Hemi questions

[Hotrod46]

I found out today that a fellow I've known for years has a hemi that he wants to part with. He doesn't even fool with cars (other than daily drivers), so what he's doing with it, I don't know. Apparently he's had it for many years. Maybe he was a hot rodder when he was younger.

I know next to nothing about hemi's, other than general info, so I've got plenty of questions. It'll be next week before I can get over to see it, but I'm trying to learn a little about them.

He says it's a 392. It's dissassembled, but is SUPPOSED to be complete. Comes with unused Jahns forged pistons (he said they were 13 to 1, ouch!).

What should I look for other than obvious things like cracks. Any particular problem areas? I've been a Chevy man all my life, but I do like the looks of a hemi, just never really had an opportunity to own one.

How much boring can one take for a street motor? What parts are hard to get or very expensive? I've read that you can adapt a SBC water pump to them. Is this worth doing? How hard are they to cool on the street?

I know they're expensive engines to build. Based on what info I can find, it looks like it will cost about 2-3 times as much as a SBC to rebuild. Sound about right?

What would one in disassembled condition be worth?

Any info or links to info will be appreciated.

Mike

 

[donsrods]

Like you, I'm no Hemi expert. But you know what I also know........they are VERY expensive to build. Some companies like Hotheads www.hothemiheads.com/ have just about everything you need and lots of good info. A good friend of mine on another forum is becoming a hemi expert because he built one for his Deuce and is building a supercharged one for his Dad's Willys. If you want some info on how to check out his threads on it, PM me as it probably isn't cool for me to post another site on here.

I also know that not all hemis are the 392's everybody claims they own. Chrysler made so many versions it is hard to tell one from the other.........some are more desirable than others. I think the 392's from Imperials and the like are the cream of the crop.

Here are a couple of pictures of the two engines my friend Bill has done.

Don

Oh, one other thing I know...........hemis are HEAVY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Hotrod46]

Yeah, I'm finding out that they are VERY expensive!

I'm also finding that there is a good bit of info on the net. I've found some indentification info, so if it's not a 392, maybe I can at least tell what it is.

Sure would look cool in my T, but I don't think it will fit. They're pretty big (I built my car to be a close fit on a SBC) and about 200 lbs. heavier than a SBC!!

 

[oldtman]

My brother had a hemi in his 36 coupe, 4 carbs... ran on the dry lakes. All I knew was it look Cool... check the hotrodders web site... they have some info on hemi's Big caddy 472-500's ..etc.

 

[Screaming Metal]

I found out today that a fellow I've known for years has a hemi that he wants to part with. He doesn't even fool with cars (other than daily drivers), so what he's doing with it, I don't know. Apparently he's had it for many years. Maybe he was a hot rodder when he was younger.

I know next to nothing about hemi's, other than general info, so I've got plenty of questions. It'll be next week before I can get over to see it, but I'm trying to learn a little about them.

He says it's a 392. It's dissassembled, but is SUPPOSED to be complete. Comes with unused Jahns forged pistons (he said they were 13 to 1, ouch!).

What should I look for other than obvious things like cracks. Any particular problem areas? I've been a Chevy man all my life, but I do like the looks of a hemi, just never really had an opportunity to own one.

How much boring can one take for a street motor? What parts are hard to get or very expensive? I've read that you can adapt a SBC water pump to them. Is this worth doing? How hard are they to cool on the street?

I know they're expensive engines to build. Based on what info I can find, it looks like it will cost about 2-3 times as much as a SBC to rebuild. Sound about right?

What would one in disassembled condition be worth?

Any info or links to info will be appreciated.

Mike

Let me tell you about MY little saga..............
I traded this fella a blown big inch mouse motor that was extremely healthy, over 600 horses, for a old 392 dragster engine.

I have since completely rebuilt it........put the fairly stock shortblock back together with a stout blower cam, gear drive, custom timimg cover and oil pan.

