Watched the Jimmy White cruizin video this afternoon and been looking in to the idea of replace the flthead 3 speed idea i had for my a project with a Hemi 5 speed. The way i see it, the Hemi will be more expensive to build and the frame mods are extensive in comparison to the flatty, but is the experience and joy in know that i did it worth the large amounts of extra time and money?
Style says . . . Flathead. Testosterone says . . . Hemi. Split the difference and use a 4-speed small block chevy.
An early Chrysler Hemi isn't really going to be any more expensive to build than a flathead. Pistons and bearings are the most expensive things you'll probably have to deal with on the early Hemi...speed parts are pretty close to being in the same price range as the flathead. Even a 331 Chrysler should make 2-3 times the horsepower of the Flathead with only minor modifications. I like the look and sound of a flathead, but there's just something about an early Hemi.
They both look cool. They will both spin the tires. I'd dig either of 'em. But nobody ever bothered making a flathead conversion for a hemi, did they?
Now that old Flathead over yonder can beat one 'a them there new fangled "Hemis" anyday..........ah screw the old timer talk. If you can get a Hemi and do it, then get going on it! I love Flatheads but nothin' much is better than a open header Fire Power mill with six deuces... -Dean
Hemi Hemi Hemi Hemi !! Oh , did I forget to say HEMI! EvilT has got a Desoto Hemi he wants to sell -- why not ?
HEMI..... I got one for sale..If ya want it, ya better act quick.. It is on ebay but I would pull it for a HAMBer. I will sell it for 600.00 with an extra set of heads and timing cover...was a runner(so I am told).. It is apart for inspection(Heads off).. spins nice and had compression.. needs a cleaning and seals.Desoto 276....EVILT
I have the same problem...i run my coupe with a nice french flaty...I have also have a 392 dual carb next to me... I decide to run a blower on the flathead! and keep the hemi for an other project....
Hemi's are HEAVY. Stay with a 354 or 392 if your gonna do it. I wouldnt mess with a 331. Flatheads sound bitchen and are cheaper too.....
You know the Jimmy White video that keeps popping up on here? That's an extended bell (pre-'54) 331 in that car, punched .125 over. It ran 12's at over 100 mph in the quarter at the Day of the Drags the year before last and is capable of more. So yeah, the 331 Chryslers are obviously a waste of time.
Whats the matter with 331's dont pick on the little guy dude!! The mooneyham and Sharp fuel coupe ran a 331. As far as I am concerned all hemis are killer!!! love Jimmy White P.s. Also the 55 331 heads are supposedly the best flowing as well... P.s.s. My little 331 ran 12.80, with I think alot more left in it with no problem. P.s.s.s. Jason I miss you!!!
Bass, I think all of us little hemi guys replied at the same time. Jason is getting picked on by the little cubic inch guys. Jimmy White
haha yep...Dogpile! For what it's worth, it would probably be better to start with a 354 and put '54 or '55 331 heads on it. But the money you save in starting with the less expensive initial buy-in on a 331 can be put towards nice forged pistons. 392's are a whole different story when it comes to initial buy-in, but replacement pistons are actually cheaper if you don't want anything too crazy. Cams, intakes and valve covers, etc cost pretty much the same no matter what cubic inch you have. Also, the Hemi only weighs 160 pounds more than a flathead. You can shave that down a bit closer with an aluminum intake. (Hemi: 729 lbs, Flathead: 569 lbs)
Thanks for the insight guys, defintely helping. EvilT is offering a desoto 276, i gotta do some research tomorrow on itto see what that would leave me to work with. I'd like a 5 speed so i can whip some snot stop light to stop light, but also drive this thing to Paso and So Cal. PS Bass, i've been watching your build, and it's an inspiration for mine, i like a lot of the things that you have done so far and can't wait to see the finished project.
Thanks! I need to get off of the computer and get back out in the shop! Desotos are cool, but speed stuff for them can be really hard to find. The Desoto would be cool for a street motor on the mild side. I don't think it would be out of line to expect close to 1hp per cubic inch with good machinework and maybe a little more cam. And they can be super reliable...Bob Wilson has one in his '27 roadster and he's driven it from Texas to California and back more than several times. But if you wanna put some go-fast parts in and on your motor, then I'd stay with the Chrysler family of early Hemis.
Do all Hemis share the same outer dimensions? I mean, if i used the Desoto i could use a stock T5 trans from pick and pull, which would allow me to drive and get all the bugs out of the car before a teardown for "paint" and add a bigger Hemi and stronger trans.
No, Chryslers are physically larger, but the short bellhousing Chryslers have the same bellhousing as the Dodge and Desoto Hemis.
Here's a trick that might shave a few cubic dollars off a build. Use a 56-58 Poly 354 block with the 55 331 heads. Same block. If you're going to bore it anyways, changing the pistons over isn't a big deal. Can't remember if the Poly has the better crank or not, but if you're just doing a street car and not going to beat it to death every week it aught to be fine. Around here I can only find a couple Hemis in yards, but I can find about 10 of the 57-58 poly engines. Usually they're missing the 4-barrel setup but otherwise complete.
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