Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 22

Thread: Hemi ID help

  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    2,626
    OK, so I'm wandering around the back of a storage yard and I see the nose of an old boat sticking out of the weeds. A closer look shows it to be an old flattie. The hull is all wood and looks to be a homebuilt?.
    http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data...atside-med.jpg
    Thing is coming apart but I had to take a peek into the engine bay. Look what I found! So the question is, who can identify, or help me identify which early hemi this is. I know there should be a number on the top of block between the heads, but I'll need some sandpaper to clean it up and read it.
    http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data...Engineside.jpg
    http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data...3engine3-4.jpg
    Any help would be appreciated.

  2. #2
    Her454
    How about an OLD one. How can people let stuff go to hell like that?
    Thats in worse shape than Project Firewood was when I got it....and I didnt think that was possible.....................

  3. #3
    Norseman
    It's an early Chrysler Hemi 1955-1957, could be 331, 354 or 392 Cu in.
    Looking at the heads my guess would be either 331 or 354. The 392 had a wider head and I don't see the spacers needed to run the early style heads on a 392 block
    See if you can get the stamped engine number off the pad on the front of the block or the casting numbers.
    I think you need to drag it home!!!

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    2,626
    How about an OLD one.
    Well, that's a lot of help there, young lady.

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    2,626
    Norseman, I think I can eliminate the 331 as they had a deep bellhousing didn't they? Pretty sure this one is shallow.

  6. #6
    Her454
    Well, that's a lot of help there, young lady.
    Happy to help.

  7. #7
    Norseman
    Norseman, I think I can eliminate the 331 as they had a deep bellhousing didn't they? Pretty sure this one is shallow.
    It depends on the year 1951 - 1954 had the deep bell housing and no water outlets on the front of the heads. 1954 had the normal style rear bellhousing and the early style heads. 1955 up had a normal type of bell housing. They build 331, 354's and 392's 1955 up.
    Most of the industrial motors are 354's but there were some 331 in 1956 and 57 used in some industrial applications. They used the 354 up to about 1960 in trucks and for some industrial stuff.
    The army had a shit load of 331 and 354 for pumps and generators both with the extended back and flat back. They also used a bunch of 426's on generators in the mid 60's or so I have been told.
    I like the 50's stuff better.

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    2,626
    Well, just made a trip back over there with some sandpaper. The number on the block is "NE5625117" which, according to what I found at HotHemiHeads.com (http://www.HotHemiHeads.com) , would make it a 1956 354. While I wish it was a 392, it just might find it's way home with me anyway. Would look good in an old flattie.

  9. #9
    Kurtis500
    From the looks of it I'm going to say 392. The gap between the water port on the head and the valve cover rail shows to be 392. If you've got a thumbs distance in that area its the 392 head. Without a closer look, it may be a 354. The dimpled valve covers really gives away something thats worth some dough$$ This motor has adjustable rocker arms on it!! They normally go for $350-500+ on ebay alone. I dont think anything other than a 354 or 392 came with dual quads. If the motor is from a 300c and is a 392 its got the best factory parts in it.
    Some 331's had the bellhousing, some didn't. All early hemi motors stopped production in 1958.

  10. #10
    Kurtis500
    Oops, just caught your post. Good motor! The adjustable rockers may be worth more than the guy wants for the boat!
    BTW, 354's are getting every bit as popular as the 392 now. Parts are getting easier to come by nowadays. With most 392 stuff busted up in drag racing over the years, the 354 has a plentiful supply of core parts laying around. Gene Adams runs a stroked 354 with 331 heads in his Jr. Fuel car. Not a 392.

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. hot rod 392 hemi
    By hemijr in forum Parts 4 Sale
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 09-11-2007, 09:21 AM
  2. Bad ass hemi
    By Blown 472 in forum Gear Heads
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 11-19-2006, 09:06 AM
  3. OLD OLD Hemi
    By SuperWrench0166 in forum Gear Heads
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 10-10-2004, 04:18 AM
  4. Hemi Ram
    By GottaJet in forum Sandbar
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 05-14-2004, 02:02 PM
  5. Hemi Ram
    By GottaJet in forum Sandbar
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 04-26-2004, 05:39 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •