Rebuilding an early Hemi engine
From Crankshaft Coalition Wiki
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | |||
[[Image:early_hemi_bored.jpg|right|thumb|350px|An "Early Hemi" engine being machined at the start of the rebuilding process.]] | [[Image:early_hemi_bored.jpg|right|thumb|350px|An "Early Hemi" engine being machined at the start of the rebuilding process.]] | ||
| Line 29: | Line 28: | ||
There are also dowel pin diameter considerations to deal with as well as mismatched coolant passages in the lower corners with some head/block configurations. As an example, ‘56 low block (354) heads will not easily fit on a ‘54 or earlier low block (331) for these very reasons. | There are also dowel pin diameter considerations to deal with as well as mismatched coolant passages in the lower corners with some head/block configurations. As an example, ‘56 low block (354) heads will not easily fit on a ‘54 or earlier low block (331) for these very reasons. | ||
| − | DeSoto and Dodge heads | + | DeSoto and Dodge heads interchange between high and low blocks without any major difficulty. The differences between the low and high deck heads are combustion chamber, valve, and port sizes. With the DeSoto and Dodge the intake manifold must be matched to the block being used. A low deck manifold is required for a low deck block, and a high deck manifold is required for a high deck block. A cast aluminum 4BBL manifold for the low deck DeSoto has recently been released, and a high deck manifold will follow. Offenhauser has recently re-released a 4BBL manifold for the low deck Dodge. |
*Hemi heads will fit poly blocks of the same family, but will not fit "A" series poly motors. | *Hemi heads will fit poly blocks of the same family, but will not fit "A" series poly motors. | ||
| − | *Chrysler 331 | + | *Chrysler 331 Hemi heads can be used on the 301 and 331 Polys, and 354 Hemi heads can be used on 354 Polys. |
*No camshafts will interchange between low and high blocks of any engine family because of differing lifter bore angles. The incorrect cam can be installed, but the engine will run badly. | *No camshafts will interchange between low and high blocks of any engine family because of differing lifter bore angles. The incorrect cam can be installed, but the engine will run badly. | ||
The low deck Dodge early Hemi (241 and 270 CI) will accept a later small block distributor with no modifications. This may also be true of the other Dodges. | The low deck Dodge early Hemi (241 and 270 CI) will accept a later small block distributor with no modifications. This may also be true of the other Dodges. | ||
| − | + | [[File:331 CID 1951 HEMI BELLHOUSING DETAIL.jpg|200px|thumb|left|331 cid 1951 Hemi bellhousing detail]] | |
==Transmission choices== | ==Transmission choices== | ||
| − | The '51-'53 Chrysler 331's (and some of the '54s) had an extended bellhousing cast into the back of the block, which limits transmission choices. Some outfits have reintroduced adapter kits which allow the GM 4-speed to be bolted to these blocks. These adapters are a welcome addition to the parts bin for many enthusiasts. For years, these extended blocks were considered useless (except for spare internal parts) and many of the blocks were trashed by shortsighted hot rodders. DeSoto, Dodge and Plymouth never produced Hemis or | + | The '51-'53 Chrysler 331's (and some of the '54s) had an extended bellhousing cast into the back of the block, which limits transmission choices. Some outfits have reintroduced adapter kits which allow the GM 4-speed to be bolted to these blocks. These adapters are a welcome addition to the parts bin for many enthusiasts. For years, these extended blocks were considered useless (except for spare internal parts) and many of the blocks were trashed by shortsighted hot rodders. DeSoto, Dodge and Plymouth never produced Hemis or Polys with the extended bellhousing. |
In '54, Chrysler fell in line with its other divisions and introduced a more conventional bellhousing design, making the installation of modern GM and Chrysler automatic transmissions much easier. However, adapters are still required; they're available from several sources, but be prepared to pay between $300-$400 for a good one. | In '54, Chrysler fell in line with its other divisions and introduced a more conventional bellhousing design, making the installation of modern GM and Chrysler automatic transmissions much easier. However, adapters are still required; they're available from several sources, but be prepared to pay between $300-$400 for a good one. | ||
| − | + | <br style="clear:both"/> | |
==Cylinder heads== | ==Cylinder heads== | ||
Hemi cylinder heads were cast iron, as were the intake and exhaust manifolds. 2 bbl. and 4 bbl. versions were available while the high performance line usually had a dual 4 bbl. low rise manifold equipped with early Carter WCFB carbs. | Hemi cylinder heads were cast iron, as were the intake and exhaust manifolds. 2 bbl. and 4 bbl. versions were available while the high performance line usually had a dual 4 bbl. low rise manifold equipped with early Carter WCFB carbs. | ||
==Hemi parts suppliers== | ==Hemi parts suppliers== | ||
| + | *[http://www.egge.com/ Egge Machine Company] American Made Internal Engine Components | ||
*[http://www.hemi.com.au/ American Hemi Speed Centre] (Australian Hemi parts supplier) | *[http://www.hemi.com.au/ American Hemi Speed Centre] (Australian Hemi parts supplier) | ||
*[http://www.hemiengineparts.com/ Chuck Taylor's Hemi Engines and Parts] | *[http://www.hemiengineparts.com/ Chuck Taylor's Hemi Engines and Parts] | ||
| Line 53: | Line 53: | ||
*[http://www.earlyhemiengineparts.com/ PAW Early Chrysler Hemi 354-392 engine parts] | *[http://www.earlyhemiengineparts.com/ PAW Early Chrysler Hemi 354-392 engine parts] | ||
*[http://www.willysreplacementparts.com/1951_58chryslerhemiparts.html Willys Replacement Parts] (1951-58 Chrysler Hemi engine parts) | *[http://www.willysreplacementparts.com/1951_58chryslerhemiparts.html Willys Replacement Parts] (1951-58 Chrysler Hemi engine parts) | ||
| − | + | *[http://blackmountainhemi.com/ Black Mountain Hemi] | |
==Resources== | ==Resources== | ||
| Line 66: | Line 66: | ||
[[Category:Engine]] | [[Category:Engine]] | ||
[[Category:Good articles]] | [[Category:Good articles]] | ||
| + | [[Category:MOPAR]] | ||
Your Privacy Choices