I have a 1951 Chrysler New Yorker with the 331 hemi not sure if I should try to pay to get it rebuilt it runs, but not great wondering if any motorheads out there that can lead me in the right direction Or for an engine that can be put in that car Without too much modifications and where to purchase one I don’t know too much about swapping engines and all that just minor stuff so I’m wondering if the experts out there can lend a helping hand thanks so much
I have not yet started it up last week and the carburetor float was sticking I guess and it was messed up. It was leaking out of one of the side areas the place that I bought it from said they’re gonna do a carburetor rebuild kit on it and go from there, I just noticed when it did crank up and run an idle for at least five minutes Was a slight bit of smoke coming out the oil port where you pour oil in there to refill oil. It was just burning old stuff or not, but I also seen a tad bit of smoke coming out the tailpipe for about two minutes and then after that, it cleared out .
When swapping engines due to a high build cost of the original, consider all the costs to modify everything to make another engine fit
I have had a 1964 Belair years ago with a 283 two speed powerglide blew the engine and replaced it with a 327 which bolted up perfectly motor mounts transmission and everything so that’s why I was wondering if there was an engine out there crate engine that I can purchase not too pricey though and just drop it in there and it would match up, but it seems like I can’t find anything every time I look up on the Internet and somebody says they have a Chrysler engine for that year make a model I call and they say they don’t have one to fit
Nope. I build out of junk yard pieces and build my own mounts. You can do whatever the wallet and skill level allows. I’d do everything I could to keep the hemi
I put a Chrysler 264 cu in V-8 (I think it is called a LA motor) with a 904 auto without any issues into a 1953 Chrysler that had a 331 in it. The only thing other than a rear trans mount is to have exhaust manifolds that had a rear dump. The 264 came out of a 1964 Plymouth Barracuda. I hope that helps.
Compression and vacuum check Carb condition Timing Ignition parts condition Condition of wiring and vacuum lines I’ve seen the exhaust stopped up before Bad grounds
Those old hemi's were pretty tough and went a lot of miles before a rebuild. I had a 54 New Yorker when I was in college. It had about 110K miles and only used any appreciable amount of oil if I really pushed it, like a sustained run over 80 mph. It ran like a fine watch and had plenty of power.
There is no other engine that bolts up like your small block chevy example. The closest would be a poly, which is also not available as a fresh bought engine to swap. It also would decrease the value of the car greatly. I also think the 51 has the extended bell housing, which none of the polys do. Try to rebuild or replace the current engine with a similar engine if needed. If you are unable to perform basic engine analysis to determine the health of the current engine, you are probably not going to be doing a swap. That requires special tools, more advanced knowledge and problem solving. You can learn, and we can help, but there is a LOT to learn and do. Check here for the Hemi tech articles to read up on what you have and what options there are. Expect to spend ten thousand dollars plus all in unless you can do a lot of it yourself.
Thanks for the reply and your knowledge. I definitely want to look into restoring this car want to Pass it down to my older daughter. I realize it’s gonna take some time and money so I’ll definitely will Start reading up on it much appreciated if you have any other pointers, feel free to reach out thanks again.
Glad to help. There is a website that has a lot of info that will help you. https://www.web.imperialclub.info/ Here is the master list of Hemi Tech here. That ought to keep you busy for a while! https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/hemi-tech-index.534354/
Yup! spend time reading the Hemi Tech Index, most of the info is for the '55-58 Hemis vs the long tail 51-3. If you can afford it, do it. If not look at replacing engine & tranny with something that is rear sump. I'd do the Hemi, but if not a rear sump 3 18 or 360 from a van or Pick up would be a relatively easy swap.
There is way too much information missing for us to help you much. It actually sounds to me like the old Hemi may not be in too bad of condition, based on the last statement "but I also seen a tad bit of smoke coming out the tailpipe for about 2 minutes and then after that, it cleared out." The fact that it cleared out is a very good sign. The "slight bit of smoke coming out the oil port where you pour oil in there to refill oil" is pretty common of this era of old motors. a lot of smoke is not good, but a "slight bit" is common. Is "the place you bought it from" charging you for the carburetor rebuild, or is it some kind of warranty deal? Get a price on having them change the oil and the oil filter as well (if it has not already been done). That era car also came with an oil bath air filter, have them clean and service that as well (this also may have already been done). In my opinion, all this stuff should have been done (and may well have been) before they sold you the car. A good tune up, and car service could give you a very fun summer ride with out the need of anything major.
@gene-koning has you covered, as usual! HAMB era cars need a LUBE, oil & filter, something that has been designed out in modern stuff. They should be under it for a while, grease gun in hand. The first item on this Imperial Club's General Repair page should get you started. https://www.web.imperialclub.info/Repair/General/index.htm
No, they’re not charging me for a carburetor rebuild. I don’t think they wanted to put a new one on, but I don’t know if a new one would be better than a carburetor rebuild kit never ventured off into that. I didn’t do the oil change. I’ll do it myself. But I do agree all of this stuff should’ve been done kind of jump the gun when I seen the car and bought it And I sure hope you’re right about the tuneup and all I like to not focus on rebuilding an engine or anything right now and focus on other stuff that I can clean the car up new carpet, new rubber around the windows, etc. cosmetic stuff Thanks for the reply and all the info really helps I’ll be posting my findings when I have somebody look into it a lot deeper
Thanks for the info and knowledge. I’m gonna get a mechanic to look more in depth and give me a better idea on what I’m working with. I’ll be posting my findings soon.
interesting transmission, it's almost as big and heavy as the engine.. clutch and torque converter, column shift into first, lift gas to shift to second, clutch shift lever to third, lift gas to shift to fourth.. (if I remember correctly, it's been 40+ yrs) and that is if it's anything like my '52 Saratoga was.
My cousin and several of my friends were Chevy guys. Back in the mid to late sixties I helped with several small block engine swaps. If you are thinking that swapping an engine in your '51 Chrysler will be as easy as swapping a 283 for a 327, then you are in for a rude awakening. I would try to see what is wrong with the Hemi that is in there now. Knowing that the carb needs to be rebuilt is a starting point. How can you diagnose problems with a bad carb? It may run better than you think with the carb rebuilt.
Regardless this will run into some serious coin if you are not very mechanically inclined. Those old carbs are pretty easy to rebuild, it may be a good point to get your feet wet. If not, you need a mechanic who is familiar with old cars.
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