Looks like a later 331 (54' or 55'). The extended bells were from 51' to 53'. 354's and 392's I believe both had the water outlets on the front of the heads and this motor has the water coming through the intake manifold not the front of the heads. Lots of rust, but Hemis are brutes! Definitely worth taring down and checking out! Great find!
Yeah, that was funny. We'd just been talking tail lights on the way to the farm. I spot these and get pretty excited. Me "Hey cool tail lights! Gimme a screwdriver!" Jstorm "Oh yeah, I knew I forgot something" Me "Waaaaahhhh" Jstorm "Here, I have a dime - quit crying!" Luckily the screws weren't stuck and the dime did the trick. Thanks to Corey for taking me out there, but who goes on a junkyard crawl with NO tools???
Also, take a look at the PAW early hemi site for more goodies: http://www.earlyhemiengineparts.com/ No matter what, you didn't waste your time pulling that thing outta the mud, if you feel you didn't pay too much for it. Call Bob Walker at Hot Heads and tell him your story. He's a great guy and he genuinely gives a shit. STONER
I don’t want to be accused of posting erroneous information but it looks pretty similar to my ’56 Desoto 330. Sorry I don't have a better pic.
Sometimes they call them JUNK yards for a reason. Blast it and paint it use it for a coffee table. Just my 2 cents
We tried to use the dime for another find but it didnt do well. They had 2 full shops there if we needed tools, i just forgot since was excited about going. Even if the hemi turns out to be junk maybe he can salvage someparts and has a cool story to tell.
I echo your thoughts!!!! HOWEVER just because an early Hemi has a 1958 year code DOES NOT automatically make it a 392 - which one might be lead to think by reading the aforementioned post. The 354 while started in 1956 were also made thru 1958 so a 1958 date code only means it MIGHT be a 392 - no guarantee. You'd have to measure the deck height to be certain (without knowing all the serial numbers by heart). Pretty easy to make a post to be helpful and muddy the waters - isn't it EDIT: Actually - I believe I goofed - I believe the 354's were actually started in 1955 not 1956 like I previously said - oops !!!! I guess that darned 1% bit me in the kester too!!!
No doubt it is worth taking, just have had too manny buddies get stuck with boat anchors. Not being negative just trying to be funny. Shane T.
The '54 is solid at front of the heads & has a thermostat housing at the front of the intake. I don't see a housing on the intake & the pump looks like it bolts to the heads.
Lets just say for the price he got it at and the other parts we found they included in that price it is worht it. They had a boat out there too so if it is crap we get the boat and have a hemi anchor.
Probably not what you are looking for but a good read anyway. http://victorylibrary.com/mopar/hemi-c.htm Dawg
If she is a 331 dont panic if the cylinders are rusty. Chrysler cast those blocks so thick boring .125 over isn't unheard of. If you go from a stock 3.81 bore to 3.94 you could use stock 354 pistons. Just remember that every block is different, so sonic test the block before borind. Good luck and nice score.
Finally got this beast home and ran the numbers. According to classichemi.com it's a 1955 model 331, and is the 250 HP version with 8.5:1 compression. I'll get some pics up when I get into it. Thanks to those who posted all the good info!
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