I bought but havent picked up yet a 354 hemi motor last saturday. I dont think i gave much for it and it was fairly cheap. Dont really know to much about the motor but it has been sitting for a LONG time. It has two single barrel carbs on it at the moment and will probably need to be gone through. I am not very familiar with hemi motors and wonder the goods and bad of a 354...
If it was sitting indoors it will probably be save-able,but like any other ancient engine,be ready to spend a few bucks on all the standard rebuild stuff:bearings,rings,gaskets,seals,machine work,etc. As for a down side to a 354: Some guys will rant about how expensive they are to get parts for,but that's not always realistic unless you are building a race motor or a blower motor. Cast pistons are cheap and easy to find,and work well for the average guy's hot rod,and Weiand still has a 2x4 intake in production,priced under $400 last I checked. Hot Heads has good deals on water pump,oil pump,and distributor retrofit kits to use affordable parts,and big parts like the crank,rods,block,and heads you already have,so all they are going to cost you is the price of machining,which you would have to do on any engine. I think you made a great choice,and you're gonna have a ton of fun. Check out the Hemi Tech section of the tech archives.The Mods and many Hemi gurus on the HAMB have worked very hard to compile a huge amount of Hemi tech for us to use. It will keep you glued to your laptop for days! Scott Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
As was said find the Hemi Tech Index, ScooterMcrad has a link in his signature. Where it has 2 1 bl intake it is either a truck or marine hemi, most likely. Truck hemi wouldn't be too difficult, marine hemi is a bit more involved. A guy at The Hemi.com posted on using adaptors for two GC carbs on one. 354 is a fine engine.
Nothing wrong with a 354, leave the 392s for the vintage nitro guys. A lot of the old racers used 'em, they make good torque and as for running down the road and looking like a hemi they still look like a hemi.
THANKS for all the info and the link! I might try to get a few more motors off of him. this motor is complete the other 354 are apart. Also probably going to try to pick up a 241ci hemi any thoughts on those for a hot rod motor? Also going to see if maybe i can get him to come off one of his flatheads. not sure what to use them on yet but better to have then want i suppose
I was going to have re-evaluate my negotiating skills if ya did haha ... So far I had to give 300 for the 354 not sure what I can work out on the 241
You got a smokin deal on the 354. I paid $600 for a good 241" Dodge core and would do it again. Sounds as though you could buy several more motors to resell and easily pay for the one you've got!
How many of the Hemi variety does the seller have to offer? If there are enough of the important parts then buying a basket case may be a good option, but as you are new to the Hemi engines, you can't spend too much unless you know what you are getting. As to the Dodge, the 241 is a fine little engine but if there was a 315-325 available for the same money then.....
That's a nice score IMO if it's a usabl core for sure. I've got more than that in mine just to buy it as well. I'm still in the early hemi learning stages myself.
Research as much as possible before you start buying parts. Parts availability is pretty good for 354's. Sounds like you're doing pretty good so far money wise. Congratulations on your find!
Should be a use code on a flat in front of the valley cover, find & post. Some truck hemis have the code on the front of the block below the drivers side head. You need to know witch 354 you have.
300 is a steal if it's not broken, & depending on truck or marine. Is the intake 2 piece & bolted together or one piece with 2 long balancing tubes running between the carb bases?
If you end up needing any heads give me a call....lol! I have 18 of them at the moment! Scott Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
yeah he is a friend of mine and I have had him do some work for me and ive done some work for him so he said he would cut me a deal. He is selling some of his stuff to fund a 52 i believe merc that he is having repainted and needs to raise a little change to help pay for it... So i am just going to buy what i think i will use and let him or help him sell the rest for more to fund his project. i cant buy to much i wont have any room left either haha If i remember right he has 3- 354s the one i bought is together and complete the other two i think the rotating ***embly is together but the heads and intake are off. and has 2- 241s which one is together and the other is the same as the 354s rotating ***embly is together heads are off of it. and he has some various parts for them laying around such as heads and such.. he was big into mopars for a good while.
also i will post some pics when i get them loaded up and home.. i told him no hurry, and they are about half buried in his building Thanks for all the info!!! and yeah they have been inside ever since he has had them. You have a nice stash of heads there Thanks i will look and see if i can find the number and do a little research on it. As far as being a truck or marine He said it was a truck motor when we were talking it over, but will look it over again to know for sure
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