Quick little back story on this. My grandfather and I started talking about building a hotrod a few years ago so I had started collecting parts to do it. we had talked about putting a 331 hemi in it. We both liked hemi's and thought that they looked cool and they're pretty "gruntie". Well I was an idiot and Bought a 49Panhead (got heavily into motorcycles) sold off what parts I had collected for the hot rod that he and I were going to build to pay for part of the panhead. Well he has resiliently passed (with in the last few days) I have a bit of regret about it now because he and I never got the chance to spin wrenches together. so here we go with the questions.. I found a 331 from a Hamber member the engine is stuck, that I'm not to concerned about. But dose anyone know of a good early Hemi builder in the midwest? There is one a few towns over from me but he is very elderly and is not taking new rebuilds he is just finishing his last projects and then is going to be done. I asked our sprintcar engine builder, but the bill from him will be so astronomical when its done. I just don't want to have some wild amount into this engine. (pay 3times more then just taking it else where) also dose anyone know of a good "recipe" for a semi mild build? Something that will throw over the tires fairly easy.. and make it a little more reliable?? also dose anyone know if there is a company making new multi carb intakes for the 331? I know that vintage speed is making them for the Desoto's. IM unaware of any. I'm thinking 4, 97's? So in short I need some help from ya guys.. this project has now took on a new meaning for me and it means a lot more to me know because its something I should of done in the first place! so there will be a panhead going up for sale!
We do a lot of vintage power plants here as well modern race engines. And I have 331 experience as well parts for them. We also send completes all over the world...and can ship economical. Tony
Hemis are not a cheap engine to build. Check out the Hemi tech index. It has a boatload of info. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118764&highlight=hemi+index
I'm going to take down your info and when I get a little close Im going to have to call you guys! thanks a bunch!
The early 331 can be made to run with the crowd even with the small-ish heads but you will need the correct pile-o-parts. You might look at TankWilson's 331 build project. Multi-carb intakes for the early heads are usually limited to the Edmunds 2x2 or 2x4. If you are up for some fab work you can follow/copy this project design. Forged pistons and 10:1 c/r are highly recommend. I might know where some parts are to be found... We ship worldwide and have core engines on hand if the early 331 doesn't work out. Keep us posted on the project. .
It's out of a 55, is what the fella told me, and if it is that would make it a short bell housing engine? which is what I am looking for! I started to really get into the hemi's a few years ago like I said, but when I bought the Pan all other things where forgotten.. I can remember that some have humps between the spark plug holes, and that they where a higher HP engine? I just need to read and read some more on it, and get back to the playing field I was at! I have so much stuff to buy again! I have to start to try and find a 40 ford cross-member My old auto teacher got a hold of me and they had gotten in a 41 ford that they where going to be making into a custom out at the high school here in town and he asked if i wanted all of the running gear and brakes so that might work out well! you guys think that rear end would hold up to that hemi?
Yea stop down sometime. I'm about an hour away from ya, doing something very similar to what your thinking. I have a 1954 331 going into my 49 plymouth. I work for a scrap metal buying business and also have a junk yard with some old tin. May have other parts your looking for.
Hey George, Yeah, was just trying to cover the bases... You can check my web site for engine ID info to verify what you think you have, and please, don't get all hung up on cylinder head specifices. It just doesn't make any real world difference. The old Ford rear can hold up if you don't pound on it, however, unless you convert to an open driveshaft truck assembly your transmission selection will be limited. I'm thinking that you'll be alot happier with a newer axle...Explorer or Cherokee or something and, of course, some better brakes up front. Leave the stock parts for a restorer. .
woah...you're in my old home town. i will also be rebuilding a 331 (although it's a '52) some time down the road. probably will need some '52 Chrysler fenders and maybe some bumpers at some point. you guys have anything like that up there?
You are reading the Tech Index like Noland said, aren't you? Bumps between the plug tube holes indicate either Industrial covers or possible Chr 300 engine, either way a '55 331 is a good one to do.
