Technical Early Hemi Swap

Hi all,

Does anyone know what the engine bay in '38 Dodge (or similar) will hold and still be able to use the hood and side panels in their factory configuration? Specifically if it will contain a DeSoto 330, but just looking for options for a V8 swap if anyone has any experience with these cars. Thanks!

 

I just put a Chrysler 331 in a '40 Plymouth. I was able to use all the stock sheet metal. Had to weld a couple small pop-outs on the inner fenders to clear the front of the valve covers. Your baby hemi should fit.

 

Awesome, Its all just a pipe dream at this point. I've been trying to secure the car for years (family deal), and the engine is still in its original '56 body in a field. I am confident in getting the engine, (rebuild will be a money suck compared to something like an SBC), but I think the 2 together would be really cool.

Right now I am just trying to figure out what it could look like should my plan come together haha.

 

Back in 1964 we put a Desoto Hemi in a 57 Dodge with no problems.

 

Upon further research the car is a 55, so it is likely a 291.

 

A 291 would be for a DeSoto your valve covers say Firepower and only fit 331, 354, and 392 Chrysler heads. Chrysler. DeSoto, and Dodge were aĺl hemis, but were unique to each car line. My avatar car is running a 57 354 from a 2 1/2 ton Dodge truck. With 56 354 passenger car heads. I learned an incredible amount during the parts search and built of this engine. The 354 was only used in 1956 for passenger car. However the 354 was used in trucks, industrial, and marine until sometime in 1959. I bought a NOS crankshaft for it that carried a 392 casting number. But was indeed a 354 stroke and bearing size. Worked with hemi guru in Marysville Ca. that knew everything and had AT LEAST one of every Chrysler. DeSoto, and Dodge hemi part ever made. He gave me quite an excellent education in those engines. I hope my info helps you.

 

You might be confusing the photos of my '54 331 inn my '40 Plymouth with the author LeoSmall's engine. He didn't post any photos. And I went the other direction from you on my other 331 in my Willys. I bored it 1/8" over making it a 354 then adapted truck heads for the bigger valves and ports over the small passenger ones on '52 engines.