I've located a 1968 HEMI close to me VERY CHEAP, but have some question about before i hand over any money. I know these motors are physically bigger then their early brethern, but will they still fit between duece rails? Also, i don't think it's too much to think of maybe 450 hp from the thing, will that just be too much for repro rails? And then what are parts like, i don't know what exactly the engine needs yet, but i can't imagine it's gonna be cheap.
Usually about every part is at least twice the price of that in a wedge Mopar-engine. You better check out the engine yourself first, 'cause most of the times it might as well be 'just' an old-style Hemi from Dodge or Plymouth, or even a poly-318... If you were looking for a 426, you might've struck some gold here, but on the other hand, you can also sell this engine again to some MuscleCar-restorer and make enough dough from it to buy yourself 2, 3, 4 maybe 5 '392'-Hemis...
It's physically "pretty close" to the size of the old 331-392s, but that's still ridiculously oversized for a '30s Ford. BB has a good suggestion, to unload that on a date-coding restoration guru and find an early Hemi to play with. There seem to be more fun parts for the old engines anyway, like multi-carb intakes and fancy valley covers, timing covers, etc. that look good on old rods. Also, most 426s that wound up in garages did so because they were used up... and are expensive to fix.
If I remember correctly, it'll have cross-bolted mains. That should verify Hemi vs. Wedge (unless of course it's complete with the heads, intake, etc. If it is, I hate you.) Find the numbers, and contact a Mopar guy named Galen Govier. He has a HUGE registry of mopars, and is generally considered the guru of all things Pentastar. He has re-united several cars with their long-lost original engines. It'd be cool as hell if that '68 block ended up back in its original Road Runner after 40 years. And then yeah, build yourself your dream engine. With some left. As for power in repro frames? Can you really have too much power? Build the frame right with good cross members and box the rails, and it should hold. -Brad
Items to check: rockershafts and rockers, make sure they aren't burnt up or the bushings are loose. Any steel block that has been raced real hard may have broken main webs. The heads have 172 cc. chambers when new. If they've been cut .050, they will measure 166 cc. This is good when attempting to build more compression but require custom pistons. If the heads have had multiple valve jobs and the valves are sunk, they won't make enough power to warrant using them. Check to see if any of the 1/4" bolts that attach the intake to the heads are stripped put. If the crank is really used up it will have cracks that will only show when magnafluxed. Check the lifter bores to see if they've become egg shaped. If the engine looks to be messed with, it would be better to plan on selling unless you have at least 5 grand for a rebuild. The 426 isn't a simple engine. You need to find a hemi guy to supervise the rebuild.
Its biggest dimensional problem over an early hemi is going to be length, I think. It has a big timing case that protrudes in front. Early hemis are remarkably short.
I'm definitely leaning away from using the engine, but for the price he wants i'd would deserve to be drug out and shot if i didn't buy the motor.
Why? Don't get discouraged...the 426 would be awesome in a '60's-style hot rod on Deuce rails. You can for sure build the frame strong enough. I'm planning on wringing slightly over 400 hp out of the little 331 Hemi (actually 342 ci) that is going in my A on deuce rails. Wfo guy has excellent advice on all counts. Rockers cost an arm and a leg for the 426's...check out ebay. Sure it is going to be pretty costly to rebuild it, but it'll more than likely be worth penny that you put into it if you have it machined properly. I'd say go for it!
With many restored hemi cars breaking 100K and more let the resto boys spend the big bucks to rebuild it. Take the money, smile and say thank you! I bought a 69 hemi that was pulled and a 440 put in the car cuz the prior owner just couldnt get it to run as fast as his 440 6pack buddies. It sat in a heated garage all those years. I hate to tell you how much I got for it on Ebay early last year! It went into a RR that sold for $160K not too long ago.
WFO and Bass are spot on... A couple of adds: 1) I wouldn't worry that much about physical dimensions - with the possible exception of length. The 426 is actually lighter (if I recall right) as compared to a vintage unit, but is longer as mentioned. 2) I wouldn't worry about sunk valves in the head - that can be fixed with new seats. Just be prepared to pull LOONG green outta yer wallet; cuttin' metal on a 426 Hemi WILL carry a hefty premium for every component and operation required to build it over a 'mortal' engine. Figure at least 4 grand for the head work - and another 2 grand (min) for the bottom end. $7,500 - $11,000 is a realistic estimate for a hemi rebuild - according to my Mopar buddies. 3) As for HP: The damned things were significantly underrated right outta the box; a 'real' estimate of HP is closer to 550 HP for a 'stock' 426 hemi. A good rebuilder can make one 'appear' stock - and pull 600+ HP outta one, easy. A deuce rail 426 hemi... I knew a guy that drove a Dart hemi; that's the closest parallel. A Dart Hemi could break the tires loose at any speed you cared to go. A deuce rail hemi would have the benefit of lesser brakes and a more flexible chassis - not to mention a better power-to-weight ratio. Like duct-taping yer ass to a motor... Go for it. sounds better than sex.
