis, DeSoto hemis, Dodge hemis car, truck, Ind, and Polys, 3 sizes of Plymouth A polys. Quite a parts bin!
I came across your name a few times while researching 53/54 Dodge stuff. I appreciate all your knowledge on the early Dodges manual transmission versus fluid drive and the long input shafts. I'm trying to collect all the pieces to convert a 2 door 54 Dodge from powerflite to 3 speed with OD. I have a reference car so I'm trying to find/ duplicate all the pieces needed to give our second car fun factor and nimbleness.
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