I just bought a 291 desoto hemi and I am thinking about using the 291 hemi in my 28 A coupe, but would like to know some first hand info on them. If you are running one now in your hot rod or have run them in the past, I am just wandering if they have good power in stock form and what are the best mods to make to them? I am wanting to run 4 strombergs on it, and I did see that the stock compression is really low. I would really like some info from people that have had first hand experience.
A Hemi's a Hemi...they will all produce good HP per cubic inch with the right compression and camshaft. DeSoto parts are a little higher than the big Chrysler's but not enough to make you abandon your project. You need to talk to Bob Walker at Hot Heads... An "A" is the perfect platform for a DeSoto...I've got two to choose from for my future Deuce project.
Other than speed parts being more costly and harder to find, they can be midified the same way as any other early Hemi. The same performance tricks still apply.
We have the patterns to build you a sheet metal tunnel ram or a log set up for them, if you get that far and use one.
I have a 291 that I'm putting in a 29 coupe also. I've been collecting parts for it for at least 10 years now. Finding go fast goodies has been tough and exspensive. If you find an intake of any multiple carburation to fit the 291, you better buy it, because it might be awhile before you see another. Trans adapters are the same as other hemis, and distributors from a 318 can be made to work by lengthening the shaft. But for the most part the early desotos are on thier own. Good luck in your search.
Go here. http://www.lakeheaders.com/ this guy makes log intakes and headers...... as said....speed stuff is $$$$$ and hard to find....but what a killer ride it would be!
Hey thanks for the link Brush, I just emailed them about an estemated production date for the y-block u-fab, since the last edelbrock one on ebay topped 600 and I want to run a 4x2, and there were no production cast 4x2 y-block setups. Drew
I saw that vintage speed is starting to produce a cast aluminum intake with 4 2 barrels in a straight line, for the desoto. Hot heads is making a adapter to put a SBC distributor in the desoto hemi for $ 16.00
I have a 291 that I am eventually going to put in my 31 A. Money is the limiting factor for me, so a chevy is going in first to get it on the road. Cams are hard to get for the desoto. All that you can do for a performance cam is regrind the stock one, which has its problems. They originally have a wide lobe seperation angle (LSA) something like 120 degrees, they can only regrind them to about 114. Also, because there simply isn't enough material on the cam you can't get that high of lifts. If a large cam isn't what you want then it isn't a problem. I do want a large (insanely large, actually) cam. I was lucky enough to find a solid roller cam (billet) made way back when. It is to say the least, huge......325 degrees total duration. Pistons are another stopping block. Stock 291 is 7.5:1, a 330 (same pin height and bore) is 8.5:1 so if you want a little bump with some stock type pistons use 330's. They run about $350 a set. If you want the compression like I do, then Ross makes forged slugs for whatever compression you want ($800 a set). Intake manifolds are hard to get, but getting easier if you don't mind a u-fab style log manifold. Low-deck desoto 4-brl intakes are hard to get and will run 150-200 bucks. Not to mention everything else is expensive, bearings, gaskets, etc. There is a front cover being made now that accepts a SBC water pump for about $200. So, basically they can be a reasonable engine to build if you want a semi-stock hemi. Anything more and they get really expensive.
Personally I wouldn't take one of those intakes from Charlie even if he shoved a $100 in each of the barrels. Do a search on him and you'll see what I mean.
charlie has promised that intake for like what, 3 or 4 years now? don't hold your breath is all i have to say. i gave up calling on it 3 years ago
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