Technical desoto hemi info please

Hi, a guy has a Desoto hemi 1955 for sale that i might go have a look at, is it like the Chrysler hemi, extended block in the early years, anything to watch for. is this any thing good . He doesn't know the size. I have never seen one around here yet. i will get photo when i go see it

 

1955 will be a low deck 291. desoto never had an extended bell. the pattern will be the same as the dodge and non-extended bell chrysler.

 

a 291 number will start with an s21 or s22

 

Hemi Tech Index start reading

 

I did read a little, did not find what I was looking for, had limited time to spend on computer leaving in morning to try and hook up with him.

 

The use code should be on a flat in front of the valley cover. Watch for cracks around the freeze plugs.

 

silent rick and George know what they are talking about. Sometimes, if the freeze plugs were not removed, there could be a long crack running above the oil pan flange on the block and parallel to the pan flange. Good luck. Hopefully, it may be an s23(2bbl 330ci) or an s24 (4bbl 330ci). These were the first highdeck DeSotos and were built in '56. Very good engines.

 

First, define good.
If you want one, and you can afford the price then it might be 'good'.
The 291 is a decent engine, a few had a 4-bbl intake which is generally more valuable than the rest of the engine...
With proper cam and compression they make for a spirited 300 inch engine.
Really, not too many 'cons' with the DeSoto engines as long as you remember the displacement and not expect mega torque.

.

 

I believe the Desoto never had an extended block. The Desoto has the least amount of aftermarket speed parts.


Ago

 

that might be true where old vintage parts are concerned but more and more parts are currently being made for these motors. 6x2, 4x2 and 4bbl intakes are now being made for the desotos.
weiand made dragstars and 4x2's and edmunds made a neat 2x2 intake. still going to need custom pistons to make any compression. i love them 291's.

 

Only the 51-3 & some 54 331 Chrs had extended blocks. Period. The comment that there is less hop up parts for the Desoto than the other 2 is correct, but there is more stuff now than in the past.

 

wasn't able to see it the last time I went, he is 3 hours away. might go down this weekend. he want's 1000. I was looking to pay no more than 500 for a desoto. I am more interested in a Chrysler engine, but will pick up any hemi for the right price, I am just stocking them for now, never know when ya might need one.

 

Aint nothing wrong with a Desoto Hemi! Love to finish my blown 330 - and itchin to get it machined but it will have to keep for now....

 

more info on your intake?

 

Rick, the thread listed below has all the info for Rat Bastards intake. I have one also and they are a nice piece.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=218550&highlight=new+zealand+desoto

 

I just got this casting back from the foundry. I still need to have it machined. It will mount Weber or Del Orto to tall deck Desoto (330-341-345). I still need to make the core boxes for the slightly smaller low deck Desoto (276-291). I included a boss to machine for Bosch fuel injector and of course it would be easy to tap for nitrous system.

 

I am so glad I stumbled on this thread. I have been looking for a manifold to run 4-2 barrels on a 330. How much do you plan on selling them for?


So many projects..so little time

 

For me these were a labor of love. No way I can make any money doing this even if I don't factor in the time I spent making molds. I figure I will make an extra set of castings and list them on e-bay the reserve price being $400 which is what the foundry is charging me. If there is
enough interest I will cast a few more sets or make the core boxes to cast the smaller 276-291 heads.

 

If you are dead set on an early Hemi, you will be way ahead to find a 315 or 325 Dodge. They weigh less than their DeSoto counterparts and speed equipment is still somewhat available for them. Not so for any DeSoto. I had a '56 DeSoto 330. A 325 Dodge weighs 60 lbs less with 5 less cubes but aftermarket parts more available. Goodluck however you go.

 

I built this car years ago. The motors look cool, and parts are expensive. This one had stock compression. It seems to me high compression pistons were around $800.00 at the time. I always regretted not buying the pistons.

 

Lazarus come forth! Almost 7 year old thread yet I......can't.........resist...........responding
There are plenty of speed parts for 330 Desotos and their little brothers including 2x4 intakes and internals.
I went the custom piston route upping the CR to 10:1 and it snarls! Custom grind on the cam, other that everything was purchased on line from Hot Heads. I've built more expensive engines.
The pic aint great as it is cluttered up under the hood of the truck. The OP bought one 7 years ago so my advice to the folks thinking about it that just saw the thread resurrected...just do it!

 

Hothemiheads makes a new four barrel intake for Desotos, unfortunately, it looks....new.

 

Being smaller than a Chrysler, it fits nicely without firewall mods in my pickup (and Bandit Billy’s), thanks to Hot Heads front cover and SBC water pump.

 

My steel '32 with 341" Desoto and the OD version of the A833 4 speed. Works great.

 

What sort of adaptor do you have to fit the 833 trans?

 

My 1956 S24 330" Desoto in my 36 Ford pickup. It has a new Hot Heads aluminum dual plane hi-rise 4 barrel intake manifold.

 

Nice 32 Fargo36, what is that dual carb intake on your tall deck Desoto?

 

Any adapter that mounts the Mopar A-LA bellhousing....
There are some variations with regards to front bearing retainer diameter so not all bells and trans mate directly. Additionally, there are two different flywheel diameters that dictate which bell......
Plenty of details on my web page: Flywheel | Quality Engineered Components