Technical FOUND A HEMI, WHAT'S IT WORTH?

Really Don't have any specific plans at this point, chance came up to buy a Hemi, got a pending sale on another item and if that goes through will make an offer on the Hemi. Retired & trying to keep busy!

 

Sounds like a plan. Good luck
My plan is to bend up some tubing for a digger and put a blower and a two port Hilborn on my 354 Dodge.
Looks like I will have a flywheel and bell (for a truck) with starter to bolt on one to make it start.

 

In unported form they all flow nearly the same, I've done the testing to verify as well as Gene Adams. Even a Hot Heads casting in as cast form is just slightly better on the airflow side. When ported they are all capable of much different airflow numbers when maxed out. I've got CNC Programs for all of them now for Street and Race applications. The 1955 331 or Triple Nickel is the most sought after mainly because of the port size capability and water ports. The Race Port Program I have for that head will actually fit a multitude of castings and is capable of flowing 400 cfm with a 2.200 valve. The 1954 331 (no water ports), a few of the truck castings, and some of the Industrial heads, this isn't widely known as I'm sharing that info now. The Industrial heads have the exhaust crossover blocked which is optimal vs welding or filling in that passage. Other than that, I can make all of those castings perform the same. This is solely for big power race builds, certainly not the case for most of you.

For a Street Rodder, a 1956 354 head is very good. I have a Street Port Program for that which flows 325 cfm with a 2.065 valve. Not saying you need this just showing that the casting is capable of moving some air if desired. That's enough to support 650hp based on airflow alone. The big thing with this casting is opening up the bowls and widening the pushrod area, the pushrod port width is the real restriction on that head.






The 392 has an upward slope to it. This does affect it's capabilities. I've gotten a 392 to flow 365-370cfm with a 2.200 valve. The Street Port version is closer to 320 cfm with a 2.125 valve. Comparing this to the 354 head you can see how much more efficient a 354 is based on the valve size used.

So my opinion is to use a 354 head in most cases for a Street build. The 331 heads are worth more to a guy racing. 354 are far less expensive and respond to porting very well. Hope this info helps many wondering.

 

Thanks 402, very informative, especially with the pictures, am going to save this in the event I do get the Hemi.

 

Very useful info.

As soon as my next work contract starts, I will be hemi shopping.

Since I am motivating a 2300lb. Model A, a mild 331 or a 354 will be just fine.

A 392 would be cool, but around here, they are pretty spendy.

 

Bought this 392 HEMI for my '34 Ford Five Window Coupe at an Estate Auction for $2,200.

 

For perspective, I just picked up a 354, like above, less the intake, for $1000, and another short block, and a pair of heads, for $400.

That's a fair example of the price difference that 38-cubic-inches induces.

 

Just a reminder, we have a Hemi Tech Index. Link is in my signature line. Lots of good reading there that can help with identification, building, and hopefully fill in some other blanks for you.

Cheers!

 

marine 354's with adjustable rockers mainly good for parts

 

You know what they say...."Find a Hemi pick it up, all day long you'll have good luck."

 

Today, the replacement for displacement is turbocharging

 

Look just in front of the valley cover on the top lip of the block, if the number starts with 58 or the third and fourth digits are 57 it's a 392.

 

Hell no. Swap the crank, and you are in the car game.

 

I think this one's a DeSoto.

 

That is a Chrysler 392.



It lives, to this day.

 

I believe those '55 heads are called triple nickel, meaning cast no. 555, and they were on 331 Chryslers, the one without that extra long casting on the rear of thee block. The earlier 331 Chryslers up to midyear '54 were "long" blocks.

 

Find a Hemi and pick it up, and you will be in the hospital for a couple of weeks.