hemi extended bellhousing vs. short

besides the bellhousing, what makes the short bellhousing hemi, pretty sure the years are from 51 to 53, more desireable? I know the 54-55 have the better heads. Any info will help

Thanks

 

The later Chrysler has a tin timing chain cover that is nicer looking than the iron early cover. Cam snout is different as well as the oil filter mount and pressure relief. The later stuff is eaiser to get aftermarket.

 

Put Hemi Tech Index in search & start reading!

 

Small cover didn't start untill '55, & then only on cars. Cam snout didn't change untill '56, & Oil filters are the same.

 

Not true on the oil and filter housing. My early long bell housing 331 had the byp*** built into th filter housing and a extra port in the mounting face on the block for byp*** oil to return. My later Windsor 331 and 392 blocks had only 2 (Oil in and oil out) Pressure relief was internal. Tin cover may be true and the same for cam snouts. My Dodge engines picked up on the newer style sooner than that.

 

Some early 331s don't have the check valve between the upper & lower p***ages in the block, block wasn't drilled for them, don't know if all or some.

 

More adapters/options for transmissions.

 

rereading..this is backward! the short tails are 54 & up, long tail are 51-53. The short tails are easy to adapt to A/T, besides the better heads.

 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

The 51-53 engine does not have any advantages over the 'normal' 54-58 engine(s). The 51-53, even with small ports and valves, can make respectable power, but not as much, perhaps, as the 54 with the same monetary investment.
The biggest disadvantage, is the trouble adapting an auto trans. If you plan on a manual then it is not so bad, in fact, if you have access to machine tools you can make your own!

Make damn sure that you have the bottom bellhousing piece!!!

.

 

This was true on my '53...^

I used a long bellhouse adapted to a T5, and it worked out for my coupe. I bought a whole car to get the engine, and got that bottom bellhouse piece! The original transmission/torque convertor/clutch with a flexplate and flywheel is a strange site! Glad I could get rid of all that with some help from Wilcap!

 

Thanks everyone for all the info. So besides the ****** adapters, if I bolt on a pair of 54-55 they should make the power and have the same potential??

 

They run just as good in my experiance.

 

Checked the Hemi Tech Index yet?

 

Yeah I've been reading the index, I can't really find a solid answer is why I'm asking.

 

the 54-6 heads have bigger ports, the 55-6 heads have bigger ports & valves.

 

Swapping later heads onto an early block needs to be done cautiously since there is a coolant p***age that does not line up...
Unless you are really in need of 350+ hp I say use the early heads. Spend the money on forged pistons, good cam and rebuilt rocker arms.
If you have excess money then buy a 392 and be done with it...

.

 

cool, and thanks for all the info i appreciate it

 

Not to sidetrack the post, but what exactly has to be done to get the later 54-55 heads on an early 331 block?

I've got a couple of early 331 blocks, and a couple sets of later heads...

 

'54 gasket's the same. Think '55 gaskets on '55 heads will work, Dowel change & other changes like less tall '56head will cause leaks with '51-4 gaskets.can co

 

Compare/overlay early and 'later' gaskets and you will quickly find the coolant hole problem and how neither gasket really does a good job of sealing the other. The proper 'fix' will be to plug either the block or the heads and redrill to match the gasket.
Dowel pins pull out of the block, put in new ones.

.

 

Thanks!

Do you have a preference as to which p***age you block, or does it matter?