...at least that's what Jimmy White said. Ever since I rode in Jimmy's coupe last year, I've been on the lookout for a early Chrysler Hemi to take the place of the Nailhead in my "forever project" Model A coupe. And with a little luck, I managed to make a deal on one this past weekend. Really, I think it might have been fate. I was walking the Ballpark swap meet a couple of weeks ago with my friend Sam, who stopped to talk to another friend. He was asking him if he had any Oldsmobile stuff, when a guy that was standing nearby happened to overhear his conversation. The guy came up to Sam and mentioned that he had a couple of multi-carb Olds intakes he'd part with if he wanted to come take a look at them. Hearing this, we asked the guy if he might have any other old stuff laying around, and he says "yeah, I also I have Hemi...and I don't think I'm going to do anything with it, so I might let it go." Hmmmm....you don't say... So on Friday Sam and I went to take a look at the Hemi and pick up the Olds intakes. When we got there and I saw it, it was love at first sight. It's a '54 Chrysler 331 out of a New Yorker...it's got new rod and main bearings, a fresh hone, and it's standard bore. The heads and valvetrain look great to boot. As cool as that is, it gets even cooler... Aside from the motor being in great condition and better than I expected, there was also a Cragar 4x2 intake on it with 4 Holley 94s (i put my 97s on it before taking the pics) and 4 vintage cast aluminum scoops. The scoops are older than any I have ever seen. They have the "HJ" logo hand engraved into the inside of each one....they are *****in'!! I also got two Cragar dual point distributors. I've never seen or even heard of another one. How rare are these? They have the Cragar logo and little degree marks cast into the distributor body: I also got a really cool "Sharp" 4x2 fuel block: cont...
And probably the rarest thing I got with the Hemi...this Speed Gems transmission adapter to mount a GM 4 spd on the early (post-'53 anyway)Hemi !! ANd to make it even sweeter, I also got a good Muncie M-20 with a Hurst Compe***ion Plus shifter, a new full gasket set, two sets of plug wires, and a '54 Chrysler Shop Manual. I am super stoked about the whole thing! I need to thank both Jimmy White for his help and advice, and Bob Wilson for both his Hemi knowledge and for helping to get me the stuff I didn't get with the motor....and Bill, the guy I bought it from. He was more than fair and gave me an awesome deal. Here is the car it's going in...bye bye Nailhead, hello Hemi! I'm in the market now for a stick flywheel, 10:1 pistons (331 or STD 354), and a roller cam...if anyone has anything they want to part with.
DAMN ! What a story and score. I'd yank the Nailhead out of my 'A's ch***is tonight if I came across what you did. Congradulations. Glenn
Your swap meet finds are always cool and unique but man, this has got to be the Mother Load! Cant wait to see your new toys. What are you gonna do with that boat anchor nailhead;-)? Congrats!
I'll agree with that. Check out the cool old Eelco sticker on the manifold. Neat! I have a feeling that Dirty2 (Danny) is going to be pissed when he finds out I bought it just a couple of miles from his alternator shop!
I know what you mean... the other day I found these oatmeal cookies that are made with Splenda!!!!! Awesome! 100 mile per hour patch... here YOU come! hc
how the hell do you always score all of this really sweet ****. Thats a damn ***y engine. Thats trans adapter looks like it was made yesterday. Its so clean. i wish i could find half the cool **** your just stumble upon.
If that was me it would have ended up being a Toyota 4 cyl. with a busted crank. I dont know where you guys find all this stuff.
Very nice score. So, have you and Jimmy got any plans for a gruge match when it hits the road? Now that's something I'd pay good money to see. Hell, I'd buy a video if it was 6 out of 10 Frank
when i grow up i want to be Brian B*** that A and that hemi were destined to be together congrats man
Well...I ain't skeered...and I know Jimmy ain't either! I actually have to get off my *** and finish the dang car first though! The good thing is that finding this motor has essentially breathed new life into the project. I'm amped to work on it now! We'll see how it goes when I get it put all together. I'm hoping it'll be around a 12 second car (or better) with some headwork, the roller cam, a bump in compression...and some good rear gears and traction. As far as the Nailhead goes, I also have a '65 Skylark convertible. I think I might put it in there eventually. For now it'll probably just go on a stand....it's a '65 401 out of a Riviera by the way.
*I am not jealous* *I am not jealous* *I am not jealous* Really, I am. Nice find, I'd kill to find a stash of Hemi stuff like that for my pickup...the motor itself is cool, but the stuff that came with it is just amazing!
I love the car. Your bike is killer. The shop is awesome. That hemi is SICK. Even the nailhead is bad. I hate you.
I think you know you have the 'Hot Rod Sickness'... when the sight of 4x2 topped 331 HEMI makes your heart race and breath short!!!! DAMN!! Ritcheous find my friend....
very nice and i thought you where going to brag on the junk you got from me at the swap meet! i told "BOSS" you where at the swap meet and he was sad to have missed ya!
Nice find with lot's of cool parts Brian. I was hoping to see your 27 Roadster hit the streets first, but go with what drives you, I'm sure it will be *****in.
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