Early hemi rebuild..What am I getting into?

[MIKE-3137]

Got offered an early industrial hemi, disassembled, and cheap. Not sure of displacement yet as I havent been to the guys house yet. I'm wondering what it cost in comparison to a sbc to build one of these, assuming it'll need the usual bore, crank turning, and head work of a typical rebuild?

Are there any problem areas on the 331-354-392 hemis?
also, you can adapt them to a muncie 4 speed right?

I have a fresh "built" 327/tripower in the roadster, but a hemi would be really cool..

[repoguy]

q: "Early hemi rebuild. What am I getting into?"

a: A whole lot of money. If you're used to sbc prices, you might cry when you see what this is going to cost.

[loudpedal]

[ QUOTE ]
q: "Early hemi rebuild. What am I getting into?"

a: A whole lot of money. If you're used to sbc prices, you might cry when you see what this is going to cost.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep! You'll have to convert the crankshaft to accept a car timing chain just for starters...

Go get "The Complete Chrysler Hemi Book". I forget who the author is (I met him once, you'd think I could remember his name!). It's got everything you need to know in it.

That right ladies... I said Hemi! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

LP

[Bugman]

The Hemi book is by Ron Ceridono, and contains almost everything you'd want to know.

Hemi's aren't cheap to build but they're not the worst either because parts are still reasonably avalible from places like Hot Heads and Ebay. In my opinion, they're worth building just because.

-Jeff

[Gotgas]

[ QUOTE ]
Yep! You'll have to convert the crankshaft to accept a car timing chain just for starters...

[/ QUOTE ]Is this due to the cam being driven directly by the crank, and hence being reverse rotation? This is an unsubstantiated rumor I heard a few years back, I just want to (in)validate it.

[Bugman]

And yes, 4 speed adapters are avalible, but they're much more expensive than the automatic adapters.

[repoguy]

There were reverse rotation motors, but from what I've heard they were primarily used in twin-engine marine applications. Pretty much useless for the street I would imagine.

[loudpedal]

The best reason to convert to the car camshaft drive would be the elimination of the huge, ugly industrial timing cover.

[ QUOTE ]
Pretty much useless for the street I would imagine.

[/ QUOTE ]

I dissagree. The Hemi I run in my Model A is a marine engine.

LP

[MIKE-3137]

thanks, i'm going to track down that book before I go any further.
Loudpedal is yours a 392?

[scotth]

You can get the book at amazon (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1878772015/qid=1090975021/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-0033008-1466245?v=glance&s=books) for $13 bucks.

I have an early Desoto Hemi that I'd planned on running in my A, but it looks like just a basic rebuild kit with cast pistons is about $1700! SBF or SBC would be about 1/3rd that!

I'm leaning towards putting a SBF in mine now (I have enough parts laying around to build one for almost no cash) and then swapping int he Hemi as I have time/money. If I do go that route, I'll make a "universal" engine mount attachment point on the frame so I won't have to do too much hacking later. (I'll mock em both up and see where I am.)

[Just Gary]

I've also begun a Hemi project, having no previous experience other than SBCs.

Look at it this way, If you were paying by the pound, you'd be getting a bargain. My 354 heads weigh 74# each http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

[Stevie G]

Since we are talking Hemi's...........where can I get a water pump for a Desoto Hemi...the little one.

[Jeff Norwell]

......ALOT of $$$$$$$$$.

[Jeff Norwell]

I have a few hemis..my favorite engines.....my A has a red ram and my 32 project has a full=on 392/5 speed/QC rearend drive train....as stated all above....about the cost of a BB chevy.....but the go pedal is worth th kick.

[Jeff Norwell]

2

[Jeff Norwell]

3.....well worth the money