Hemi's down on the farm

Heres the deal. Me and a buddy of mine stumbled across a few early hemi motors while we were wandering across the Texas panhandle. Not quite sure yet if they are 331's or 354's, although I believe they are 354's. Apparently, these motors were used as well pumps back in the 50's and 60's, and they were sold to farmers. I have talked with a few people, and I have gotten conflicting answers, but I would like to know if these motors can be converted for street use. Also, what would it take to convert them?

 

I'm almost certain that they can be used on the street. I have a friend who has a couple of them. I'd love to see a set of chromed out "Chrysler Industrial" valve covers on a street hemi

 

i think the only diffrence is in the bellhousing area . I have heard of them being used on the street but im not sure what went into them.

 

Every industrial motor is different. they have wierd gear drives in some, reverse rotation on some, odd front covers, and some had gear driven reverse rotation cams. The only way to find out is to tear it down. David

 

A friend of mine is using a flathead ford that was used to drive a pump on a cranberry bog in SE M***. It's a bolt in, no difference from one taken out of a car. It may have come from a car in the first place. He hasen't torn it down yet, so he doesn't know any more than it turns freely.

 

Most engines I've found for industrial use just had different pulleys or a PTO on them. None of them were reverse drive. I have a flathead with a PTO and a 331 Hemi with a 10 space pulley on the crank.

 

i could be mistaken but i think our own kerry on the HAMB runs an industrial hemi

 

in the panhandle all forms of motors were-are used for well pumps. a lot of them are just pulled from cars and put in a stand. we sold them for years! one thing to think about most well motors around here are used non stop all summer and run night and day. so they most likely have a lot of miles on them.

good luck on the purchase!

 

I've got three industrials..two Ind-56's (331's) and one Ind-56a (354). These are really p***enger car engines with hardened exhaust valve seats (for propane). All three were powered irrigation pumps...got one from Chickasha, OK...one from Nebraska and one from Lubbock, TX.

No funky gear drives like the marine versions..no reverse rotation like the marine versions...just good old American iron. Forget what PAW has for info on their website...it's just not factual in many cases. Get your info from Bob Walker @Hot Heads or other early Hemi vendors and experts. The PAW stuff will just fill your head with nonsense.

BTW...I have my 354 set to go to the machine shop this week...my Ind heads are already done...this is going in my '56 F-100 with a 6-71.

 

I'm glad this topic came up. I work with a guy that recently purchased a 50-year-old portable generator powered by a Chrysler industrial hemi. The generator is in very good condition and he wanted to use the engine in a project. We know the bellhousing is different, but have been arguing over differences in the internals. I think he has decided to sell the whole generator to a local welder who wants to restore it. I'll show him this post before he does. Thanks for the info.

 

I had a couple of these Ind. hemis..other than different pulleys and some strange(easily removed )cooling hook ups, they went right into cars...I'm chasing a flathead that powered the emerg. generator at an old mall near me...they're ripping the place down soon & one of the maintenace guys is going to let me rip it out...

 

331s could be "long tail" or "short tail" depending on year. The cams were designed to run at certain RPM, not variable like a car. Replace w/ 354 cam & w/use of spacer you can run a 318/340 timing chain. If it has wet intake(54 style heads) you can get rid of some of the extra bulk up front by using a 54 timing cover. Probably should get Tex Smith's Hemi book from Hot Rod Library.

 

Thanks for the answers. I kind of figured they'd be useable, but I have never messed with the, so I wasn't sure. I spoke with a dude who swears he is a hemi guru, and he told me the only thing they were good for were boat anchors. So much for a self proclaimed expert. I'm hoping to start tearing one open in the next week or so. If all goes well the old five window will be cruisin in style by summertime.

 

Krooser's comments are solid. A lot of this is archieved in the Q&A forums at www.thehemi.com,or feel free to ask more!

 

If it was a true industrial motor for a generator or pump they do differ. If it's a good ole boy pump it's a car motor. Lots of irrigation pumps use whatever they can find.

 

my 331 was used to pump water in a pecan crove. there are allot of parts made for the industrial hemis. water pump adapters,cams.timing chains.to me it just makes sence to run the industrial motor, adjustable rockers,hard valves,and they are cheaper to buy than a car motor.i paid $250 for mine complete