I fitted the engine with a 6-71 blower running 2-4's........and after buying some parts for this engine......20 years ago....I could've grabbed a shortblock and built it up for under $2000.00. NOW.....you can't touch a stripped out block for that!!!!!!! And a complete runable engine is over $10,000 nowadays.

Spent a lot more money than I did with the chevy and the best I've been able to do dyno wise is about 615 horses.......which is a good bit less than the chevy.......the torque is more......and overall.....the engine is alot heavier built than the chevy.........which that 615 horses isn't maxx'ing out any of theengines components.......................

1st run was under 550 horses roughed in.....it took me 3 to 4 more runs an some tuning to get the 615..............and the power was creeping up as the engine ran....due to rings and valves sealing, cam settling in, etc..............

I have a Hemi now.... a origional one...........with all the goodies.........if I had to do it agian, I could've latched onto one of the ones that come thru my shop, and build it up alot cheaper, even though they're mostly all aluminum and for the biggest part, all race equipped..........but a Hemi in any form is a expensive investment........and parts are starting to run out..........or at least, the origional parts, I should say..............

 

[Screaming Metal]

There are alot of Hemi speciality houses out there doing business.....just do a search on Hemi Parts........

I'd say if your gonna do one up.....you can go to PAW, you can get a complete engine and blower setup from them for about $8000, (or a hi-perm. normally aspirated motor for about 5000,) after you deal with folks and get a good hi-perf. motor build......you'll at least spend THAT much..........I spent 10,000 for mine parts, machine work, balancing etc, etc, but I know that mine is built like a tank.......and I won't have to worry should a converter lets go and the RPM's hit 6500 ro 7500.....I won't have to tear it down for another 5 to 10 years.................

 

[RexRod]

Hi Mike,

I have a real interest in running a 1G Hemi in my future project as well. I spent a ton of time researching the whole subject. The best info in printed form is Tex Smith's, "The Complete Chrysler Hemi." You can find it on Ebay or Amazon. The ISBN number is: 1-878772-01-5

Completely ignore Amazons price for the book. I think I only paid around $20 bucks for mine on Ebay.

The HAMB has a great section on the Hemi called "HEMI-Tech." Get involved and ask questions. It's the largest resource for the 1G Hemi on the web. Well, I think so anyway. You can find it here:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118764[/SIGPIC]http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118764

Hot Heads also has a classifieds section, and a very simple bulletin board you can join to ask questions.

If you haven't found them yet, these sites also have some great info on the 1G Hemi engine, and how to identify what you have based on things like casting numbers:

http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Early_Hemi_engine_specifications
Chrysler Corporation Early Hemi Engines
Mopar's Infamous Hemi
HotRodsAndHemis.com

Hot Heads is your best source for parts. PAW and Speedy Bill have some limited parts as well.

Now it's true that the first generation Hemi's are selling for a ton of mulla, and it takes even more to build them. But that's only if you are impatient and not willing to do some good old fashioned looking around. I see rebuildable 331's selling for between $600 to $2,000, and the coveted 392's selling for between $1,200, to $5,000. You may get your friends Hemi for only $300. You won't know unless ask.

I plan on building mine on the cheap. I will get away with this simply because I'm in no hurry. It would be super neat to get my hands on a real 392, but I'm probably going to end up with a 331 or 354, only because they made more of them, and they are easier to find.

If the deal with your friend fall through, don't be afraid to piece meal the motor. You might find a great deal on a crank, block, rods, and heads from different sellers.

You should also consider putting the motor on as much of a diet as you can. Depending on the engine you get, you can run an aluminum BBC water pump with an adapter kit. Hot Heads has aluminum front timing covers, valley covers, and intakes that can really help. If you have the funds, the Hot Heads aluminum cylinder heads would really bing the total weight down as well.

I hope this helps.

David

 

[Hotrod46]

Thanks for the info, guys!

If I get it, I might just have to build another car since it won't fit in the one I have now! Just don't tell my wife!!!:naughty::shhh::lol:

Mike