Technical Early Hemi #2 (354 Hemi build thread)

I’m stopping in Edmonton on the way through tomorrow to look at another set of heads and possibly pistons. Just because a guy can never have too many early Hemi parts…

 

Epoxy first, then cut.

That way anything deeper is good to go.

 

True.

I have stacks.

 

Ah yes the joys of machining.

 

Do you want to know where Fargo COE is in Fort Sask?

 

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No need today, it’s a quick trip, I will be in touch with you in the spring on the truck

 

The truck intake and carbs isn't mine, I just copied the image from a post earlier in the thread.

 

Doh! I’m itching for one now!

 

Bought another set of 354 truck heads…why not?

 

Small update, got all the bearings, the cam bearings came from my local parts store overnight, $80 Canadian so approximately 0.44 US. Still waiting for cutters for the surfacer. Also have a set of ‘58 10:1 392 pistons coming. Cam and lifters go out Monday to be reground.

Oh and my valve parts from Hot Heads made it to a depot and hour from me then UPS lost it….

 

Got the surfacer back up and running at work, got a set of stock 392 10:1 pistons in fantastic shape. Still no parts for the heads, not getting much help from UPS or Hot Heads. Hopefully soon….

 

So not much to update, still waiting for parts….

 

Huge update!!! UPS actually managed to get the parts to me! Still no sign of the first shipment. Let the games begin. Once I have time that is….

 

That's good news! So, waiting on the cutters?

 

Nope cutters are done, I have cut a sample head, now just waiting for time.

 

Ok, you said you were waiting on first parcel, thought that was the reference.

 

Sorry that wasn’t clear, Hot Heads sent the parts and UPS lost them, so Hot Heads reshipped it.

 

Actually got some stuff done after work today,

Swapped out valve guides on one head, did the valve seats. The exhaust were perfect as is, the intake I cut.

I use Prussian blue to see where it’s contacting.
The valve seats are cut with Neway cutters.

 

Everything is numbered so the valves go back to their home, I will lap the valves before final****embly, mostly because it will make me feel better.
Ran the head through the surfacer. This head had a pretty good “twist” to it. Took about 0.004” to straighten it out.

Final product. Next is measure spring installed height and final clean and****embly. Progress at least!

 

Spent some time at work today, got the second head finished, guides installed, touched up some intake valve seats and surfaced it.

assembled the one head,

 

I didn’t have keepers for the second head and I was too lazy to dig around at the college. I’ll take some tomorrow and****emble the second one after work..

 

Found a home in my office for the complete head until I’m ready for it.

 

Now have a matching set. Next is the block

 

Got to working on the block today, my crank guy has the crank ready, I’ll pick it up Thursday.
Block is in the hone, it was already 0.040” over, I am taking it to stock 392 bore size, I have a very nice set of 10:1 392 pistons for it.

 

Forgot the picture….its rough honed to within 0.003”. Tomorrow finish hone.

 

No picture because it would look exactly like the last picture but the block is now finish honed. Picking up the crank today then****embly can begin.

 

Measured all the rods today, everything looks great. Got the block sitting in the surfacer to shave some off the deck…

 

•354 block/crank with 6.625 stroke
•392 pistons, casting number 1732540, dome volume 13cc
•Using 100cc head (typical for 331 heads)
•Using a 0.045" thick head gasket

stock deck height = 8.75c/r
0.010 cut = 8.92 c/r
0.020 cut = 9.09 c/r
0.030 cut = 9.28 c/r
0.040 cut = 9.47 c/r
0.050 cut = 9.68 c/r
0.060 cut = 9.89 c/r

Variables:
•105 cc head will decrease c/r about ½ point which is what is generally what is found when using 354 heads on a pass car block.
•When using a truck block, you would be most likely using the 1954-331 heads.
•Thinner head gasket will raise c/r slightly

Using the 1958 392 piston, casting number 1827804, will increase c/r due to a slightly larger dome volume of approximately 20cc.
Estimate is 0.7 point of c/r based on the 9.25 vs 10:1 factory numbers.
Without actually putting the 58 parts in a block this is my best guess.

The above is a copy and paste of an email conversation I’ve been having with Gary @73RR regarding decking the block to gain a little compression, I have ‘58 pistons so I’m going to take 0.030”-0.040” off to end up between 9.5:1 and 10:1 ish. I appreciate Gary taking the time to educate me!

 

While decking the block you night check to see if both decks are equal distance from the centerline of the crank, and if square front to rear & top to bottom.