Technical Early Hemi #2 (354 Hemi build thread)

Awhile back I started a thread on my first early Hemi, an orphaned 330 Desoto Hemi block and cam that I bought sight unseen. I was told it was a 354 block. Now I’m chasing leads to assemble a Desoto…

@Jeff Norwell and I have an ongoing deal for a 331 if I ever get my shit together and make the 4000km trip to see him…

Which brings us to now, Christmas Eve a gentleman I don’t know messaged me saying he had a 354 Hemi for sale, would I be interested? Stupid question!! I asked how much first, since most people have unrealistic expectations for a motor that’s a core. He responded with $500, intriguing indeed.

Today I made the 1.5 hour trip to pick it up, it’s a disassembled but mostly complete 1956 Truck 354. Missing the intake and timing cover, it somehow bent #2 connecting rod but I think I can save the crank.

An exciting day for a guy that has lusted after an early Hemi for pretty much ever….I now have the first complete one in my possession!


The only picture I have right now…I just got home and it’s still in my beater Caravan! More pictures to come when I find a home to stash stuff.

 

Yep,,,,,,it’s an Addiction !
Hemi,,,,,,,,recognized and respected around the world !
You will have 10 of them before it’s over ,,,,lol .

Don’t worry,,,,the bent rod didn’t hurt the crank !
Show more pics when you can .

Tommy

 

Yippee! Good score.

 

Congratulations , I got my 2nd 354 last February. Sold the first one when I needed money to finish a drag car , big mistake !

 

Tommy, I wasn’t specific enough, it spit the rod, nicked the crank a little but I think it’ll clean up.

 

Okay,,,,,spit as in threw the rod ?
Block okay I’m guessing ?

Don’t worry ,,,the crank will clean up fine ,,,if it’s a nicked journal ,,,no problem .

Tommy

 

Yeah the block looks fine, I need to measure the crank, I think it may already be undersized based on a rebuild tag on a valve cover. The brief time I’ve had to look at it, I’m almost wondering if it was put together and that rod not tightened. It certainly didn’t run long after I don’t think.

 

Probably be tomorrow before I get more pictures, it’s dark and cold here. I’m probably staying inside for the night. I may cuddle up with a valve cover or something though!

 

I hope your wife doesn’t see that last sentence or you might be getting rid of that hemi or getting her a 426!

 

Nah, she’ll probably be happy if it means I’ll leave her alone.

 

That seems to be how Hemis work. I bought a 331. After I had it setup in the chassis I discovered it was badly cracked on both lower side from freezing. So, had to buy another right? Bought a whole car to get the next 331. It is running in my '33 Plymouth but then I found a 392! And... another 392 with a 6-71 polished blower! Someday I would like to put the 392 in the '33 but will it ever happen? Do I really care? It's like having too many '32 Ford grill shells hanging on your wall, right?

Dave

 

Oh I do happen to have a 6-71 sitting on the shelf in my office…

 

Hemis are addictive. Between Dad and I, we have 3 Chrysler Hemis. You cant have just one!
The crankshaft hould be salvegable barring major cracks. Damaged journals can be welded since all early Hemis have forged cranks.

 

I got a extra running 291 Desoto. Complete. $1200

 

Hot Hemi Heads

 

Congrats. A 354 means there is spareparts avalible.

 

It’s getting to be a real problem! lol. A gentleman who is about an hour from Jeff reached out yesterday and has a pile of Desoto stuff. He likes the low deck Desotos so willing to part with the tall deck stuff. There may be an early Hemi retrieval trip in my future…

 

As promised more pictures from the unload. First my orphan 330 Desoto block, but hey it was $100… Next is 354 Hemi parts, everything from the starter and distributor to all the bolts that came out of it, he scrapped the truck front cover and two barrel intake…

a shelf full of Hemi goodness…
For Tommy the hurt rod, it’s #2, it also broke the skirt on #1 but they are flat top ultra low compression truck pistons anyways.

 

Whoops hit post by accident, the crank… The cam oil pump etc is here… So far other than the front cover and intake I need a rear sump oil pan and one valve spring is missing…this winter I will take pieces to work and start measuring, maybe rebuild the heads.

Oh if anyone has a spare connecting rod laying around…

Finally the proud Hemi owner…

 

Cool rebuild tag from ‘61,

plus he threw in the Hemi bible.

 

Lane ,
That stuff looks great,,,,,you are definitely in business for the long haul now .
Plus,,,,there are just so many more parts available for the Chrysler engines,,,,,either used factory stuff or tons of aftermarket new .
I’m proud for you,,,,,the addiction only gets worse !
Lol

Tommy

 

Nothing serious in the block. Honestly the priciest part of this will be buying pistons. The only machine work I can’t do at work is grinding the crank. I’ll send the cam and lifters to Vancouver to get rebound/resurfaced at Shadbolt cams. I’m not looking for max power just a decent running Hemi.

 

Shadbolt parkerized one of their old cams a few years ago but I don't think they're is still doing stuff but there is another guy I believe in Salmon Arm that did my last cam and lifters. I'll track down his contact info.

 

Maybe they are out of it, if you have info for someone in Salmon Arm that would be awesome. I grew up there! There is also Oregon cams but thought I could keep it in Canada if possible

 

Jim at Interior Cam Supply, Salmon Arm.

 

Schnieder Racing Cams can regrind your cam. We just had a roller cam regound four our 392 by them this time last year. I dont know about regrinding lifters though.

 

Thanks man, I’ll call him