We picked up a 331 in good shape, loose out of the car. But it's a '54 block with the built in bellhousing. Does anything fit on here besides the trans it came with? What options for a manual? Also wondered what it's worth. This thing looks like it will run if we put it in a car, it does turn, supposedly is missing the pushrods. It's not worth a lot I am sure between the smaller size and the less desirable bellhousing, but I was curious. I'll probably get asked to post it around when he decides what he thinks it's worth, so I wanted some real world prices... my guess is between $500 and $1000, depending on how it is inside and assuming it's not a fresh rebuild.
You can get an adapter from Power Play (hot heads) for a G.M. 4 speed for that motor. There is also adapters for early Ford 3 speeds. Jimmy White
I'm still learning all the idiosynchrosies of the early Hemi...but are you sure it's a '54? I think '51-53 only had the extended bellhousing...my'54 331 doesn't have the extended bell. Also '54 had a lot better heads (larger ports), so that'll probably figure into the price equation as well. As far as what's available....pretty much anything if you're willing to spend the money (except a GM automatic adapter for the extended bell).
Yep. And those "early" early Chryslers had dismal heads on them. They will look good in a rod, but don't expect them to storm like a 392/354/ '55 331. There are some options. Like Jimmy said, you can find some adapters. And some machine shops can take the block and actually cut off the extended bell portion to mount up whatever bellhousing/trans you like. I think that is an expensive option though. As for value, about $800-1000 max, and that's if it is a verified running engine.
53-54 were the change years...some extended bell blocks were used and the new 54's had the non-extended block(using up the old stock,I guess) As Bass mentioned ,Hot heads has a great inventory of adapters.Bob Walker is a great man. I use him and Wilcap(Pat McGuire).....I believe there are no gm-53/54 hemi adapters for manual(extended block)....I could be wrong. 1954 was the performance start year for the chrycho hemi-331/345.....big heads/higher h.p. As a side note.....all 3 familys share no compatiblity Dodge/desoto/Chrysler. the only thing that can be swapped is the timing cover .....Go Wilcap......very good people.
Serial is stamped C542-8-xxxx, my book says that means it's a '54 block made in Los Angeles. But it definately has an extended bell, it's deep on the back of the block. Thanks guys, thats what I thought on the value. I guess we're going to make a "rat rod kit" with it, if I help out I'll get some of the proceeds to go into one of my too many projects.
Got a GM 4 speed behind my '53 extended-bellhousing block (w/ 54 heads). It's been on there since '65. FWIW, Offy made the adapter and Lloyd Capana copied my spare bfore he died. Talked to Pat McGuire a few years ago and he said they were reproducing them way back then. Must be gazillions out there, now. Looks like a flat plate. Uses a straightened tri-5 clutch fork. Just replaced my clutch for about 13 years ago with an NOS one.
screw all these new adapter companys you can still find adapters at swaps, ebay, internet searchs... unless you wana build a street-rod haha extended bell I have had 3 different adapters- cragar to early ford (toploader or sideshift) Offy to lasalle that I run in my roadster- Offy to early ford theres alot more... like- Speed jems to GM 4 speed many many more.... rocco and cheaters still have the flywheels call them- Tuck
Yeah, Street Rodder did an article about the idios of all the different families. They mentioned in the article that the "poly" V8 was the same block and that hemi heads would bolt on to them. Perhaps a Mopar guy could confirm.
Thanks for the correction Skip.....if anybody knows...you sure do.... BTW....did you ever get that art award you won from me at the Canats in Windsor? Thanks for the knowledgabe info!! Jeff
All great info, had many Firepowers back in the '60's, like a jerk sold them off 'cuz of parts getting hard to get!#$%!#$&&. Never saw a '54 or newer with the exteded bellhousing as that deal was for the infamous Fluiddrive (built to make Dynaflow ond iron Powergides "feel" like Muncies in comparison), and the two speed Powerflite (predecessor of Torqueflite) came out in summer of '53 on the very late, very few '53 models. Far as I know all '54's were Powerfites ...but, hell, exceptions happen all the time. Do feel free to talk with Bob Walker at Powerplay/HotHemiHeads, I talked a while with him at GG in Charlotte last week, he is a good guy to know. Also, for written material I feel that Ron Ceridono's book "The Complete Chrysler Hemi Engine Manual" (ISBN 1878772015) is a terrific resource book for all the Mopar hemi's, large and small, has lots of info as well as numbers and where to find stuff, definitely a five star garage book. Good luck with it all!
Yes, I did. I'm looking at it hanging on the wall right now as I type. If I remember correctly, Arlene Bailie delivered it at the Nationals the following week.
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