whats difference is there between a chrysler hemi, and a desoto hemi, of 1955 vintage. also is there transmission adapters available for a desoto, and any other aftermarket items ie intake manifolds, water pumps . or should i forget that motor and use a early olds, or cadillac say 56-57 vintage
http://www.hothemiheads.com/ Chrysler is the biggest, Desoto is the medium size and the Dodge is the smallest (physical size). They are all the same basic design. Don't use the Desoto... send it to me instead.
Adapters are available, so I'm told, and Vintage Speed is making 2x6 manifolds for them, although you could alway make your own log manifold. It's a Hemi ... I'd be hard pressed to p*** one up.
http://www.hothemiheads.com/desoto/intake_manifolds/intake_4x2_log.html http://www.hothemiheads.com/desoto/intake_manifolds/intake_6x2_log.html
There are more differences that similarities between the DeSoto and the Chrysler engines. 55 DeSoto is 291 ci, and quite mild in stock form. There is a very limited amount of bolt-on eye candy but plenty of internal stuff to make it run hard. It will be a challenge, (difficult/expensive) to locate a 4-bbl intake, so if this engine has one, hide it quick. There is some activity by several individuals to cast new intakes and hopefully this happens soon. A number of guys have used a large base 500 cfm Holley 2-bbl on the oem manifold with good results. Transmission adapters are available for several different trans, we make them for Mopar units. If you want something to get attention then use the Hemi. Remember, if it was cheap/easy then everyone would do it.
I have a 51 ford truck with a 54 276ci with a 450 holley 4bbl should run good havent fired it yet Manifolds are a pain to find though
What kind of coin are we looking at to buy an original 4bbl intake for a 55 Desoto? I have one without an intake and was told there are only 2bbl intakes available, and would at least like to get a 4bbl intake. What about an original carb to, anyone have any idea on the cost of one? Geno
Cost varies - it's finding one that's hard. I was bidding on a 4bbl intake for a 276 on ebay a few months ago. It went from $50 to $900 so fast your head would spin. I quit paying attention after that ... out of my price range. Can you say LOG intake?
What they said. My brother had a DeSoto hemi in a homemade slingshot rail job in the Sixties, borrowed a set of Hilborn injectors that fit a Chrysler from a fellow racer who wasn't currently using them, had to cut them in half and then they fit the smaller Desoto just fine. Chrysler guy wasn't amused when he got them back in 4 pieces at the end of the season.
DeSoto = expensive to build/hop up...From a current experience, if I decide to build another Hemi - I recommend to go bigger such as the 331. Considering the amount of money involved and the options you have as far as speed equipment availability
The difference in Desoto/Dodge and the Chrysler, is the speed parts. The Chrysler is fairly reasonable to build a powerful motor. The Desoto/Dodge motors are more nostalgic, and just for looks.
You must not have much experience with Hemis ... They are ALL expensive if you dont do any research or are willing search for some deals. I have done 3 DeSoto's and with some patients & research they havent been any more expensive than an other early engine. But DeSoto's are JUST JUNK !! Don't **** with it & Send Info on any Speed Equipment to me !
56-57 Desoto should be a 330 or 345 TALL deck, The older 291's are LOW deck's. Intakes are different. I have a 4bbl intake with orginal carb $300.00. I found a 2 4bbl intake off a 57 Adventurer, Paid dearly for it 4 years ago. The length of the 330's are 21 1/2" long, with out timing cover. Hot Heads sell a Alum. timing cover w/ adapter to use a big block chevy water pump.
The Jalopy Journal
