354 or 392? Hemi? Questions?

$600?!

That's a great deal for a 354. I have two 331's, both long bell though. I paid less than that, but $600 for a complete 354 is a great deal, especially if its running. Heck, even if it needs a rebuild that's a great deal.

A complete 331 short bell ('54-'55) would be worth that as well, although it wouldn't be as great of a deal. Some of the later 331 truck blocks had a "W" cast on the side of the block, even though they may be finished at a 331 bore they're actually 354 blocks and can be bored as such. :-D My only caution would be that I don't know if a long bell 331 ('51-'53) would fit in this application because of the shape of the extended bell on the back of the block. The long bell 331's aren't as popular because they're hard to adapt an auto transmission to. Super easy to adapt a 4 speed to though, you basically just need a flat plate and a hydraulic clutch. But you have to have the space, and it will already be a tight fit.

Here's a link to a hemi casting number ID site. There are a few, but this one is pretty good

http://hotrodsandhemis.com/hemi1.html

Even a 331 can make over 400 hp, but I don't know if you'll get there without a rebuild. The problem with most of the early hemi's, up until 354's and 392's, is that most of them have a compression ratio around 7.5:1. They respond well to mods, but its hard to get the power way up without boosting the compression. In '51 the 331's were only rated at 180 hp. But, the '55 300C 331 (factory dual quad!) was rated at 300 hp with a 8.5:1 compression ratio. I know you aren't thinking rebuild, but a 10:1 compression ratio 331 with a cam and headers will make 400+ hp.

I believe the small block timing set will work for a 354. The earlier 331's had a "long snout" cam and used a different set up, but I think '54 on works. There's a few parts that work with small adapters, all the early hemi's (Dodge, Chrysler and Desoto) can use the LA distributor with shaft length mods. In fact, for a Dodge 241/270 the LA distributor drops right in. And the transmission set up on all of them except the long bell 331's is the same except for the bolt pattern. 440 connecting rods can even be made to work with a little machining (the rod is a little too wide at the big end). I wouldn't worry about the oil pan too much. 331's and 354's use the same pan as a 392, so there's plenty of aftermarket options.

Just for fun, this is a 400 hp 331 hemi...

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxAW3oV8tw8"]YouTube - DeadEndCruisers: Jimmy White's Hemi Coupe[/ame]