Sounds like fun. My only concern is that the guys description has it as a race motor with a 13:1 compression ratio, and thats about all the info i have on the thing at the moment. When i get some more info, and see the motor i'll know which way i wanna go, and i'm gonna buy it no matter what. I also took a quickie on ebay, shit those things are going for big money, almost be able to fund a whole project solely off the sale of that ONE motor, but then again it would be a dream engine off my list. I don't know.
Big hemi huh? You still buying my motor? I have told a couple people that were wanting it that it was sold and they have moved on to diff. motors. Let me know what's up...EVILT
As stated before it would be great for a radical '60s draggin' deuce. Kinda big for a casual cruiser. Either way I would buy it just to have. Thats one rare mill and if you end up not using it in your deuce, you'll find the right car for it somwhere down the road. And as far as performance goes, they have 425hp stock so 450 would be easy! Buy it man! -Dean
426 hemi + early Ford = Street Rod. Don't even consider it if you're building a traditional hot rod (that's why you're here isn't it?). If the price is right, either sell it and use the profit to put a 354 or 392 hemi in your early Ford, or buy a '68 Dart or Cuda and put it in there.
I can't think of many street rods with 426 Hemis...come to think of it, none are coming to mind. Maybe they are more plentiful where you live? I agree that you probably could resell the 426 and use the profits to build a bitchin 354 or 392...obviously not a bad way to go either.
The point is, it's a "modern" motor, and doesn't fit a traditional car. It would really look out of place.
Yeah, but how man guys on here use 60's and later sbc in their rods? And the bigger Nailheads were used in the mid-60's. And i know there are some 429/460 ford powered cars on here too.
What he said. Hell, if the price was right, I'd buy it just to say I have it. Put it on an engine stand in the corner of the living room
The 426 hemi is lighter, narrower and shorter than a 392, but longer. They make about 475-500hp in stock trim with a sharp tune. You are basically a cam change away fro well over 500hp. If its a 426 it will have the distributor in the front. That is the easiest way to ID a late hemi. Completeness is a BIG DEAL on a hemi as certain hemi items are incredibly expensive - like valvetrain. Be prepared to drop a couple thou just in the valvetrain. Like someone else said - its about 10gs to rebuild a 426. If its a real 426 hemi and a decent price, pick it up, mag it, and sell it to some high buck restorer for the date code. BTW - I have a 69' Dart that is begging for a hemi if you are going to sell it for a HAMB friendly price I have a friend whos dad has a 426 short block in his basement that he won't sell to me...
Maybe so, but a 426 hemi is a bit different. Later model SBCs looks very much like the earlier SBCs. At least until you get to the ones that have the valve cover bolts in the center. The 426 is completely different from the early hemis. It has the distributor in the front instead of the back, and a bunch of other changes. And in general, it doesn't look at all like an early motor.
I totally understand where you are coming from...and I agree with all that. But I still think a 426 would look killer in a mid to late 60's style car with Americans or Halibrands...and maybe a pair of Mickey Thompson valve covers on the 426. If you aren't trying to veil it as a '40s or '50s or even early '60s style car...then I don't see how there could be anything wrong with that. Late sixties and even early seventies style hot rods are still hot rods to me.
I suppose that's true. I know I've seen rods with 426 hemis, but not more than a handful. Probably has to do with the cost of the thing, and the size.
Ray Stillwell runs a 426 hemi in a 32 sedan.Fwiw he close to 70 ?and should be a hero of hot rodding.Will try to find some pictures.
Not yet unfortunately, still waiting for the seller to get back to me. He got the engine through lien, and thats why it's so cheap. When i get pictures i'll definitely put them up here. My ideas for the car are still the same though, since i was already planning on using a HEMI; A coupe on duece rails, i'm gonna use some newer technology in the drivetrain, so i can still drive the snot out of the thing, but that'll be stuff you can't see.
If it is the race hemi you got yourself a rare engine since those were 750+ HP and had the staggered 4 barrels and solid liftered cam. They were non-street engines. Good find!
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