Technical Early Hemi #2 (354 Hemi build thread)

PM sent too.

Dave

 

Big update today!!! Not really…

@73RR, who so far has been very patient answering my stupid questions, has a rod on the way for me and I put a coat of etch primer on the valve covers as they had been stripped and didn’t want them to rust.

 

Gary is the man,,,,,,,if you listen to him you will have an extremely reliable, powerful engine !
And it won’t cost a fortune either,,,it will still be a fair amount of money,,,but not a fortune .

Tommy

 

Are you going to leave that super cool rebuilder tag on the valve cover?

 

I’m debating it..

 

I would retain that tag. It's part of the engines story, and could be the only one of its kind at this point.

 

Gary, @73RR , has helped me out big time! Thanks again Gary.

Dave

 

All together now, “KEEP THE TAG”, “KEEP THE TAG”, “KEEP THE TAG”......

 

Like this I also have heads

 

At this point since I’m not building for big power this is, I think, my preferred intake, with two two barrels adapted, it would look killer. Eventually the 6-71 will find its way on but that is a long ways off happening

 

I mentioned on some Thread that there is/was(?) a Thread at Hemi.com where a guy used 1 bl to 2 bl adaptors to put two 2GC carbs on one of those. Last I heard his wife developed health problems & I don't think he ever finished the project.

 

We have a milling machine at work so no problem!

 

If anyone has one let me know please.

 

Just a small clarification on an earlier post. The 2-pcs Marine intake has a large round carb mount that has enough room to bore out for the 2-bbl. The truck piece not so much as shown in the pics.

 

Thanks for clarifying Gary, either would be ok with me.

 

If you can get the 2x1's, just run those.

 

Boy I'm jealous. I have a 56PU that is getting a flat six and A833OD. It also has the dual pattern clutch housing from a 60 truck. So an early hemi/poly will bolt up. Unfortunately budget prevents that right now.

Worst thing is, I had a 58 Ford PU with a 354 that I sold for peanuts back in the day. Oh, why did I do that? Best running Ford I ever owned.!

 

That bellhousing does allow for an easy swap and was used until 1960 so not difficult to find. I am still amazed at how many EarlyHemi engines seem to turn up when not really looking for them. Seems like we should be running out but.....

 

Hey, how about a couple 50mm Weber or Dellorto on top?

 

Now that @73RR has explained the difference that’s exactly what I would do.

 

That could work, too!

If only we knew someone with a 5-axis CNC machine.

 

About 8 years ago, I tried to purchase one of those 2X1 truck manifolds off of eBay. (I wanted to exercise my fab skills and put a couple of small base 2G's on it.) After being out bid on a couple, I gave up. The engine in my avatar has 2 large base 2G's and runs very well. I'd still do it if I could find a reasonably priced manifold, but I guess I'm not the only guy with this idea.

 

If only…

 

I still have more that I can use, and I am one 331/354 block and pistons away from completing another one!

I would sell off stuff, but nobody has asked for one in a while. The market has moved on to LS and Coyote.

 

I know where there is another running 354 in a dodge truck not that far from my house, last time I asked he wanted $12,000 for it, no it’s not restored.

Still need an early 331 timing cover if anyone has one!

 

Talked to my machinist, I can do everything in house at the college except grind cranks, he is turning my crank! Ordered up main and rod bearings, I did get a front cover.

Also dealing on a set of 10:1 pistons out of a ‘58 392, my block is already 0.040” over so I don’t mind taking it out to the 4” bore. It’s coming together.

I need to do the heads then once I get pistons the block machining can begin

 

The compresion height is not the same on a 392 as a 354, so you will loose a bunch of compression. It will be more like 8-1

 

All the research I’ve done says a point lower. So 9:1 ish

 

Decided to go to the school and work on some heads. Found out that the valve guides are worn beyond belief…some were more than 0.008”! Was going to put guide liners in but managed to break the top of one guide so may as well order guides. Since I’m getting them and I can’t find a source for the 7/16” exhaust guides I’ll probably order valves as well for the exhaust.
Upon closer inspection it appears the poor Hemi ate something at some point.