Plym only in cars, but used in Poly form in Dodge trucks, if it has hemi heads & is a 259 it's converted. Use code will tell you what original install.
A little addendum to Ray's informative post: while you can change intakes betwen 1954 and up 331, 354 and 392 you cannot do so if you put 392 head on a 331/354 block. You would have to make up spacers to compensate for the hi deck heads. So 392s only work without mods with 392 heads on a 392 block. Plymouth 259 block (1956) is the sleeper setup to get side engine mounts for a low deck 'Dodge' 241/270 as this was the only block in that low deck configuration that had the cast in engine mounts....
You have it ass backwards. You can't use 392 heads on the 331/354 w/o a huge amount of problems. The spacer comes in using 331/354 heads on a 392.
You're right George - on the intake manifold spacer being needed when putting low deck heads (331/354) on a 392 block - at least I got the 392 heads on 331/354 block being a pita. Getting old and confused....
If it hasn't been mentioned already the timing cover between a Chrysler and Dodge hemi are interchangeable.
Bringing this back up for a quick question. I have been reading about hemis and have gotten myself confused. Opinions, please: Do 1953 and 1954/55 blocks interchange? I have found an early hemi Chrysler 331 with the extended bellhousing. I don't think it will clear in the car I want to put it in. So, if I got this engine (1953), could I just find a later, say 1955 Chrysler block with the short bellhousing and use everything else from the 1953 engine on it? Or is this not worth the trouble and should I just hold out for a later engine?
If you can find a '54/'55 331 bare block you should be able to use the components from your extended bell 331 to do what you propose. However, the extended bell engines were widely used over the decades and fitted into many vehicles. The biggest potential problem with extended bell depends on what transmission you want to use behind it. There were many adapters available for manual shift trannies. '32/'48 Ford style, '55 up Chevy, '49 up Ford, early Packard, Early Cad/LaSalle..to name the most common. It is trying to fit a fully automatic that presents the biggest difficulty, but I think even that may have been offered, though I suspect is quite rare.
Thanks Hnstray. I was thinking of putting it in a 32 Ford coupe with a Ford toploader 4 speed behind it. It just looks like that would be a really long bellhousing protruding through the firewall if I used an extended bell block.
It isn't so much the overall length....that is about the same as a bolt on bell to the shorter block.....it's the fact it goes straight back rather than sloping downward/inward from the block to the trans mounting surface. The typical manual trans adapter was either a recessed piece, sort of like a heavy duty pie plate, or a flat plate, to which the trans bolted. It no doubt would affect the shape of the firewall/floor hump to accommodate the block shape, but may be worth mocking up to see if it's as bad as you visualize, if you haven't already done that. I am not advocating the longer block style, I'd prefer the later style block too, I'm just offering suggestions since you already have it on hand.
Well, I have not bought the engine yet. Just checking out the options. I can get a good deal on it is why I was even considering the long bell block. If all I would have to change is the block itself I may get it. But finding another block may be even harder than finding another engine altogether.
The heads can be put on the '54 & later blocks, with a locating dowel change depending on year. Ports are smaller & valves are smaller except for the '54. The oil pan & W/P won't fit '55 & up CAR hemis but will fit truck/ind/marine. Wilcap probably has an adaptor for your ford 4 speed to long tail. Some long tails were made in '54 using the PowerFlight & a flat bell housing. "73RR" has figured out how to do that for use with a C-4, if he ever makes any. You're probably get better results per $ invested by finding a complete 54 or later engine. Of course if you can get the long tail really cheap....
With regards to using all of the internals from a 51-53 331 in a 54 up block...The 51-53 crank is different and the flange will be .2" shorter (closer to the block) than the correct crank would be in a later block. Yes, you could use a spacer on the starter and yes, you could use a 'special' (extra fat) flange adapter if you install a later trans package. Wilcap has manual adapters. George, I got side tracked on the C4 adapter, prototypes are in the shop but not yet ready for prime time. Maybe next year after the 318P intake project is finished. .
Thanks all. I think I will pass on the early engine.As mentioned, probably be money ahead to get what I want to begin with.
Interesting. I've been developing a C4 adapter for a long bell 331 also. I had both lying around and figured why not give it a try. I wouldn't like to compare with his when we are both complete. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
No issues at this end, I quit keeping secrets a long time ago. Of course the flexplate is a bit more complicated... .
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