Projects My first hemi car

Plus I have to make this engine run first

 

I'm not sure Wilcap makes one for the auto-trans route . . . I believe manual trans only.

 

You’re probably right. I could’ve swore they made one but I tried to search for one and couldn’t find one.

 

Speed gems does too though along with hot heads but they’re way more pricey https://transmissionadapters.com/co...-904-10-or-11-bolt-circle-converter-331-318at

 

Haven’t had much time to post on here but I’ve been steadily working away on my engine. Took me quite some time to get the rocker shafts and rockers all cleaned out but I finally got them done and re installed last weekend. Cleaned the valve covers today and got a look at the center main and #3 rod bearing and both looked good

 

Hopefully tomorrow going to look at the rest of them, re torque, and lube. Plus take apart and clean the oil pump. I have more of a vision for my ride lately. Im thinking a little lower, black, with black steel wheels and chrome bullet caps. Also planning on ditching the fluid drive and trying to find a lasalle trans and adapter

 

This could be a difficult and expensive task. You might want to consider an alternative. I have a '56 hemi and plan on running a B/W T89 (a variation of the T85) transmission out of a mid-60's Ford pickup. I believe that for a three speed, it's a better (and easier to find) choice if you want to run a three speed. It also has the advantage of coming with the robust B/W R11 overdrive, which will provide even more flexibility. Adapters are available (the standard '49-'64 Ford unit will work) and all around parts availability should be better.

Just a thought.

 

I don't know if you have the intake and valley pan gaskets, but I'd consider popping them off for inspection and lubing that cam before fire up.

 

Don't let anyone talk you out of making the Hemi work. There's nothing "exotic" about it compared to any other engine. Machine work is machine work, whether it's a '53 331 or a modern junkyard LS. Any machine shop should be able to rebuild the heads, bore/hone the cylinders, turn the crank, etc. without charging any exuberant fees.

I pulled a 331 extended bellhousing motor out of a farmer's yard, gave it a quick hone and a set of rings and it ran great. It's just an engine. You've cleaned out the rocker shafts and found how crusty they can be, that's a big win. Keep going and you'll be fine.

I used a Wilcap or Hot Heads adapter, a $200 T5, and an over-the-counter-clutch and that was a lot of fun. It wasn't expensive and it let me spend the extra dosh on a Vertex Mag and a 4x2 setup with 48s, which worked out great.

Ended up pulling the engine out of the original project after a couple years and rebuilt it to accept a 6-71 in a '40 Ford coupe. Doesn't get any cooler than that!

Good luck with your project and don't give up!

 

I’m thinking on the trans still but it will most likely be a stick shift either way as the adapters are more affordable than the automatic one I want for a 518/727. Thank you for your reply though!

 

I appreciate your encouraging words my man. I will NOT give up on my hemi! Idc what anyone says! I really do want to put a 471 or 671 on her someday though! And I was just thinking about using a t5 on my project too

 

So I’m looking into intake and valley pan gaskets. The lower part of the carter WCD that came on my engine is froze up pretty good. Not sure if I’m going to be able to get it free. If that be the case does anyone know of a way to bolt a Holley 2 barrel on? Im considering looking for a 4 barrel intake but all I’m seeing is cast iron ones for later hemis with no thermostat housings and they’re pretty pricey. I’d rather have an aluminum one for a blower if I paid a pretty penny for one

 

If a 2 BBL Holley won't fit the original manifold, perhaps a "small-base" Rochester 2G will. They are the same as old "backdraft" 2 BBL's and Holley "teapots" (or is it "tower of power"?).

If not there are several varieties of adapters around.

 

I’m not sure if a Holley will or won’t fit in place of the wcd was just curious if anyone else has tried. I’m way more familiar with Holley carbs than any other is why I ask and they can be had for cheap

 

Been working slowly on the engine cleaning her up. Got all the rods and mains, inspected, lubricated, and re torqued this past weekend. Scored some free seats and and a steering wheel I might use if I can. Had a very nice bench Im debating on using too. Don’t know which yet

 

Finally got the butterflies freed up on the carter wcd with a little heat

 

I did a 51 long block years ago.I put a 727 on it using a standard trans flywheel with a custom machined extension to bolt to the torque convertor So 8 bolt to 6 bolt about 5.5 in long. Made my own trans adaptor,1\2 in aluminum. Not too hard to do. They are only about7.5 lb compression 180 hp. so its hard to hurt anything. Went into a model A,ran great,no vibration. Oh, use a BB mopar water pump. you have to file the holes abit. I also used a 318 distributor , I had to sleeve and extend the shaft I think about 1\2 in. Worked great. Dont give up,you can do this!

 

was that extension from a billet or a tube w/ ends fastened on?

 

HH sells the kit, a length of tubing & uses screws to hold it on. Just the rotor for stress. But if the dizzy breaks on the road you're stuck, an extended int. shaft will accept any off the self dizzy.

 

i meant the trans /torque coupling actually...

 

It was machined from a steel bar but I think it could be done from a good quality aluminum making the flanges about 1 in thick.

 

Are you still using that adapter? Bad ass ride by the way!

 

That valley area looks pretty dang clean! I wish you the best in getting it started and running!

 

Got the valley cleaned up, cam and lifters lubed, and my manifolds bolted on today. May buy some shorty headers later after I get it running. Pretty much dead set on bolting a 4 barrel intake on now instead of playing around with the 2 barrel. I have a line on a 4 barrel intake with the thermostat housing on it for 250 plus shipping. I’d rather spend the money on a hot heads one but maybe later after I get the car rolling under it’s own power and stopping. Got a long way to go still for that but can’t wait to hear this baby purr . Got the starter in the shop getting rebuilt

 

I cleaned it up a bit. I think someone was running old pennzoil in it lol but thanks man ! Hopefully here in another couple weeks I’ll have a run video!

 

For the round ex. ports used on 51-3 car heads