Projects Model A with hemi road manners

I'm putting together a 31 coupe. I bought a nice complete 330 desoto hemi for it, but I'm having second thoughts. A few locals have been telling me that I will not enjoy driving it, because the weight of the engine makes steering difficult and the suspension will not behave. Intended setup is a F-1 box and an model A front spring.

I love the look of the engine, but I drive them a LOT around town and don't want to regret installing that heavy of an engine.

Any input from anyone that has used this combo?

Thanks

 

dont know how it'll steer with the F-1 box...but i just sat a 325 hemi down in the frame rails of my topolino...28 model a rails....i had a empty sbc block,(block only, no crank cam rods ect) with fully loaded cast sbc heads on it and a 200 overdrive automatic trans bolted to it (no torque converter)setting in it before the hemi..marked the shocks for compression..droped hemi in there, fully ***embled motor no trans and my shocks are a good 1/4" higher then with the sbc block and trans,,,so far everyone has said the sbc would work fine steering wise in this setup....my difference is i went vega cross steer...and i'm building it for a cruiser.......so what is the difference between a 330 desoto hemi and a dodge 325??supposed according to some web sites, about 50lbs.....

 

I think scrub radius/offset issues and tire width might be much more influential than just weight. Also, get a manual, thoroughly clean up the steering box, and go through adjustments carefully to eliminate as much friction in there as you can.

 

I don't own a hemi coupe.

However, I have driven 2 different hemi coupes, and they were fine. no different than a flathead.

 

Thanks Bruce, I have Tardels steering book and the box will get rebuilt as needed.

 

If you setup your suspension and steering correctly, the weight of the engine should not make a difference. People have been building hot rods forever with big, crazy, overbuilt engines in them. Just do your research and set it up correctly. They're pretty heavy, yes, but if you think about it, they're really only about 150 to 200 pounds more than any other small block sized engine. And even that could be made up for depending on what intake and exhaust manifold you run.

Just make sure your geometry is correct (caster angle, drag link angle, etc.) and you'll be just fine. When done correctly it shouldn't make a difference. Run the appropriate front spring, as well. You may want to look into Posies "heavy duty" front springs. I have to run one on mine for my 331. A standard wouldn't cut it, however I have mine set up in such a manner that makes the spring work a little more.

Just things to think about. Don't fear running a hemi because of what you're hearing. Do your research and build it right and you will never have problems.

 

Sounds like the locals are dumb***es.

 

Local streetrodders all seem to remember one photo caption they saw in Streetrodder in 1982 and repeat it endlessly when asked about anything technical...

 

Thanks guys. I appreciate your opinions and experience.

 

My 29 with a 354- bit more heavy than yours, workek fine, I had a axel and spring from speedway, worked fine.

 

Have any of these locals expressed any interest in your hemi? Perhaps they just want it for themselves. Bill

 

I just got a 56 desoto 330 in a 4 dr sedan and plan to pull it for use in my 31 model a coupe on a TCI rolling ch***is. I am getting alot of advise and will make several decisions in the nest few weeks.
Brad

 

There not as heavy nail head or an early Olds or Cad with a aloy intake and chevy water pump you could get it down to around 625#.

 

yes I plan on both an alloy intake ( prob. with 2 deuces) and a chev water pump. The ****** may still kill the weight if I go with the orig torque flight. ie push ****ons!

 

Bingo. They don't know what they are talking about.

Don

 

We're putting together a 31 with a 341 Desoto hemi. It weighs less than a big block Cheby so it shouldn't be an issue. Bill

 

Old thread, it's finally on the road. Handles pretty good and is DAMN good time to drive.

 

My next build will be a 31 coupe with a 291 DeSoto hemi.... Got the motor, got the body, collecting parts....

 

I have a 32 Ford with a blown Chrysler hemi and vega steering, I drive the car everywhere and have no issues.


Ago

 

What do you think a small block chevy will weigh with a 115 lb blower on it?

 

It never ceases to amaze me on people who don't have a clue are instant experts when it comes to certain things. A Chrysler hemi may weigh 200# over a sbc and people jump to conclusions. Filling up your gas tank could about equal that let alone having another person in the car as a p***enger. Try explaining the difference of a Dodge/Desoto/Chrysler hemi to the "experts" noone could possibly know more than they know. The worst part is that the majority have no desire to learn when explained.

 

115 lb more than my engine...

 

MikeW, i love the rake on your blue A. What did you chop out of it? Looks like 2 to 3 inches or so. Nice combination.

 

don't go to small on the diameter of the steering wheel

 

A 354 Chyrsler Hemi with aluminum water pump, intake, and steel tube headers will weigh about 130-140 lbs more than SBC. about the same as a BB Chev. The 392 weighs about 60 lbs. more. The Chevy water pump conversion(new Hemi pumps NLA) will shorten the Chyrsler 4 inches and will fit in the same length as a SBC. But will be wider



Ago

 

The chop on my coupe is about 2.5". I like it because it's a little more subtle than the typical 4"

 

that flat color is great!

 

Proper alignment angles will sove any problems . Your SAI (Steering axis inclination) can compensate for different weight over steering

 

aren't you glad you didn't listen to the locals. welcome to the wonderful world of desoto hemi ownership.

 

When I had my shop, these 'geniuses' would saunter in, like 'potential customers'.

Next thing they're spewing forth abundances of knowledge that eclipsed my meager decades of schools and experience...It was just by mere wits I was able to eject them by verbal suggestion.