Hot Rods I Just Bought 3 Early Hemis. I’d Like Your Knowledge/Input.

both desotos are low deck models, and if space is at a premium, the desotos will be around an inch smaller in every dimension than the 392 and also around 100 pounds lighter.
that said, I would do anything it takes to run the 392, this coming from a dummy with a 291 desoto in my 46 Ford and a 241 dodge in my 27 roadster, both highly adequate for the job they were chosen to do.

 

Hot Heads is well versed and stocked with replacement parts, I'll give them that. When using them they are very good at getting you parts that aren't exactly correct but can be used (sometimes there isn't another choice). When going that direction you best have you're A Game in play and double check everything. Do Not just bolt things up and move on. These motors are Not your SBC that anyone can just throw together. If you're going to Modify and or Up-Grade don't ***ume it's going to be a nuts-and-bolts deal.

 

Good idea on starting with the 392. Gives you time to soak and soak and soak the other two and see if they might start to turn over. If you can get them to the point as being a rebuildable core they could be sold to offset some of the costs of the 392. Just my opinion...yours may vary.

 

If you were here in the PNW I'd have made you a hell of a deal on a 56 Desoto 330 2 barrel engine in a basket that is going to need everything as it has been sitting in a shed apart for the past 30 years.

 

I'll throw a plug in for the 330 Desoto tall deck Engine. I got one for free that was all torn down, packed in cosmoline and bagged years ago. I still spent $6k building it (overbore, pistons, custom re-grind cam, tons of Hot Head parts, etc), it is a wild engine and resides in my 41 Ford PU. Hits like a brick through a plate gl*** window! I find it hard to believe that Ford was still making flatheads in 1953 (I own one of those as well) and this monster is only 3 years newer.

 

Well Bill, Duntov had to design his overhead conversion for the Fords before Mopar could steal the idea. Much in common between them.