I just talked to an old friend that has a '57 or '58 Hemi motor and automatic trans that he bought about 8 or 10 years ago. He intended to put it in an old Dodge sedan, but life has gotten in the way and he's going to have to sell the motor. Anybody have an idea what it's worth? Any offers?
Well, if its truly a '57 or '58, then it can only be Chrysler- 331 or 354 (from a Dodge truck), or a 392 Dodge- 315 or 325 Desoto- 341 or 345 Dodge 241's and 270's, and Desoto 276's, 291's, and 330's were done before '57 and '58, at least according to everything I've seen. I would think it's probably not a 331, since even most of the trucks by then should have had 354's or Dodge Hemi's. But the trucks were weird, they did just about everything/anything with them. Now, assuming its a complete engine and not a rusted solid lump of iron, if its a 331, 315, 325, 341, or 345 I'd say its probably worth a solid $500 - $800 depending on condition and options (ie, 2 vs 4 barrel). I've seen them sold complete for under $300 all the way up to $1k, but I'd say those are anomalies. And although I've seen a few listed for over $1k, you can still find them listed on eBay, 'cause they aren't selling. Unless maybe it was a short bell, triple nickel headed 331, but to be out of a '57 or '58 it would be a truck hemi and probably would have truck heads. If its a 354 and not a rusted block of iron, probably from around $1,500. For a 392? Could depend on where it came from (300, Imperial, etc), but the sky's the limit, maybe $2k or more. But all of that depends A LOT on condition, which is why those ranges are so big. And without pictures or a description, its hard to tell.
aircoup, I don't know what size, but he's going to get some numbers to me as soon as he can. As for condition, it turns over and it was running when he bought it 10 or so years ago. moparmonkey, Thanks for the info, I'll see if I can get some pictures and casting numbers asap. Is there a site you'd recommend where I could check the numbers? Thanks again for the information!
If the intake is on it's difficult to read the casting #. There should be a user code on a flat in front of the valley cover.
.....and remember, just like every 283's a Corvette engine and every Y block is a 312, every hemi is a 392. Check those numbers good and ignore whatever he said it was.
OK Guys, let's see what we've got here. I checked the numbers out on one of the sites and it looks like a '51 Chrysler 331. The Casting number on the back of the block is C 1323329-1 The number stamped in the flat in front of block is C51-8-28551 If anybody would liek to comment or make the man an offer, I'll surely pass it on to him. Again... Thanks HAMB!!!
7-800 tops, probably less with the recession. Good to use an adaptor & a newer stick, total pain to try an automatic with the 51-3 long tails.
------------ ---------------- Also check out fellow HAMBER Scott Moseman's "The Hemi.Com" list (www.thehemi.com) You'll find a lot information and knowledgeable "Hemi"people there. Mart3406 ================
Take off the ex mans & see if it has the better oval ex ports or the stock round ex port heads. You may tell from the shape of the manifolds @ the ports. the oval port heads are worth a lot more than the round. Also if the OEM 2 bl intake has been replaced.
That's what I paid for my '52 331. Mine was very complete & also had the cool ceramic ends on the plug wires
'51 331? I have two. The first was a complete, disassembled engine that has a fresh .060" over bore, ready to go. It came with everything to build it from pan to intake manifold, plus 2 original transmissions, bell housings, flywheel, torque converter (fluid drive clunk o matic) and some extra parts. I paid $500 for that one and everything that came with it. The second was a block with mains, crank and cam. Standard bore. I paid $250 for it. That was only a couple months ago. The long bell 331's are probably the cheapest to get vs everything else. If its not stuck, and its complete I would agree that $800 is probably the highest you could reasonably get for it. If its stuck I'd say $500. Unless someone converted it to later heads or a 4 barrel, but even then you're just adding a little value for those parts vs the stockers.
Anybody know exactly what model or size this is, and is it rare? A buddy of mine has it, and I covet it for my self, but he doesn't seem keen on parting with it, so no point offering silly money if they are $500 each on Ebay....
Not worth the bother of dealing with then, as I'd need to source/import all parts from the other side of the world. And that would put the price way over the top. It has been sat there for 25 years apparently, untouched.
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