hemi questions?????

[396_WAYS_TO_SPIT]

Me and my father just got a hemi. How do we find out what size the block is? What are the sizes of hemi's? How much do they sell for? I want to sell it but I dont know nothing about it. Could someone shed a little light on this for me? I had to post over here because I think very few jet guys know and I would probably get more answers over here. Thanks 396 :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

[Oldsquirt]

First you need to determine whether it is an "early" or "late" Hemi. Late Hemis are 426ci and are distinguishable by their distributor being located at the front of the motor.
Early Hemis all had distributors at the rear of block. They came in displacements from 331ci to 392ci. For a list of displacements/ID numbers go to Early Hemi ID Guide (http://www.hothemiheads.com/hemiguide.html)
As luck would have it, the January issue of "Street Rodder Magazine" has an article on the early hemi.
[ November 20, 2002, 07:26 PM: Message edited by: OLDSQUIRT ]

[Kurtis500]

Tell me your numbers and I can get it for you.

[MoJetBoPar]

Early Hemi's (331,354,392) had the distributor in the back.
Late Hemi's (426) had it in the front.
There were probably 30+ cu. in. configurations of early Hemi's made amongst the Chrysler, Desoto and Dodge divisions. Only the Chrysler versions (331, 354, 392) were really used for actual performance applications (drag racing) and that's what most of the aftermarket applications are focused on.
I know more about the late Hemi, but the early Hemi's were more closely related to the early A-motor or "Poly" 277/318. They share similar bellhousing bolt patterns while the late Hemi was based on the RB ("raised block" 413, 426W 440). They basically gave the late Hemi longer rods, 8-bolt crank, bigger oiling system (1/2" sump), a unique bolt pattern at the cylinder head deck, a new cam and of course from the heads/cam on up it's different than a wedge.
Just my opinion, but the old/early Hemi's are a unique/cool nostalgia trip, but a good stroker 440 wedge (496) with some aftermarket aluminum cylinder heads (Indy-1's) will take a walk all over the early "whale" motor. Late Hemi's still rule but just require lotsa $$.

[GasTurbine]

Heres some pics of our 1969 Rogers/392 blown hemi...first to break 100 mph on our local river...2 years later, a 40 mph limit was imposed. :)
http://home.insight.rr.com/cgreen/boats/Image6.jpg
http://home.insight.rr.com/cgreen/boats/Image7.jpg
http://home.insight.rr.com/cgreen/boats/Image8.jpg

[DansBlown73Nordic]

Very Nice Looking Boat!!!! wink

[Kurtis500]

Just my opinion, but the old/early Hemi's are a unique/cool nostalgia trip, but a good stroker 440 wedge (496) with some aftermarket aluminum cylinder heads (Indy-1's) will take a walk all over the early "whale" motor. Late Hemi's still rule but just require lotsa $$. WRONG.. A 392 with aftermarket Donovan heads and of course the other goodies are whats putting these motors in the 5 seconds with limited tires and only 17 gpm fuel pumps. No telling what next years nostalgia AA/fuel 392's will do now that they have allowed Allan Johnsons forged heads for next season. There is a lot more power to be had, but then you getting into the classes that are all late model. The 426 is so locked it for the fuel stuff that anything else would be too expensive to try and update. The 392 never really has, and never will be a top running naturally aspirated motor.
The 392 rod is also longer than the 440 or 426.
[ November 26, 2002, 09:54 AM: Message edited by: Kurtis500 ]

[MoJetBoPar]

Kurtis500,
"The 392 never really has, and never will be a top running naturally aspirated motor."
I think we just said the same thing.

[396_WAYS_TO_SPIT]

Thanks guys, When my father picks it up I will post the numbers on the engine.
396 wink

[Kurtis500]

oops, also forgot to add that the 392 has a standard 8 bolt crank. Not bad for 1958.

[LeE ss13]

1958 was also the first year Chrysler introduced the "B" Block. (distributor in front). You may remember seeing one in the movie "Christine". It came out 350 cubic inches and the next year it was 361 then later 383. In 1958 in only came 2 ways. It came with 2 WCFB Carter four barrels or Electronic Fuel injection. Yes, EFI. Less than 50 of the EFI units made the street. They were all recalled. Check out a 1958 Chilton service manual for the pictures of it.

[Kurtis500]

Was talking to Jim Murphy today with the AA/fuel nostalgia car, said they turn the 392 at 10,200 rpm in the lights eek!

[MoJetBoPar]

Chrysler also made some tall deck (RB) 383's. I think it was in 59-60, maybe 61.
They had 8 bolt cranks on those early motors too, instead of the later 6 bolt.

[wsuwrhr]

Mo, are you sure about that? I have never heard that before. With the short stroke of the 383, that must have been a LONG rod, or you will end up with 6-1 compression.
Brian

[MoJetBoPar]

Brian,
I'm very sure about that. BUT, they actually used the RB (3.75") stroke/crank and an even smaller bore (smaller than 4.25", stock B-motor 383) to arrive at the 383 cu. in. size. They only came in Saratoga's, Desoto's and whatever else. Pretty rare and little to zero desirability.

[wsuwrhr]

Ok Mo, that makes sense. Like you said, little to zero desireability. Now that I think about it the RB did come into existence in 58 or so. I guess this is the motor they were talking about.
Brian
[ November 30, 2002, 07:33 AM: Message edited by: wsuwrhr ]