Hey guys I'm keen to hear of other Hambers and their 330 - 341 Desoto Hemi Firedome/Fireflite engine combos... In particular your choice of pistons, cam and compression along with any head work undertaken ie valve sizes, valve springs, porting and any blower installs you may have done etc. Pix would be fantastic in your rides too !! Lets hear & see 'em !! Rat
I am out of the range but will comment on that I am building a DeSoto Hemi 291. I just had the pistons built by Arias Pistons that will bump a 10 : 1 compression. I still need to get the original cam reground and buy a intake to run a multi carb set up. I have used Hot Heads in buy the small stuff like a gasket kit, ARP bolts, harmonic Balancer, etc. Be ready to spend some money. Rebuilding a hemi is no where as sheap as building a SBC or Ford.
Yeah I know that Hemis are expensive he he !! Well, I am planning a rebuild (slowly) and am researching combos that will give me reliability and spme decent HP/TQ. Its a 330 Firedome and Ive been wanting a blown one of these for a long time and so have taken the plunge at long last....why? Coz theyre a great looking, great fitting unique engine that you just dont see around these parts, and I LOVE the way they look too.. In time, I'm planning a rebuilt short block, Pontiac H beam rods, ARP bolts, reground crank, Ross forged pistons with plasma Moly rings for around 8.5:1 CR, main studs and bored .040 "- .060"...whichever will clean up best at. The Pontiac H beams fit well, needing a .010" mill on either side of the rod, are the same centre to centre length of 6.625", have the same big end diameter of 2.3755" and the pin end needs to be rebushed from the Poncho's0.981" pin to the MoPar's .921" pin bore size. Its a better alternative to rebuilding the MoPar rods ie: resize, rebush, rod bolts and shot peen etc etc. This engine will see a custom 6-71 intake and blower with 6 x 97s and a modded MoPar electronic distributor/MSD combo. I'll mildly port the heads myself and will consider O ringing the heads or block if required on this engine. I already have some of the parts - now its will be a matter of researching the correct cam spex and CR for the combination to make it run hard and last. I know Hot Heads sells parts for Desotos - but can anyone recommend a custom cam grinder for a cam? I have a fair idea on cam spex re lift and duration @.050" but feel free to post suggestions on cam spex if you have had experience. I understand SB MoPar timing covers can be made to fit the 330/341 as well - can anyone confirm? This will be backed with a 5 speed trans and Hot Heads sells the adaptors for those or I may mod an original bellhousing to suit. Famous 59, did Arias have to custom make those slugs for your 291? Rat
Hot Heads offers a regrinding service, using your cam as a base. They don't have any cores and I'm fairly certain no one is making DeSoto cam blanks any longer. Arias custom-makes every piston they sell. I'm going to keep an eye on this thread to see if any tips come up for my 341.
I have one out of a 52..using the motor and tranny in my next project. I havent located any intakes for one other than the stock 2v I have. Frank
the motor in my sedan is a 57, 341 in. desoto. it has .40 over stock type pistons, a chris nielson reground cam, a factory 2x4 intake w/ 500 edlebrocks and later model chrysler electronic ignition. we are in the process of building a 56, 330 motor with basicly the same components except for the pistons witch will be .60 over ross 10 to 1s. and the valves witch will be s.s. the trans is a 700r4 and the rear is a 9 in. w/3.89 gear. it's a lot of fun. hope this helps, dan p.s. i've used reground cams by cris nielson cams and engle cams, both seemed to do fine.
Arias did make them for me. I have about $1K in the slugs. That does include the rings and locks, etc..I was going to go with a different company but after talking to the guys at the roadster show I was convinced to go with Arias. Aria requires all kinds of specs to get the compression ration you want. For example, you will need to cc the combustion chamber of the head, decide what bore you are wanting, and the thickness of the head gasket you are going to use. I am sure I am missing a couple of requirements. All tho they only sent me 6 of the 8 inthe beginning and then bumping the order up in the production line for the other 2 - I am pleased with the level of service that was given to me.
Why am I a traitor? The Flathead aint goin anywhere....!! Thanx for the info guys !! Old Kid, can you provide Chris Nielson's email or contact details? Anyone else have more to add re strong DeSoto combos? Thanx... Rat
chris nielson cams p.o. box 416 644 west 100 north farmington ut. 84025 phone# 801 451 7745 chris is a nice guy. dan
ah, just messin' with ya..... with a supercharged flatty, rat couldn't be a traitor.......if i had one available, i'd build one too
Schemin haha..... I guess it my MoPar roots tuggin at the ol heartstrings. Besides, havent ya heard Old Hemis are becoming extinct ? BTW...Im open to more info if ya got it..!! Rat
MAN !! Some of you guys really need to re~think the need for your BRAND NEW PARTS fix !! I have 4 sets of JAHNS Pistons and have never paid over $300.00 for a set. 3 sets of Hi Compression & 1 set of 8.1 ... Now lets here it ... How shitty old Technoligy parts are WHATEVER .... ITS RUNNING NOW & IT HAULS FUCKIN ASS!! My DeSoto is as follows........... CROWER U~FAB INTAKE & 6 97s CLAY SMITH RE~GOUND CAM VERTEX MAGNETO 440 CHRYSLER SOLID LIFTERS STOCK SIZE STAINLES VALVES INT/EXH PORTS "CLEANED UP" .... you dont need any more 11.5to1 JAHNS .090 OVER PISTONS + 346 cu. in. SCHEIFER ALUMINUM FLYWHEEL McCLOUD '60s 440 CLUTCH A~833 MoPar 4 SPD Only Newr stuff i did this time was spin on oil filter & a 340 oil pump Lotsa CHROME & BRONZE METALLIC PAINT
BTT OK Desoto guys Can I use 276 desoto heads for a setup / hood clearance on a blownup 354 block ( to much nitro in 63 ). I am rebuilding a 54 Sorrell streamliner and need to set the body etc.. Thanks T2vr
Here's some eye candy of a beautiful setup. Took it at the LA Roadster show a few years ago. Don't know who it belonged to but it sure got my attention.
What did you use for valve springs. Adjustable pushrods or rockers? Would like to hear it run should you have any video clips.
I bought a '56 330 DeSoto a while back. Didn't research parts availability. What I did discover was the 325 Dodge was 60 lbs lighter and there might be some speed parts somewhere. The 325 is not only lighter but physically smaller so it will fit better in early Fords. I missed out on a deal from a buddy who had a D-500 325 from a Dodge truck with dual quads and chrome valve covers from the factory. Just wanted to pass this on.
If anyone is looking for De Soto parts I have a pair of 1635779 casting heads that I’ve no use for and would let go cheap. They came on 330, 341 and 345 motors, might fit others too idk.
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