I'm looking for an alternative of the sbc and decided I'd like to run a Hemi. I know theres Chrysler and Desoto, and different sizes, was lookin at a early 50's Chrysler 331, is that something worth throwing in my project, i'm always doubtful just cause its called a Hemi its a good motor, looks can be deceiving, whats a ball park of a good block or something needing alittle work to get runnin ??.. also what are my trans options. I guess i'm just wondering the pros and cons. Any help is appreciated.. Thanks. -Anthony I'm sure this had been talked about before, so any previous thread links to shut me up would be appreciated as well..
Depends on the project. A good chrysler will run you about $8k after it is all said and done. Lots of parts available if you have a good set of heads and a block, it's just that they are expensive.
Never been easier to run a Early Hemi than it is TODAY. Lots of manufactures are making trans adapters, engine parts, bearings - you name it - it's out there today!! Some stuff is higher - but ALOT is the same as most other off brand motors.
Its definately not as expensive as some people make it out to be, you just need to be smart about how you build it. i built my 55 331 industrial motor for about a grand. and half that was in the intake and carb setup. early 331's without front water ports in the head are more of a pain that later models like mine because it limits your intake setup, they never made dual quads for those so the best you could do would be a big heavy singe will carter 4bbl, which is cool in it own right but just too damn heavy. your best bet is to find a 354, bore it to 4 in. and get some good, stock 392 pistons and fit em in there. cheap, easy and the stock 392's are good. the next big thing is making sure you have a good cam, that can be a pain as i have found, in the dodge motors especially. the last set of lobes closes to the int. drive gear tend to go bad before any other do, and it ****s. 354's also. to me, have a better bottom end in them than a 392 the webbing holding the crankshaft in does not have and holes. so its a better choice of engine for a 4bolt main setup. in the end its not very hard to rebuild one of these on the cheap. intake manifolds are the most expensive part. but if you chose to do so ive got a huge stash that id be more than happy to see you some stuff. take care
I *****-footed around about a Hemi for a long time as well, and for the same reasons. But WTF? Some things are just worth going the extra mile (and dollar) for. A Hemi is definitely one of them in my book. Hot heads is an excellent resource, and as already said, check out ScooterMcrads Hemi tech. I bought a '56 Desoto 330, and I have found almost everything I'm gonna need. Chryslers are easier to find cool vintage speed stuff for. Wilcap and several other places do trans adapters, pretty much for whatever you want to go with. Also check out lakeheaders.com.
Hey BZT you are one of the few left who can say under a thousand,crank, block and heads with no work done on them cost that much and no inkling of a gaurantee. Hemi is like harley 100 bucks for everything
The bottom line in that a SBC is probably about the least expensive motor you can build - especiallly if you trade parts, go to the swap meets, etc.. But - you already know that. There are quite a few 50's production motors that are cool to run, but most are harder to find parts for than later motors. At least there are lots of parts for the early Chrysler Hemi's. I agree that a 354 is probably the best engine for the price -- as 392 cores cost 2 to 3 times as much. If you don't go wild, it probably won't cost you a whole lot more to rebulid a good 354 than a SBC -- except maybe the rocker arms, bearings, timing cover, etc.. Almost everything else about the rebuild costs the same or similar to almost any modern motor. I'd say a comparable rebuild on a early 354 Hemi will cost about $1000 more than a SBC ( just a wild *** guesstimate ). If you start going to custom rockers, 4 bolt mains, special rods, etc -- then you'll be spending lots of $$$ . . . just like you would in most "modern" motors. Find a COMPLETE 354 engine -- with a good crank, good heads, good rods, rocker covers, etc -- and you'll be on your way. Best of luck! Dale
i actually did a fair amount of head work on my 331, i decked them .050 bigger valves etc. its just a matter of being smart about it and doing as much of it yourself as possible, its more fun that way anyhow. the block was in such good shape, from just being an irrigation pump its whole life that i just took it apart and honed the cyl and put it back together and the ring gap was dead on. i didnt just pull this motor and stick it in somthing, i made sure everything was within spec.
Thanks for the advice, i'm gonna do my homework, i p***ed on the 331 chrysler and will look into the best bet $$$ wise, I figured all Hemi's weren't the same, some were good, some were ****.. they just look so damn ***y.. -Anthony
I agree with Bored & Stroked, find your self a good 354. I my opinion they are the best for an early Hot Rod. I just got my roadster with a 354 on the road and took a 3,000 mile trip and the engine ran perfect, and averaged 19 MPG for the trip with gobs of torque. I used a Chris Neilson 272 duration cam, moly rings, big block Chev water pump conversion, Hot Heads 4 bbl manifold with a 650 Holley, MSD ignition, Hedman headers, mechanical fan, port matched the intake and exhaust p***ages in the heads, debured the crank and block, and balanced everything. Adapted to a M20 Muncie and a Winters V 8 Quickchange with a # 4 ge****t. Here's a couple of pictures.
A word to the wise on rebuilding your first hemi. Buy one complete and tear it apart carefully understanding how it is designed. That way upon ***embly (with a good book) things go much better. Now that I did one (bought it complete), I wouldn't hesitate to buy a bunch of parts then build one. Don't build your first one buying a bunch of parts here and there. Too difficult for beginners to understand how all the parts go back together (Just my silly opinion). The last thing you want to do is pay someone big bucks to do something you could have done just for your labor.
now, i have the small hemi yall havent metioned, the 241 red ram. it ran when i bought the car. it ran like ****, but it ran. im getting close to finishing and my bill so far is about $2400. i found almost anything i needed from egge.com. they were good to me.
All Hemis are good!! there is no such thing as a **** hemi. I think even the extended bellhousing hemis are good. I have one in my model A with a four speed and six twos, best engine I have ever built! Jimmy White Circle City Hot Rods
Hey I've seen the DeadEndCruisers video of Jimmy White's Model A coupe with the multi-carbed 331. Wild *** video!!!! I punch it up every now and then just for incentive to go out and work on my next hemi project. To the newbie hemi builder I would suggest getting the Tex Smith book on building hemis as it pretty much has everything in it that you need to know. I also agree that it would be best to start with a complete engine versus doing one in pieces. I have found that the basic rebuild parts such as rings and bearings are only marginally more than those parts are for say a sbc. Hard parts(cams, valves, pistons, etc) will cost you more but then again you will end up with a very ***y and powerful engine compared to the cookie cutter sbc;sbf engines out there.
I love my hemi. I started gathering stuff before the Street rodder hemi series came out some years ago. Prices have definitely gone up since then but if you're patient and network deals can still be had. For example I gave $185 for my Weiand WC245 4x2bbl back then. Have you seen the price of these things on ebay these days???!!! Regardless, they are a great engine.
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