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Projects Model A with hemi road manners

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by mikew, Jul 30, 2009.

  1. mikew
    Joined: Oct 29, 2002
    Posts: 211

    mikew
    Member

    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
     
  2. 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.....
     
  3. Bruce Lancaster
    Joined: Oct 9, 2001
    Posts: 21,681

    Bruce Lancaster
    Member Emeritus

    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.
     
  4. LUX BLUE
    Joined: May 23, 2005
    Posts: 4,407

    LUX BLUE
    Alliance Vendor
    from AUSTIN,TX

    I don't own a hemi coupe.

    However, I have driven 2 different hemi coupes, and they were fine. no different than a flathead.
     
  5. mikew
    Joined: Oct 29, 2002
    Posts: 211

    mikew
    Member

    Thanks Bruce, I have Tardels steering book and the box will get rebuilt as needed.
     
  6. scootermcrad
    Joined: Sep 20, 2005
    Posts: 12,383

    scootermcrad
    Member

    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.
     
  7. Sounds like the locals are dumb***es.
     
  8. Bruce Lancaster
    Joined: Oct 9, 2001
    Posts: 21,681

    Bruce Lancaster
    Member Emeritus

    Local streetrodders all seem to remember one photo caption they saw in Streetrodder in 1982 and repeat it endlessly when asked about anything technical...
     
  9. mikew
    Joined: Oct 29, 2002
    Posts: 211

    mikew
    Member

    Thanks guys. I appreciate your opinions and experience.
     
  10. Fullblast
    Joined: Jan 6, 2004
    Posts: 930

    Fullblast
    Member

    My 29 with a 354- bit more heavy than yours, workek fine, I had a axel and spring from speedway, worked fine.
     
  11. EARLYHEMIBILL
    Joined: Apr 7, 2008
    Posts: 465

    EARLYHEMIBILL
    Member
    from ?

    Have any of these locals expressed any interest in your hemi? Perhaps they just want it for themselves. Bill
     
  12. bbaldwin
    Joined: Aug 18, 2012
    Posts: 13

    bbaldwin
    Member

    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
     
  13. sunbeam
    Joined: Oct 22, 2010
    Posts: 6,397

    sunbeam
    Member

    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#.
     
  14. bbaldwin
    Joined: Aug 18, 2012
    Posts: 13

    bbaldwin
    Member

    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!
     
  15. Don's Hot Rods
    Joined: Oct 7, 2005
    Posts: 8,319

    Don's Hot Rods
    Member
    from florida

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

    Don
     
  16. EARLYHEMIBILL
    Joined: Apr 7, 2008
    Posts: 465

    EARLYHEMIBILL
    Member
    from ?

    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
     
  17. mikew
    Joined: Oct 29, 2002
    Posts: 211

    mikew
    Member

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

    Attached Files:

  18. Fenders
    Joined: Sep 8, 2007
    Posts: 3,921

    Fenders
    Member

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

    Attached Files:

  19. ago
    Joined: Oct 12, 2005
    Posts: 2,198

    ago
    Member
    from pgh. pa.

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


    Ago
     
  20. EARLYHEMIBILL
    Joined: Apr 7, 2008
    Posts: 465

    EARLYHEMIBILL
    Member
    from ?

    What do you think a small block chevy will weigh with a 115 lb blower on it?
     
  21. Kirk Hanning
    Joined: Feb 27, 2005
    Posts: 1,605

    Kirk Hanning
    Member

    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.
     
  22. toddwith2ds
    Joined: Jul 5, 2010
    Posts: 85

    toddwith2ds
    Member
    from AZ

    115 lb more than my engine...
     
  23. bbaldwin
    Joined: Aug 18, 2012
    Posts: 13

    bbaldwin
    Member

    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.
     
  24. Lockjaw
    Joined: Sep 1, 2003
    Posts: 172

    Lockjaw
    Member

    don't go to small on the diameter of the steering wheel
     
  25. ago
    Joined: Oct 12, 2005
    Posts: 2,198

    ago
    Member
    from pgh. pa.

    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
     
  26. mikew
    Joined: Oct 29, 2002
    Posts: 211

    mikew
    Member

    The chop on my coupe is about 2.5". I like it because it's a little more subtle than the typical 4"
     
  27. hotrodderhaag
    Joined: Jan 22, 2007
    Posts: 2,146

    hotrodderhaag
    Member


    that flat color is great!
     
  28. Jamoke
    Joined: Sep 1, 2011
    Posts: 723

    Jamoke
    Member

    Proper alignment angles will sove any problems . Your SAI (Steering axis inclination) can compensate for different weight over steering
     
  29. silent rick
    Joined: Nov 7, 2002
    Posts: 5,691

    silent rick
    Member

    aren't you glad you didn't listen to the locals. welcome to the wonderful world of desoto hemi ownership.
     
  30. Atwater Mike
    Joined: May 31, 2002
    Posts: 11,618

    Atwater Mike
    Member

    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.
     

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