Technical Early Hemi #2 (354 Hemi build thread)

Good score. By all means, reface the lifters but, be sure to take them apart and clean out the innards....one at a time...internal parts should never swapped around.
I have rods if you cannot find one 'up-north'.

 

Absolutely, I take every lifter apart and clean them whether new or otherwise, but very good advice.

Trust me I’ll need all the advice I can get, I’ve built a lot of engines but never a Hemi.

 

Naaahh! That rod will straighten out!

Dave

 

Holy behemoth Batman...Congrats on Hemi Heaven @57 Fargo...are you putting it in a Desoto or is it just from one...If not whats going to be reborn with one?

That must have been a bitch of a day with the rod...probably shook the earth...

 

The 354 is destined for the Fargo one day. I bought the desoto block sight unseen and was told it was a 354…turns out to be a desoto, no immediate plans for that one, I’ll track down parts eventually I’m sure.

 

I really like that '57, and I also really like this plan. Ive always thought the '57 was the best looking of the Dodge (Fargo) pickups.

 

Rods are easy: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1447800590...WpwhH5ogLXQLK/hkllu3/5Si8=|tkp:Bk9SR6atzO6XYw

 

@gimpyshotrods, I did see that one already, m going to get the pistons off the rest of the rods and do some measuring before I start buying parts, maybe I’ll end up needing more than one rod, I don’t think so but you never know, I do think I’m going to order new valve guides, retainers and keepers and valve springs, also new exhaust valves, to get rid of the sodium filled valves. The intake valves look good, the guy I bought it from had ground all the valves and the intake look really good.

 

Has that block been sleeved, or are the bottom of the bore's stepped, making it look like it has been? Just curious, not a big deal.

 

No sleeves, I think what you are seeing is where the connecting rod beat the hell out of the bottom of the bore, “mushrooming” it so to speak

 

That rod is the last of the set the seller has. I bought one of the other ones.

It that price, I would grab it before it's gone!

 

The owner of Shadbolt’s past away earlier this year. I don’t know if the business has closed down or not. They did a cam and lifters for my ‘49 Merc engine.

 

If you are planning on a daily driver, no high rpm bonzi runs, then why not use the heads as they are? The sodium filled exhaust are there to extend the life of the assembly, same with rotators if you have them.
Sometimes the old engineers had a good idea.

 

I'd leave them alone. IMHO the only "downside" is that the valves are heavier.

On a street-going vehicle this is meaningless.

Save the money.

 

I don’t have the rotators and the retainers for the exhaust valves, otherwise I would probably run them as is, I figured if I have to get the retainers and stuff I would swap them, now if someone happens to have the rotators and retainers and keepers for the sodium filled valves I’m in! I fully agree there is no issue with them, this will not be a high rpm, high horsepower engine. Just a driver.
Quite frankly whichever is the most economical way to go is what I will do!

 

Here is what he gave me, I’m quite positive the retainers are not from this, I would seriously question the valve springs and there is only 15 of them….

 

I always opt for fresh springs rather than the unknown.

That's a good place to spend not too much money.

 

I don’t disagree, if I had springs and they tested good I would hesitate but new isn’t that expensive.

 

Lane, very cool find. You mentioned low compression truck pistons, what truck was a De Soto Hemi used in? Pardon my ignorance, I’m a Chevy/Ford guy, but all old Hemis are precious. Shoot, I’d enjoy having a two barrel equipped Hemi, in a more door even!!

 

Sorry I confused a few people, two different engines, the desoto block I’ve had for a few months, the 354 is a Chrysler Hemi used in some Dodge trucks.

 

No worries! I’ve seen Hemis used in some of the medium and heavy duty trucks. I just wasn’t sure if Chrysler used DeSoto Hemis in Canadian Trucks.

 

Not that I’m aware of.

 

No,,,,Mopar blocks are factory back cut like that at the bottom of the bores .
My DeSoto is just like it,,,,,except without the damage.
I bored mine .020 and the relief is still fairly large ,,,,I’m sure it’s there for an important reason .

Tommy

 

Now that I went back and looked at my own pictures. I see what @427 sleeper was talking about. Thanks Tommy!

 

Looks like you have the exhaust retainers, but only 15 total? Missing the intake or exhaust?
There are other guys using truck heads...HEY GUYS, who has a spare exhaust retainer?

 

Gary I’m headed out to
My shop to take a better look at what I have here!

 

Someone has to have extra exhaust ones! The intakes are easy to swap for new ones, or other used ones.

 

Upon closer inspection I think I have enough stuff here… @73RR so kindly told me that there are LA dodge valve springs that fit which I already happen to have a new set of. I also have plenty of LA retainers and keepers, I think I am actually set, let me know if you guys see something amiss here…first pics are the springs and retainers he gave me, clearly wrong now that I look.
Second is old LA springs and retainers, I’ll verify installed height etc but should be fine I think.

 

Right on!