Was wandering through an old boneyard...found a hemi...

Hello -

Found out about an old boneyard about 2 hours from my house, finally got a chance to visit. Scored a solid seat frame for my '57 Chevy 3100, and the proceeded to wander around for over an hour. Came across a mid-50s Dodge dump truck in the woods (D600?), lifted the hood, and saw those huge valve covers with spark plugs sticking out from the center. I have zero experience with hemis, so I have no idea what the engine was, although it did have a 2 bbl carb on it, and it appeared to be complete. The truck had some small trees growing through parts of the ch***is, so the engine had probably been sitting for more than a few years, and was probably stuck.

What size hemis did Dodge use in their mid-50s trucks? Is that type of engine buildable/desirable? If I can get it for, say, $500 - $750, would it be worth it to resell, for parts, or to build?

Yeah, I know, not a ton of information, but any direction from the Chrysler/Hemi gurus would be helpful.

Thanks...

Chris

 

Big Al would know, and may want it for a bebuild core, he is just a half hour ride up in Gaylordsville. Bob

 

Should have a number on the front top of it just ahead of the valley pan that will tell you just what it is. Could be a Dodge or a Chrysler.

 

That motor will cost at least $2500 $3500 + to rebuild.
Would look real nice in a small T or Roadster though.

 

Could be a 316.5 cu. in. Firedome engine.

 

If its not seized up solid, most guys would pay a bit more for it.

 

I scored one out of a 1956(?) Dodge pickup and it turned out to be a 270.
the owner said it had sat for over 30 years. After getting it home I decided to see if it would run. With it sitting sitting on the floor I put 2 new sets of points in the distributer, poured some gas if the carb and it fired after rolling over less than a half dozen times. After starting it a half dozern times it now does not smoke and holds 60 lbs. of oil pressure. i'm looking for just the right home for it.................maybe a mid 50's Chevy pickup.

Frank

 

Could be a 354 Chrysler. The Ramchargers set records with a 354 truck block in the late 50s. They didn't go looking for it, that was what they happened to have.

 

Big Dodge trucks used the Chrysler motor in the mid to late 50's. I picked up a 354 out of a 58-59 Dodge dump truck. The one I got is a 354 block. but it's only bored as a 331. It seems that was the plan for the larger service trucks. Plenty of meat to punch out larger. Truck motors also used different pistons (less compression), and the heads have sodium filled valves. Paid $400.00 for mine before i learned the difference between car & truck. I'd do it again in a heartbeat, but don't think I'd pay much more than that.

 

To answer your question, it is impossible to give any real info without the numbers off the engine.

 

Unless Al personally owned the truck in question, he can only guess, like the rest of the people on here.

 

I have a '55 3 ton with a 270 Dodge engine. The Dodges don't have side mounts, they mount off the water pump. Great engine though, I'd grab it up.

 

I did the same thing. I looked under the hood of a '58 Fargo garbage truck and there was a 354 Hemi hiding under the hood.
That's a great find. I paid $500 for that one and it was complete but seized.

 

That would rule, Frank!

 

???? what the HELL are you talking about??? desoto never made a motor near that size, and stock wise, NO desoto ever came in anything other than a desoto...

 

just wanted to add I've got a 1954 270 with the aircooled trans. and also looking for a cool project.