Hot Rods picked up 2 engines this week.

I saved a couple of engines and one transmission from the scrappers this week. Engines and transmission were $125 each. 1st engine and transmission is a 55 Pontiac 287 with 4 speed hydromatic. The interesting one is the hemi. Pulled it out of a 55 1 1/2 ton truck. Plugs were in, antifreeze was bright green and it had the hood on and shut. No air cleaner on it though. I know nothing about hemi's. Can some one enlighten me on where the block numbers will be so that I can find out what I've got? Thanks. Took the heads off this morning. Cylinders look pretty darn good. One piston has a hole in it. But, the pistons look to need changing anyway. Turns over by hand pretty easy. Don't know why it wouldn't turn while in the truck. Maybe just a bad angle and weak arms. Still can't find a number on it yet. Last photo right most cylinder is the one with the bad piston. The stains on the walls is oil.

 

http://hothemiheads.com/hemi_info/hemi_engine_id.html
All engine numbers are stamped on top of block in front of valley cover. Note: This list includes most automobile hemis. The industrial marine and poly motors are not included.
http://www.cowtownmopars.com/original/HemiSpecs

 

the only number on top of the block in front of valley cover is next to the oil filler tube and it's "7".

 

Good score!

 

Dig the hand crank pulley bolt on the balancer. Like you would be able to turn that beast over with a hand crank and start it if it was in perfect condition.

 

Had a '48 Seagrave Fire Engine with a 468" Pierce-Arrow flathead V12. It had a crank, and was surprisingly easy to start. I have generally found that the more cylinders you have, the easier it is to start. The easiest starting snowmobile I ever had was a four cylinder (2-cycle) Yamaha.

 

Great find. I know nothing of hemi's, but I have always been fascinated by them.

 

I found the number this morning T344-4I40. None of the sites that list hemi numbers have one that starts with a "T". I'm guessing that it stands for truck. Can anyone help on this?

 

found a site that listed truck engines. all that I could find was a VT344. Went back and removed more rust. It is VT 344 which according to the chart makes it a 1954 241ci or a 1955 259 ci or a 55 270 ci. Have to find the bore and stoke measurements to determine I guess.



http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Early_Hemi_engine_specifications

 

according to the bore and stroke it's 241 ci.

 

So, it's an early Dodge Red Ram. They were seldom used in hot rods but there were some racing classes they fit in, particularly speed boats. Would make a really cute power plant for a light car like a T bucket.