I’m building a 1925 dodge coupe , lowered full fendered , can’t decide on a 401 nailhead with 6x2 And cad lasalle trans or desoto 291 with auto , also any tips on lowering? Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
That's a hard decision because they both have their cool factors. I had. 1940 Plymouth Business coupe with the 291 and auto. Ran like a Swiss watch. But run the 401, run a 3x2 intake instead and buy my 3x2 intake and my factory Buick finned valve covers and call it a day.
Dodge with the Buick would chaff my hide like the '34 Plymouth in town with the SBC. Now, they've put SBCs in Fords ever since Hot Rod Magazine oversaw the one into editor Bob Greene's '41 Ford pickup. But that '41 wasn't a Chrysler product, and it was 'then'. (whatever that means) I think there's an old Polish rule that says: "You may put Chryslers in Fords, but...not the other way around." No matter HOW nasty that Buick looks. Put it in something less 'holy'. My DeSoto's only 276", but it's going in my '27 tub. To lower: Get a Ford F100 front axle, '53-'56. Weld an identical 'flange' onto the lower part of the axle beam, identical to the upper one, but so the new flanges are centered over your stock springs. (axle will be attached OVER the springs, not 'under', as stock were. This will drop you about 4", safely. Clean this up by cutting and grinding the old flanges off the upper parts of the axle. Know where I came up with the idea? My son @richinsanazay has a '25 Dodge Coupe, this is how we did his. Uh...Rich is installing a 291 DeSoto Hemi, as well. His Coupe had 30K original miles, NO rust ever, original upholstery, wood wheels... elder man died while beginning restoration. Now it's a hot rod...
From experience I can tell you that building the DeSoto will cost you a fortune. Personally, I would go with the nailhead.
I had a 291 in a '55 Desoto. Ran great (Fireflite, factory 4bbl, dual exhaust) but only put out 200hp. When I looked up high performance and chrome goodies, l definitely had "sticker shock"! All said, I vote for the "hemi"...
In my opinion you should put in a 5 HP Briggs flathead (You know what they say about opinions) What do YOU want??? Pete
Man what a great pair of choices you have. For me those two, a Nailhead and a Hemi are the two engines that scream Hot Rod. No way you can go wrong with either. I have both in my shop, I built both motors as well. The Nailhead is nowhere cheap to build maybe just as much as the Hemi and they are for sure not cheap to build. As to the Mopar in a Mopar or a Ford in a Ford or anyway you can look at the deal, I have always found that to be a lame argument. Man its a Hot Rod you get to use any damn thing you want to, with those two choices you can not go wrong either way.
Now I’m even more undecided, but I think I’ll use the hemi , the car may come together quicker Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Not to bad, today there are adapters for just about anything behind a Hemi. We today are very fortunate to have two very good suppliers. Hot Heads and here on the HAMB we have 73RR. Between those two there should be no problem at all.
It would have to be the hemi for me as well. Then when your done find another car to build with the nailhead. But like others have said there both awesome choices. Hope you do a build thread on it. Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Hemi's are fun....I have a few....but just thinking the nailhead would be the better build choice.......
I have never been a hemi fan, a lot of nose wight. However I appreciate their hot rod and racing history .
Doesn't have to be that way, lots of ways to slim down a Hemi. It may not be cheap but it can be done.
... so the math says, that a 291 is only 72% of a 401 cubic displacement. Didnt know the previous administration's CORE math was taught here. In my neck of the woods, a 72 is a frek'n D minus. Why would you want that ? Make the HAMB great again. Use the 401.