'53 hemi

Got a line on a '53 Chrysler 331 hemi, but I hear that the really early hemis had a bellhousing casting that doesn't play well with later model transmissions. One source said the '51 hemis had that funky back end, but he thought the '53 models would bolt up to a torqueflite. Anybody know fer sure???

 

51-53 long bell , sorry, but there is an answer at Wilcap. Hey it's still a hemi !

 

PM gearheadforever, I think he has a early hemi with a 700R.

 

You can do LOT with an early Hemi;....only problem is that you have to pay for it! ...and it usually ain;t cheap!

 

I think the extended bellhousing switched over in mid '54......I can get one for nothing for my next build {'37 Ford pickup} and would like to run a T-5 but am wondering if i would be better off {re: cheaper} running a nailhead, which i'd have to buy

 

I love the look of hemi's and nailheads...hell, run both of em at the same time...hahaha...that'd rock

 

They still make the '51-'54 1/2 Chry - late GM stick adapter, so depending on whether the motors will need freshen up, Hemi might be cheaper.

 

Oh yeah, personally, I'd run the nailhead.

 

I've also got a '53 331. Lots more options now. Wilcap and Hot Hemi Heads both have adapters to run later automatics and manuals. You can run just about any GM manual trans and then you have a few auto transmissions to pick from including the Torqueflite 727. Was going to run this set-up but decided to go manual. The adapter isn't too unreasonable. Not cheap, but if you like Hemi's it's not a big deal. You can do a lot with the early 331's. Just look at Jimmy White's coupe!! Run it man!!!

 

Thanks to snap too and scootermcrad for the leads and the rest for opinions.
anybody on the evening shift got any??? and thanks in advance!

 

The good news is that a flathead six flywheel will work. If you look in an old Schiefer listing, they had one part number for all Mopar applications from 1933-56.

 

Not as many $$$ as you would think.....

 

I HAVE A '52 WAITIN FOR ME TO FINISH UP MY 2 DeSoto's... HAVE AN ADAPTER THAT WAS MADE LOOOONG AGO OUT OF 1/4in PLATE STEEL FOR A '49~'64 FORD 4psd.
DONT BE SCARED, IT DONT TAKE AS MUCH $$ AS YOU THINK.
SEARCH FOR DEALS, THE REAL $$ IS IN MACHINE WORK, AND ITS ALL THE SAME FOR ANY V8......... RUN IT !!!!!!!!!!

 

Hemis without a bellhousing are easier for automatics .I think the last of the bellhousings were late 55,I could be wrong. I have a 1956 354 with a paw adapter and a 700r4 ******. This combo works perfect. Get a paw hemi catologe and the hot heads catologe,this will help alot.

 

All 51-3 were long tails, all 55 & up were short tail. '54...the expensive cars, like the Imperial, were supposed to get the short tail 4bl engine, while the less expensive lines were supposed the get the long tail 2 bl engine.