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Hot Rods 401 nailhead or 291 desoto

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Motorvator, Sep 26, 2019.

  1. Motorvator
    Joined: Nov 19, 2011
    Posts: 112

    Motorvator
    Member

    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
     
  2. 41rodderz
    Joined: Sep 27, 2010
    Posts: 6,540

    41rodderz
    Member
    from Oregon

    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.:D
     
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  3. das858
    Joined: Jul 28, 2010
    Posts: 1,014

    das858
    Member

    Run the HEMI since it's going in a Dodge .
     

  4. Atwater Mike
    Joined: May 31, 2002
    Posts: 11,625

    Atwater Mike
    Member

    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...
     
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2019
  5. Yes,,,,, Hemi in a Mopar,,,,just sounds right!

    Tommy
     
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  6. A novel concept. I once had a Ford with a Ford engine.
     
  7. From experience I can tell you that building the DeSoto will cost you a fortune. Personally, I would go with the nailhead.
     
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  8. At least its not a cheby.But the Dodge needs a HEMI!!!!
     
  9. Motorvator
    Joined: Nov 19, 2011
    Posts: 112

    Motorvator
    Member

     
  10. I would go with the nailhead. more cubes and its stick shift.
     
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  11. George
    Joined: Jan 1, 2005
    Posts: 7,723

    George
    Member

    hemi! "73RR" here on the Board is QEC, I like his 727 adaptors.
     
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  12. There's no replacement for displacement.
    The 401.
     
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  13. George
    Joined: Jan 1, 2005
    Posts: 7,723

    George
    Member

    No replacement of the wow factor of a Hemi!
     
  14. 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"...
     
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  15. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 9,817

    BJR
    Member

    As much as I like Nailheads......... Keep it all Chrysler!
     
  16. Gman0046
    Joined: Jul 24, 2005
    Posts: 6,256

    Gman0046
    Member

    Both are cool but in my estimation nothing beats a Nailhead.
     
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  17. prpmmp
    Joined: Dec 12, 2011
    Posts: 1,129

    prpmmp
    Member

    In my opinion you should put in a 5 HP Briggs flathead :eek:(You know what they say about opinions) What do YOU want??? Pete
     
  18. Hombre
    Joined: Aug 22, 2008
    Posts: 1,075

    Hombre
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    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.
     
  19. bill gruendeman
    Joined: Jun 18, 2019
    Posts: 808

    bill gruendeman
    Member

    Nailhead is cheaper and faster, the hemi is cooler. It’s your car do it the way you want
     
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  20. Motorvator
    Joined: Nov 19, 2011
    Posts: 112

    Motorvator
    Member

    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
     
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  21. Torkwrench
    Joined: Jan 28, 2005
    Posts: 2,713

    Torkwrench
    Member

    How tough is it to put a stick shift trans behind the Desoto?
     
  22. Hombre
    Joined: Aug 22, 2008
    Posts: 1,075

    Hombre
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    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.
     
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  23. SEAAIRE354
    Joined: Sep 7, 2015
    Posts: 537

    SEAAIRE354
    Member

    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
     
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  24. Hemi's are fun....I have a few....but just thinking the nailhead would be the better build choice.......
     
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  25. I have never been a hemi fan, a lot of nose wight.
    However I appreciate their hot rod and racing history .
     
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  26. Hombre
    Joined: Aug 22, 2008
    Posts: 1,075

    Hombre
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    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.
     
  27. George
    Joined: Jan 1, 2005
    Posts: 7,723

    George
    Member

    HH & Wil-Cap make stick adaptors. 73RR(QEC) & T. R. Waters are for 727, I believe.
     
  28. George
    Joined: Jan 1, 2005
    Posts: 7,723

    George
    Member

    The advertised 7.5 C/R is probably optimistic. Forged 9 or 10:1 pistons would help.
     
  29. ... 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.
     
    1927graham likes this.

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