Help with Hemi deck height

I have a '56 331 Hemi. I have the block in the machine shop now. The figures I have found for deck height says the 331 should be 10.320". My machinist called me today to let me know that the block sits now at about 10.385". That seems awfully tall. All I want is to blueprint the deck height to the correct stock spec and nothing more. I know Chrysler was sloppy with deck heights, but is this much normal? Please let me know if my deck height spec is correct. I think it's right because I've pretty much found it everywhere.....including here in another area. I appreciate any help. Thanks.


Rob

 

Check the stamped number on the front of the block and cross to application. I have been told some truck hemis are unique.

 

I was just lucky enough to catch Bob Walker hisself at Hot Heads. He says the deck height is correct at 10.385, so all I am going to have done is have it squared up. I am glad that I didn't go ahead and knock .065" off. The only number anywhere on the net is 10.320. I'm sure it's right for some things, but evidently not this.

Btw, it does happen to be a truck engine.

 

There is nothing different as far as deck height with truck engines.

 

Ok. So which number is correct? I would like to think Bob Walker would know. He said "10.385" before I had a chance to tell him what mine measured. Does that mean all the info that says 10.320 is wrong?

 

A recently measured 54-331 was 10.308".....

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Then they must be all over the place. That's crazy.

 

My last 331 was squared up at 10.370. You need to have yours decked (trued)... then essentially it is what it is. Then order pistons accordingly.

 

^^^Thats the way we deal with them; the number is just a number.

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Well, I just called him back and told him to square it up where it is. I already have pistons. I got the Egge 55 331 stock replacements. Mr. Waters was kind enough to give me a good deal on some thin Fitzgerald head gaskets, plus, I am having the heads milled .025". It will be what it will be. In the end, I'll probably be dang happy because it will likely run on 87 swill. Thanks yall. Yall are always helpful.

 

When you get the shortblock assembled do a downfill check and let us know what you find, and also cc the heads after you cut them.

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I will. It may be some time though. My wife lost her job on Valentine's day and today is my last day here, so our budget is taking a hit. I guess you're talking about doing a .500" downfill measurement? If not, let me know what you are referring to and I will do it.

 

I was able to get the long block assembled. Here it is in all its blueness. I know it's not an original Hemi color but I love Chrysler blue. It ended being 9.16:1 on compression. I am happy with that.

 

Dang....thats a lot of blue paint. Me like!

 

What is with the timing chain tensioner, never seen that on an early Hemi?


Ago

 

That's from any 3.9 Mopar V6 and some 5.2 and 5.9 later Mopar small blocks. It's a very simple fit on the early Hemi. Since the camshaft hole and one hole already line up, all you have to do is drill three more in line with the other three on the stock cam thrust plate. There are also two oil galleries in the front that are exposed that are normally blocked by the stock thrust plate. I simply found the correct size freeze plugs and knocked them in, then installed the tensioner. You also need to dress the two dimples in the tensioner so the bolts will pull it down evenly in the front. There's really nothing to it. Lastly, just like on a small block, I drilled a hole all the way through the top retaining bolt on the passenger's side. This allows oil from the intake valley to run right on the oil diverter on the tensioner and fall directly onto the crank gear and timing chain.

 

Looking good.

 

Thanks, Mr. Waters. That means a lot comin from you.

 

I painted the heads and set everything back on it including the wire covers.

 

Looks fantastic Rob!

 

The Ford Lima motor, 429 & 460, was 10.300" from '68-'71. Maybe someone posting on the web got the Ford and the early hemi confused.

 

Not to hijack, but here is a tensioner that I modified for an early hemi.

 

Better check the fit on the intake . That angle will change when the deck and or the heads are milled

 

I already have. It's fine.

...and Mr. Waters, you are where I got the idea from. I actually emailed you looking for one, but you said at the time that you didn't have any, so I just winged it.

 

I wonder that myself. Google it. I came up with 10.320 everywhere. Even The Victory Library. I know there are mistakes in everything, but I'm tellin you 10.320 is everywhere as the early low deck Chrysler deck height. I sure am glad I consulted here and called Bob Walker. I don't think it would have ruined it, but I certainly would have had to mill the intake too.