I've got a friend of a friend who supposedly has a 392 hemi for sale. The motor is still in the car and is running! Now, I'm not too proud to say that I know absolutely nothing about hemi engines. I do know that some are more desirable than others, and as of yet I don't know the exact year or model of the car. I know some have the bell housing cast with the block and I was told that these are the ones to stay away from. Can I get some help out there with trying to figure out which years and models came with what engines? I seem to remember fliud drive ******s; are they good ******s or plies of ****? Any help would be appreciated!
392 hemi did not have extended bellhousings. Ck this site for hemi infor or Hot Heads there is a world of infor out there..Good hunting
There is a TON of information on here regarding early Hemis. Click on the link/picture in my signature line that says "Hemi Tech" on it, get comfortable, and start reading. The HAMB Hemi gurus have come together to make it a one-stop Hemi knowledge shop. We all worked very hard on it and it's still being added to on a weekly basis. If you don't see it there or when doing a search, then start a thread or bump up an appropriate one for each topic with your questions. There is an ID and a "What's it worth" section that has tons of great information. There is an especially good section on adapting transmissions as well. There is a Hemi for every occasion out there. Just have to decide what you want to do with it, what it's going in, and how much your wallet can support. You can spend BIG money or you can spend a moderate amount. Just depends. Sit back and have a read! Oh... And the Hemis that have the bellhousing cast in are the early 331 Chryslers (1951 to early 1954). There's nothing wrong with them. Automatic transmissions are a little more difficult to adapt, but other than that, they have all the potentials of the other early Hemis. Again, just depends on what you're doing. Enjoy!
On the top of the engine just in front of the valley cover, is the engine serial #. That will tell you a what engine you are looking at.
I will suggest supplying us with the STAMPED engine number that should be located on the machined part of the block just in front of the lifter valley pan. This will offer what year, make, and size engine you are looking at. We can talk about the price once this info is known.
Get the VIN Number off right in front of the valley pan, that Number will tell you what you need to know. Ago
As the rest said, get the stamped code. The extended bellhousing is not so bad, not as desireable as the std bellhousing. Any hemi can be a good engine.
The extended block casting on the early engines got a bad rap because when you really ****tered a clutch/flywheel ***embly it usually broke the skirt off the block and ruined the whole engine.
Everybody has a "392", but like has been said, if it has the extended bell & fluid drive, it's a 331, as Scooter said. The 51-3 Chrysler body would be a hint also if it is in the original car.
392's were in 1957 and 1958 Chryslers. Not in Dodges, Desotos, or Plymouths. Like 30dodgeboy said, "Most 392's aren't".
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