I will for sure keep that in mind! I'm just going to have to keep putting in a bunch of over time at work... I'm pretty excited about all this, so I have to keep in mind what I'm doing and what I'm buying I'm far from being made of money so a 2or300 dollar mistake might screw me over for a while so I have to really pay attention to what I'm buying. I need to just right it all down! the Intake is going to be a big one for me because like you said there are different ones for different years. Right? I really want to find a drag star! But by the time i save for it I'm sure there will not be one to be found.. Its how I roll! haha! On the transmission I'm really wanting to run a powerglide because its semi "period" and because my dad has a prosthetic leg and can't shift a four speed, and I want him to be able to drive it! I have read a few little forms and treads about heads and its kinda like greek to me.. is there a good one that i should keep an eye out for? Or do you think I should just run what I get on the engine?
I've been scanning through them, but there is so much information there it will take me a week to get through it all, and then i'll have to see how much has soaked in will be another thing! but yes any free time I get I'm reading it!
I'd be talking to the old timer (retired) who knows how to rebuild them. Find out all the info then go rebuild it myself.
The '55(&'56) heads are the best of the Chr heads. Is this a driver or racer? If a driver you'll get better drivability if you get a 727 adaptor from Gary (73RR) vs a PG. Also if a driver the Drag Star isn't much of an intake. A variety of 4, 2X4, 4X2 intakes out there that will do better.
George I'll keep that In mind one the dragstar! what would be your intake that you would run 2x4 progressive linkage type job. yes this car will be a driver more then likely small town driven I suppose every once and a while I will take it to the city.. HA! the 727 is pretty long. it would be nice because they are every where any good threads i can look up where guys are using the set up your talking about?
I don't know where you live in Iowa, but Arnold Motor SUpply used to do a pretty good job of building engines. Not sure if they still have the same reputation, as it's been a long time since I've had anything done by them. Who's the sprint car engine builder you're referring to, Al Parker over in Newton?
I agree on the usefulness of too may carbs on a DD...general PITA. The oem 2x4 with WCFB carbs is not a bad setup and there are plenty of suitable carbs available since GM also used alot of them. The stock 1x4 intake manifold is one of my personal favorites mostly because I hate screwing around with multiples. Just getting a bit lazy... If a 1x4 works for you then bore out the throttle bores to 1¾ to match a Holley base gasket. This new pattern will accept all of the 'normal' 4-bbl carbs. Often, a spacer will be needed to keep linkage from crashing into the manifold. The passenger car 727 is a bit long and the A518 is a bit bulky, but you can also get a short 727 out of a van or small motor home. No, not as short as the GM pieces. You can check with TRWaters on the adapter, I don't know if he makes a GM piece, if not Pat McGuire (Wilcap) has them. Save yourself alot of headaches and use the heads that you have. They fit, they work, you already own them... Any machine shop that is good with 318-360 can do a decent Hemi job, if they have the desire. The usual big problem is that far too many just want to call their WD and buy a packaged kit; they don't want to chase parts. Ask plenty of questions. .
If you're talking the 727, I've used them behind my hemis with Gary's adaptor. His is a horsehoe style that makes putting on the flexplate to Torque Converter bolts a breeze. WilCap, HH &(I think) TR Waters are full circle that you have to have the oil pan off to do the bolts. The 727 is a modern 3 speed that's plenty strong. The PG is a 2 speed &, except for parts availability, isn't a real improvement over the OEM 2 speed PowerFlite.
For intakes try Hot Heads Hemi and you can also try Belmont Rod and Custom in Massachussetts. You can always post a wanted in racing junk.com there is all kind of oddball stuff there.....good luck!
Jammie Moyol is are engine builder. Would not say a bad word about him! (builds a hell of an engine) but I don't need a sprint car engine just a semi stock engine and he gets pretty well after it with his builds (not a bad thing) but not what I'm really needing.. when It comes to the carbs I have no trouble getting the linkage to work right. I just love the look of the 97's I think its just a great look. (I know that sounds stupid but if we all did every thing that every one else was doing there would be less cool things on the road!) I know how to set up that kind of stuff from working on the sprint car. its still kinda the same as it was back in the sixty's we run a hillborn injection that is the dragonclaw style. looking at them they look like a bee's nest of "oh god" but its not to bad so I think i could handle the multi cabs!
73RR earlier you said that I just the the right "Pile-O-Parts'' to have a nice little engine any way I could talk you into PM'ing me what would be a good Pile-O-Parts list to have? what you would do.
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