The first Chrysler Hemi was built in the 40's and had 2500 HP... A**** engine builders that have real experience note that the stock mid to late 1950's Hemi's have a bottom end good to about 1000HP. Please send pictures of those SBC engines in Funny car and AA fueler dragsters at the racetrack. It's OK if you can't afford a Hemi. Just like in High School, not everyone can be one of the cool kids. https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/new...&cvid=69aa2bae268d46698248e92b62a41b13&ei=132
How little you know of my finances. Bought my first 392 in 1976 when I was a junior in HS. Bought and sold a version of every size factory produced Chrysler DeSoto Dodge engine made including a few 426's. I don't build I facilitate for those who do. As far as the cool kids in HS goes I wasted no time on on trying to be cool. For those who felt it was important to be in that category that is fine. Being a introverted loner my time has always been spent on what I deem important to me. I have always been indifferent to being part of the 'Cool' crowd. I just figured that the cool kids thing was just a HS situation that as we matured that would become part of the past. Apparently I was mistaken. Getting back to the Hemi/SBC discussion, any hot rodder will acknowledge the stoutness of the Hemi engine. In 1969 a 350 engine producing 350 HP could be ordered from Chevrolet in the Corvette Adding 150 HP especially with todays technology is not unrealistic. It is also cost efficient due to the popularity of the engine. Ergo the crate engine. Can 150 HP be added to the 354 including a engine rebuild and be around the $5500+ crate engine cost? That is my question. Before the comment of "If you have to ask"....yeah I could but as stated I don't build.
Pure Hell used SBC until 67/68 Then switched to Hemi 392 ,& I would think stroked to 415-420 inch . I do not know if weight break before 67-8 was the reason Rule wise or just Sbc lighter then Hemi into 67-8 I would say Sbc Not strong enough the reason for switch , Then there was BBc based Fc & altered Fords also took a pock @ challenging the Mopar Hemi . Since mid 80's most where just Mopar head design for Alky & Fuel. & I wonder why the Chrysler corp did not challenge the R -R V12s with the V16 for record set in 1935 Sir Campbell Or 1948 record ? Mobile
I would favor the HEMI with the aluminum heads. The cost is a relative thing. To the homeless man it may seem to be a huge sum of money. To the well-heeled it may seem to be just lunch money. Stay in your comfort zone. Ron
In add I donot see Rocker in bolt on ? Good set 3k plus All these crate engines most have mid grade parts , Most want nostalgic , well vintage parts are $$ , & good parts needed . If I wanted to build 360 ish Hemi 11-1/2 plus static compression Carbs Pump gas 91 or 87 with meth under carb & where I could retard or Avance distributor , theres ways to do mechanical cable & spring hooked to distributor or small hidden devices & hidden msd , with thinking this can be done . Hemi head needs compression to have benefit of the head NA . & @1946caddy You mention bring video , as in ? Unless you are like under 30 you all to know Film was not cheap 50-80's & If I am thinking you want proof Personal Video home move camera Even Rarer for average person . The Pure Hell was a sbc 62 - 67/68 . Watch Funny Car Summer filmed 73 ? Bbc & Fords Al Hoffman son last year running Bbc style engine in Nostalgic funny car & others
Also unusual MFI set up , I do not recognize, like a pre Enderle shower head Hillborn ? When I try to Zoom in becomes too blurry
I said SBC because when you're out in the middle of the desert with a broken rocker or bent pushrod the chevy parts will be much easier to find.
Has the OP even been back to ‘discuss’ options or answer questions once thread was started or is this a ‘fill’ thread?
When I broke down in the Nevada desert when my Chevrolet alternator blew apart, I didn't see anyone selling parts such as rocker arms, push rods or even alternators for my Chevy. My daughter in law drove 4 hrs from Las Vegas with a new alternator.
If you where near or in any small town good chance there was a chevy sitting around not running to ask owner to rob or buy part , Chevy sb like a mail box 90% are around . All you mentioned, last year AutoZone still had single stamp rocker & push rod on shelf even the stamp steel self aligning rocker & even oem style roller cam push rod in signal. & A Alternator hard to believe not a 1969 - 88 gm off pretty much 4 banger to BBC Not on shelf. I one time lost fan belt used 1/4 hose with barb just tight enough to spin water pump
Are Hemi's cool and do they look great? you bet they are! Does it take Kings ransom to build a Hemi right? You bet it does! Will it be as reliable as a sbc and as fast as a sbc? sadly no. Just my honest opinion. HRP
More expensive, yes, although I certainly wouldn’t say a kings ransom. Why are they not as reliable? I fully intend to drive mine everywhere.
To be honest, it would be a lot less work to put a Cadillac 500 in that car. I know someone who has a complete one sitting in the back of the shop.
And it's real nice piece of eye candy too! id keep the 34 as is it's pretty car and put the hemi in say a '54 Dodge pickup that would be fun dropped no air bags with dog dish steelies sleeper truck. I've seen it done to the round shape stud pickup was cool. Not a twin at the car show .
A fellow club member bought a early a Hemi that was said to have been rebuilt and the previous owner had sank over 15,000 bucks in it, he got in a bind and pulled it out of a 32 5-window and sold it for half the original build price/ it seems the engine has a noisy tick. The engine has less than 3000 miles, IMHO that's not what I would call very reliable, again I'm not knocking Hemi's I just can't aford them. HRP
I have probably $5000 Canadian tops into my 354. Some stuff is more expensive than other motors. If it had a tick or a noise it’s not a reliability issue, it’s an engine builder issue. Don’t think I’m trying to argue, I’m not at all.
I've never heard of a story of someone buying a used motor that was claimed to be rebuilt and was lied to. And I believe those guys in Mexico that roll up their sleeve and have twenty Rolex's on their arm and claim they're real for the bargain price of $100.00 A noisy tick after being rebuilt tells me that whoever rebuilt the engine didn't know what they were doing or lied about the quality of the rebuild. To rebuild a stock 1954 Chrysler Hemi with 300 HP that didn't need new pistons. crank turned or reground cam shaft would run about $2000-3000. What gets crazy on the Hemi with the optional parts that we like to put on an engine that it really doesn't need. I was quoted $750-1500 just to chrome the valve covers alone. Kind of like going to the car or truck dealership ad looking for a new vehicle. Two vehicles parked next to each other, same make and model but on is $20,000 more with all the ad Ons. The original poster can just make up a sign to place next to his car telling everyone what's in his SBC wither it is or not and put a sock in his pants, and park next to the Hemi powered cars that will draw the crowd.
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