Main difference between early and late hydraulic lifters is the pushrod tip and the lifter seat on early lifters is 1/4" and later pushrods have 5/16". Otherwise, the lifters are pretty much the same. jack vines, who uses the A879"s in his Packard V8s, which also fit the early wide-block Mopar 318"s.
I would replace any OEM cast iron or steel part for which an aluminum or magnesium replacement is available. Weight matters in a hot rod. These things are heavy stock, but can be trimmed down a lot.
I pulled the engine out of a bone stock '54 New Yorker myself in 1991. Complete with a "wet" 4 BBL manifold. I also have a '56 331 out of a dump truck, so I know the difference.
Here's my late 54 331 Hemi with a wet manifold in my 51 Merc .Recently put an MSD distributor and edelbrock carb on it,not shown in this pic. Big difference on my stock motor.
Depends on year. Read through this: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...filters-pumps-pans.117468/page-4#post-6926148
Thanx for the info. That's a variation I never heard about. Except for truck heads, never heard of a wet 354. Incidentally that wet 4bbl manifold is worth the national debt!! I made my own for my 331 by brazing a couple pipe stubs in bored holes in a standard 354 manifold and welding up a thermostat housing. Also I adapted a 340 electronic distributor by welding a 1/4" long tab on the tip. Drops right in and have factory electronic ignition. I'm too cheap to buy the vendor stuff!
I think we should all start over. You are right that there are no "wet" 354's. Mr Mercules and I both clearly stated that we have '54 331's which have "wet" manifolds. BTW, how much us the national debt lately? I have an extra "wet" '54 4BBL manifold.
Actually standard on the NYer Deluxe & Imperial, and apparently they didn't put too many 2 bl engines in the NYer.
Got it! I misread your first comment. My statement that the 331 and 354 are 'the same' refers to most of the engine components are interchangeable. biggest difference is the 354 cylinders are 1/8" larger in diameter. The 331 had wet manifolds into early '54, then changed to the crossover heads later that year and stayed that way for the duration. Your wet 4bbl manifold was only made for the short early '54 331 passenger car production run so are quite rare. The truck 354 heads were always wet which makes them great replacements for wet 331s. Actually I contend they should be in huge demand for 392 drag racers too. They don't have the pesky water ports on the ends, have hardened exhaust seats and biggest hemi valves and huge ports. Plus since they are hot water manifold heaters, they don't have the Siamese inner exhaust ports that must be welded to make them header compatible. And, being 'undesirable' truck heads, the price is really low.
That's nice work! Can you give me a measurement from the front of the block to the front of the fan boss on the water pump?
I missed this earlier...The important difference between early and late lifters is the location of the oil feed groove. There is only a short time when the correct groove sees the oil feed hole/slot in the lifter bore. If you move the lifter groove either higher or lower then the 'window of opportunity' shrinks accordingly. Now, mix in a reground cam that lowers the feed groove and you will not likely get adequate oil to the lifter.
I know so little, I feel unworthy to even ask this question. The issue is that I have a line on what is advertised as a 1956 354" engine. It is reportedly from a back up power generator of some sort so has ridiculously low hours. The engine is complete and running, but I have not seen it in person so there's nothing more I can add. My question is as to whether this particular engine, given its presumed standby use, is a decent acquisition? The vendor is asking $6500CDN I have little notion about how fair the price is. Any wisdom from experts?
Too rich for my blood. Seller would have to allow startup, run to temp and checking oil pressure for that kind of coin. If it was an Imperial 392 with solid cam and adjustable rockers/bulged covers, it would be much more in line, or if it was a fresh build from a known builder - which would be cheap. DISCLAIMER: Your finances, transport, storage and desire may be different.
I tell ya', I'd think hard and long on that deal, depending on what $6500CDN works out to be US. If I only wanted a street engine, that would be perfect. As @RodStRace said, "the (s)eller would have to allow startup, run to temp and checking oil pressure" at a minimum before I'd pull the trigger, though. You couldn't build one for that (again, depending on the rate of exchange). I may be prejudiced, but took a flyer on a '56 331 out of a dump truck that had supposedly just been completely rebuilt (and then the transmission went out). Everything looked good and there was hardly any oil or dirt on it., so I gave the guy the $1500 he was asking. I took it home and mounted it on my test stand. It started right up and ran for over 1/2 hour at 160 degrees and 65 psi oil pressure. I had changed out the truck oil filter assembly for a car unit, and everything was clean as a whistle inside. Sometimes you just get lucky. This was about two years after I bought a '51 Merc just for the crankshaft. On my stand that one also exhibited goad compression number, oil pressure, and just all around ran great. I cleaned it up and put it in my '51 in 2016, where it is still soldiering on.
I guess I'll have to tone down my opinion; I thought it was closer to 50%. I'd still have to give it some thought, though. It probably depends on how bad you want ne and what you want it for.
The 354 was widely used as an industrial engine. Big water pumps, electrical generators, rock crushers. If it is really that low run time, $4900 is a great price. A friend just blew the 4-banger in his family rice burner a couple days ago and a replacement engine will run him $4000. You will still need to invest a few bucks in probably a 4bbl manifold and sexy carb for sure, alternator, pretty stuff? If its for cruising, Sonic Friday night rod runs, etc., the stock build is more than adequate, shouldn't need to break into the engine. Will need a tranny adaptor but most hot rod engines need that. Does it have adjustable rocker arms ( bumps between spark plug holes)? That makes it more valuable.
I have yet to see an industrial engine with adjustable rockers. Yes, the Chrysler Industrial valve cover has reliefs for adjustable gear but that is all. Why did they stamp them like that ? A good question, the answer is lost to history.
If it has the solid front heads finding a 4 bl intake may be difficult. Gary (73RR) said if you open up the bore holes there's a 2 bl carb for the 360 that works nicely. There's conflicting reports on whether these engines have car cams or a cam designed to run only in a specified RPM range that the generator was to operate in. If it actually is a low hour engine it would be a good purchase.
I now have two GenI hemis. I’m finding them to be a good engine for early hot rods. One the lifter issue, I too have lifter clatter upon first fire up. Desoto 330.I’ve found that on some of the late model lifters their oil band doesn’t quite open up to the stock oil galley which delays the lifter fully pumping up. That’s just a theory of mine. I have a set of original OE lifters I plan on using. The motor pictured is a Dodge 241. It has higher compression due to new pistons Gary got me. I also had the valve train converted to adjustable. I don’t have interference issues in that the adjustment screws are short and I use a thick valve cover gasket.
...simply responding to your post, quote: Does it have adjustable rocker arms ( bumps between spark plug holes)? That makes it more valuable.
I know. Those valve covers are worth a couple hundred if in good shape. I put a set on my engine then used adjustable push rods.
where did you list them? try ebay if you didn't list them there. you do a "buy it now" and they will relist every 30 days automatically forever. I had some stuff listed that has been there for 4 months and no takers the BAM! there is goes out the door $$$ a few years back I parted out a 1952 216 Chevy and a Y block and sold everything I listed. all the little nuts and bolts and brackets...
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