Technical Yeah, Its got a Hemi/41 shop truck

Since you are located in SW Wash you might know or, know of, Earl Floyd (Earl Floyd Engines, Battle Ground). If so, you should talk with him since he is a DeSoto Hemi kinda guy.

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I have never talked to Earl but you are the second person to recommend me do so. I live in Battle Ground as well. I think I will call him now.

 

Nice score! New wrist pins in used pistons is interesting.

 

Right? Someone went to a lot of trouble to clean those pistons and rods and install new pins. I did order some new head bolts, main bolts and a new set of rod bolts/nuts from Hot Heads. Might as well put it back together right and tight.

SPOILER ALERT: Hot heads did say they were working on a new intake that is a dual plane that will be adaptable to run 2 X 4s or 3 X 2s. He said to call back in a coupe of months.

 

A common trick is to drill a .050 hole in the inner plug to help oil the cam/int shaft gears. Have you checked out the hemi tech Index?

 

^^^^I have now, what an amazing resource! Thanks George

 

Look at your stock intake manifold. The manifolds are all the same, 2bbl & 4 bbl. The large surface can be bored for four, and a plate used. (but a 330 should already have a 4 bbl)
Think long and hard about those flat top pistons! The hemis (DeSotos and Chryslers mainly) were over-estimated at the factory so used low compression as a 'low octane' user. Some 10:1 pistons are the biggest H.P getters there are in these.

I bought a disassembled '55 DeSoto hemi for my tub, $200. Great shape, new stuff galore. (valves, springs, rod & main brgs) Engine is well worth building, my roadster has a 354 Chrysler with lots. Love those DeSotos!

 

Low & high deck intakes don't interchange on DeSoto. At least on the low decks the advertised C/R tended to be optimistic.

 

So this is a S23 stamped Desoto, from my research the S23 was a 2 bbl, S24 was a 4 bbl and S24A was 2 X 4 bbl. Now I got that off the internet which also gave me my lucky lotto numbers for last nights drawing...just sayin.

Maybe I should source a set of higher compression pistons while I am at it. Maybe ill do some research. Or I could use these and add a little huffer . If that new manifold does what hot heads say I should be able to use a blower adapter on it. Nothing says lovin like a good blow...never mind.

Also from the interwebs, the S21, S22 were short deck blocks, the S23 and later were tall decks. I know just enough to make a fool out of myself when it comes to this engine.

 

Nice. subscribed

 

If you haven't cleaned the lifter bores yet, you might try a shotgun bore cleaning brush.

 

since I didn't need the HEMI for a project right now and the fact that my garage is a blast furnace for the last 2 weeks I made a managerial decision to do nothing until the temp drops around here. I'll keep that shot gun bore cleaner in mind though.

 

Back in the days of full floating wrist pins you always put oversize pins in when you did a overhaul.. I worked as a automotive machinist from 1954-58 and did hundreds of oversize pin jobs. We also recut top ring grooves wider and used a spacer to get the groove back to a standard width. We also knurled piston skirts to compensate for wear. The limits for cylinder wear wear were .012" and most ring manufactures said there rings would work in that much taper.

 

Damn BB you out scored my find of my 55 Chrysler 331, way to go!!!!! Just FYI mine was completely rebuilt (with receipts, talked with rebuilder a Chev. certified GM mechanic), with B&M 727 torqueflite for $2500.00 out the door. Runs sweet, holds 50lbs oil pressure at startup and goes like the preverbal raped ape. Man keep us updated on how it comes along, I LOVE these HEMI's.
Hey I've got a half brother in Castlerock you any where near there? I love to come meet ya.

 

Castlerock is an hour up the super slab from here. I am as close (geographically) to Oregon as a Washingtonian can get. Looking forward to putting the hemi together. I got lucky on wire covers from @Gotgas he shipped them to me the other day and they are exceptional! Gotta love the HAMB! Now, who has a blower manifold?

 

Us "loyal" Oregonians like it that way too!

 

Agree about not using the old harmonic balancer, Hot Heads or some other Mopar specialist may have a replacement. If not, there used to be a company with an online wed site that rebuilt them for lots of different engines. If I can find it again, I'll post it here

 

Yeah, the guy at Hot Heads said it was not worth using the old one. I will order a new one from him but I need to decide on the front cover first. Their front new cover accepts a SBC water pump and shortens the motor by 3 inches due to the short pump BUT you must use their pulleys on the front of the motor, they are billet but could be painted or polished to be more friendly.

For now, until I find the appropriate project truck I think I will leave the front decision to another day and leave the balancer off as well.

 

If you only had a football team.

 

If we did and it was on TV I'd go mow the lawn instead, and I hate mowing the lawn.

 

Billy, just what kind of Project Truck are you looking for?
The Wizzard

 

I typed this response at least 4 times and kept deleting it. I originally though early truck that I could run without hood or fenders. But then I think a F100 from the 50's would actually be drivable as a daily with enough work and I'd sell my 06 SWB. A Plymouth would be cool cuz it would have a HEMI in it and that seems right at home. I have no clue I guess is my answer.

 

This is an excellent quote! I agree fully and I don't even own one of those mower things you speak of.

 

Appears we think a bit alike. I'm in the middle of Paint on my Hemi powered 53 F-100 right now. I have a 40 Ford truck that is currently a cast off so I can stay focused. Haven't put it up for sale yet but probably should.
The Wizzard

 

PM a pic of that 40. the 53 F100 has an excellent engine bay for the hemi. A SBC looks so, well...small in there. The Hemi fills it up nicely!

 

New pistons might not be the worst idea, you can get some compression, get rid of the ridge and that gouge. You can lose some rotating weight as well. On my 392 build with stock rods and KB pistons I lost half a pound per slug vs the stock pistons.

Might be worth cleaning up the ports in the heads, they are pretty rough as cast and some mild work looks to pay off pretty well. This is also something I’m doing with my 392.

 

38 Mopar -Fan here on the HAMB makes and sells new design and fresh cast intakes for Desoto Hemis.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/manifold-for-the-raised-block-desoto-hemi.218550/

 

as does Gear Drive Vendors with their 6x2 intake

 

You can use any Mopar balancer (LA is better choice) with a stepped key, or if you rebroach the hub.
PowerBond is a good choice and reasonably priced.
Give a shout if/when you want to price forged pistons.
On the DeSoto engines, an LA fuel pump is a direct interchange.

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What are my auto trans options? Can I install a 4 speed auto/OD trans? I am considering a project vehicle already and I would likely go automatic in this one.