I live in the middle of no where. Being from San Diego, this can be rough on a car guy like me at times......But then, there is the flip side of things and such is this story. I had been running around on the quad trying to find some of our money draining cattle...lol when I found of all things a 1957 four door hardtop New Yorker. It had been ran into, or stolen n dumped ( who knows) into an oxbow off of the humbolt river here. Any savy gearhead instantly knows whats under the hood. First thought would be, no way in hell is that engine usable or salvagable. Time has taught me to always check out every lead, every rumor and everything you run accross. I excitedly pried the rusted shut hood open with all my might. After popping a few blood vessels I wrenched it open to be greeted by the sight of a 392 Hemi. Sure there was rust. But this is the high desert and the area is fairly dry n arid. The most beautiful thing I seen was oil seeping from it's grooves, valve covers etc. I could not believe what I was looking at. Several months went by before I cracked down and got to business. I recieved permission from the property owner to bring down the backhoe and pull the motor. I hated killing the car as it was pretty even in death but the only way to get the 392 was to chain and drag the car out of the hole and rip the engine out. The pics will speak for themselves. I tore the engine completely down and was rewarded with beautiful non detergent cosmolene coated everything. Only one cylinder needs sleaving do to water n freeze so far as I can tell. Of co**** I want to build this engine up but I need guidence and direction as far as tech articles on here and of co**** reputable repair n rebuilders.
The outside looks like the Dodge Red ram I just acquired. The inside is coated with tar like sludge that kept the rust at bay. The motor turns free and the cyl. are clean but need bored. Ago
Buy the Tex Smith Hemi book. It'll save you alot of heartache. Oh and sell about 10 Cow Calf Pairs and it'll help out in the rebuild fund. All the best, Tim
I just ran out to look around my back yard, all I found was the dog poop ive been putting off picking up for three weeks. Definatly jealous. Keep the pics comin'!
Nice save. Hot Heads has a website where you can lot of information on your motor. Good luck with your build and don't forget your wallet Hemi parts = expensive parts.
Very lucky......I would say it's been submerged at least five to ten times....mabe more. Even if the block turns out to have a crack, I will repair it if it's repairable. Initial cost was zero dollars so I have a little wiggle room...lol I know enough 409's have been s***ched back up on their sides
Great thread! Brings back memories of getting ****ty and tearing around the fields in the back of buddy's neighborhood in a '56 NY'er (354). We brought car CHEAP for the engine and decided to thrash the car first. But we managed to get it limping back to his yard to pull engine. HEMIs yea! I've got a pristine pair of '92 new chrome covers on display in my Studio '51 (man cave). Maybe I'll fall in a sink hole somewhere and land on a Crown Imperial. Ask yourself, "What have I got in my wallet?"
I thought old engines from the east only looked that bad. But like you said under water a few times. Ago
Yea.....unbelievable.....the only find that outdid this was the 58 sportsman 2 door hard top i picked up here. i sure hope the block is salvageable.
Not sure at this point. I have what's left of a 27 or 29 Pontiac tub n cowl laying around. I also know of a 31 Dodge 3 window shell I can get my hands on......or I could complete a real WTF!!!!! by installing it into my 66 El Camino....haha I would love to build an early rust-o- rod n shoe it in.
True Hey guys, I need leads on good machine shops within reasonable shipping or driving distance of me whom are well known for doing sound work on early Hemi blocks, thanks!!!!!!!!
You never forget your first! Mostly because the wife threatens divorce if you spend anymore money on it! Great find and good luck. So many projects..so little time
Check the Hot Heads Hemi site. go to the swap and sale section, lots of 392 stuff on the site. You may find a block that would suite you for a decent price.
Thank you, I checked it out, didn't see any blocks.....Honestly I would like to repair mine if it is feasable and cost worthy.....because it adds to the whole coolness that I pulled it out of a river n now it's crankin ponies!!!!! You get what I mean
I'm not married yet and I've blown more money than could be imagined on my GF......so now it's me time....lol You are right though, I will never forget no matter how this turns out
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