I have a lead on what is suppose to be a 392 hemi 2 barrel carb engine that was originally in a 50's school bus. Not knowing much about hemis ,could it be a 392? I don't have the numbers to look up at this time so I thought I'd ask. I was interested in the motor to put it in a 32 pickup later on, so I thought I'd see what I could find out. Thanks Mark would it be a good engine to to go thru and use in a hot rod?
Only 10% of Hemi's had four barrels so the numbers are the only sure way. I had seven Hemi's at one time, each one I was told they were 392's . None were but I bought them all. For less than the original asking price. Your 32 would look as good and drive better with a smaller, lighter Dodge 241,270,315,325, even the DeSoto's medium size 276, 291, 330, 341, 345 weigh less than Chryslers 331, 354, 392.
So far as I know, ALL 392 Chrysler Hemis had at least one 4 barrel carb and some/all 300C & D had two 4 barrels. Beyond that, I believe you will find that the engine, being in a school bus and having a 2 barrel carb, is either a 315, 331 or 354 cubic inch engine. IIRC 392's were not factory installed in truck chassis or used as Industrial engines. The engine code, just behind the water pump on the block surface, next to the leading edge of the valley cover, will determine it's model/displacement Nonetheless, if it is a hemi, it's worth getting. Ray
Most 392s arent! From '55 on all Chr car hemis were 4 bl & almost all of the 54. The 10% 4 bl was about the DeSoto hemis. As was stated the School bus would have had a truck version of the Dodge or Chrysler Hemi. Put Hemi Tech Index in search & start reading about the differences
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