Chrysler 354 Build Thread!!! It's Alive!!!

There are several issues with stock pushrods but the main one is that replacement cams may not have the same base circle and there is no adjustment on the pushrods or rockers to adjust the lash. The solid pushrods aren't very strong either.

All that said I have a set of stock pushrods I'd give you if you need them. I also have some stock used 354 pistons if you need them. What is the block bored to? Can't let you give up on hemi's that easlily.

 

87 octane will be fine with stock replacement pistons, but as George noted, there are many examples of new replacement pistons missing the advertised compression. You might want to ask about returning the slugs if they don't measure up.
Also, until you have assembled the rotating assembly and know what the actual compression is I'd suggest waiting on the cam profile.

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a wise old man once told me don't try too re-invent the wheel save your money and buy the right parts.

 

i;m just saying buy the right pistons for the job.

 

...maybe he's a politician?

On a similar note...DO NOT fall for the line about installing std bore 392 pistons in a 060 over 354. You won't like the results...

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Yeah, a lot less swept volume creates a much lower compression.

 

Yup! less stroke, less swept volume & C/R. Typically 1 point less than advertised. 10:1 392 would probably be 9:1 in a 354.

 

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Actually....both....simultaneously!

Mart3406
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Tom makes a good point. You need to make the call as to what you can live with. Rely on your machinist to help you decide what is important.

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It should get pretty darn good mileage with a stock rebuild in a 2500 pound car. My stock 354 still lives in it's original engine compartment, which is that of a 1956 New Yorker. I don't know it's exact weight, but it's probably near a ton more than what you're talking, and has the PowerFlite trans (no overdrive). On the highway cruising between 55 and 60 it will get a solid 20-21 MPG. Radial tires, synthetic lubes in engine, trans and rear end.

 

Sounds like you can help me fill my gas tank then, Dave!
That's great new though.

 

Looking forward to seeing what you do, Dave! Keep us posted! I have to say it's actually kind of refreshing to see someone doing just a nice little "driver" motor.

Looking forward to see what you decide on an intake manifold for this combination as well. Once you get going with this build, maybe do a build thread on the engine like you did with your Victoria threads. Would be a great parallel thread to the Vic build!

 

The 283 pistons will actually work in a 331. I did some quick math over on the united engine web site and the wrist pin location will put the piston .0004" out of the block, which would work. Of course, you'd have to adapt the wristpin size which could be bushed for the difference, plus the bore is just a touch bigger. Maybe that's what someone figured out and wanted to do? Sure wouldn't have a lot of compression though. Also, you'd have to notch the pistons in the right place I am sure.....but physically it would work. Sure would be a lotta trouble though.

 

I thought I'd make this my engine build thread so I changed the thread title. I'll post all the steps as I go. Here's where I'm at right now – just a pile of parts.

331, 354.

 

Nice Dave!
Keep us updated. And good luck finding your dream intake for it!

 

A rare and expensive 3x2? Don't you really want a 6x2???? Waiting to hear back on a possible trade on my 6x2 but if that falls through you can expect it up in the classifieds. I'm giving up on the idea of running a HEMI.....going flathead instead.

One of those engines is going to look incredible in that hot rod of yours. Best of luck.

 

97s or modern 2 bls? 3 97s are only 450 CFM. You'd need to run the 2 end ones as primaries & the center as the progressive or all 3 nonprogressive, just something to think about....

 

Dave, your vicky should easily exceed 20 mpg, once the induction is dialed-in.

On the other hand, a whale weighs ~150 lb more than the SBC its replacing, so expect it to understeer a little more in the corners.

Life's full of compromises...

 

That should work out great and get you fantasic mileage. My pontiac with tri-power 4 speed and a 3.08 rear gear got 17-20 mpg. It would also boil the hide clean off those tires right thru all 4 gears and not stop until you lifted. 20 mpg not applicable to burnouts. Lol

 

Now you're talking Olds J-2.
I love it!

 

There is a guy I've seen a few times on the Power Tour with a 57-8(?) Olds with a 392 in it!

 

Yeah, I'd say so! There's a guy who hasn't finished his engine yet, but is planning on running 2 2GCs on a 2X1 truck intake with adaptors!

 

Dave figure
( Cubic inches x ( rpm/2) ) / 1728 = cfm required to feed engine at 100% volumetric efficacy. Reality would be less.

A 354 needs 102 cfm for every 1000 rpm you want to run at.
Your 280 cfm center carb would be good for 2700 - 2800 rpm.

 

The go for big money on ebay!

Just noticed Dave, once you drop the Hemi in there, you'll have to change your HAMB name to "another 31Vicky with a hemi"!

 

yup!

 

A little update: I'm taking the block, heads and crank to the machine shop at lunch today to get cleaned and magnafluxed. Hopefully they'll get a clean bill of health. I'll also know what machine work the engine will require.

Oh, and these showed up today. I happened to find them on eBay with a buy it now of $99. So I jumped on them. The chrome is a little thin around the bolt holes, but for the price, I'm happy. I also picked up a pair of rechromed original wire covers from hotrodA.

 

Damn those look great Dave!!! There has never been a better looking valve cover for a hemi then the original Firepower ones installed from the factory bar none.

Good luck at the machine shop, I hope it all checks out and by some mistake in numbers you end up with a 392 that needs little to no machine work!

 

If they are in fact J2 Carbs - All 3 carbs will have / should have the 1 1/4" Diameter Venturi bowl sections.

The smaller / more common 1 3/32" Diameter Venturi bowl sections (factory adv. 278 cfm) will work just fine with these 331-392 Chrysler HEMI motors... as they don't need as much carburetor / cfm as one might think.

I'm working on holley / wieand to re-introduce the WC3D...
I'll let everyone know here when this happens.

Nice looking project... Keep up the good work!!

 

Mr. Fulton, I was just looking around on your site for a Chrysler hemi 3x2 intake. It would be AWESOME if you reproduced the WC3D! Sign me up.

Eelco and Vintage Speed both say they're in the process of repoping it, but they don't have the corporate backing of Weiand and Holley.

What is your development timeline? When will they be available?

And how would I measure the venturi bowl section on my carbs? Where is that exactly?

 

Please let us know how those valve covers fit and seal.