354 Hemi questions

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halfafish

halfafish

Damn those rabbits, and their holes!
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A buddy calls me up, and says he knows someone who had a garage fire that left nothing but a smoking hole. There are some slant items available for free, just come get them. Do I want to go with? Hell Yes!

We get there and it's a disaster for the owners, I really feel bad for them. The fire was intense and destroyed just about everything, except the engines. We finagle two pretty much complete slant engines out of the mess and into my trailer. My buddy buys a bunch of slant ignition stuff from the guy, and gets one long block and another short block. I come home with a free slant 904 trans and I bought some ignition goodies and gauges.

However, sitting off to the side is a Fire Power hemi. I made a few interested noises but didn't get a strong response. I do need to get with the owner again to wrap up the original deal we were working on, and I am considering making a direct offer on the Hemi. It was in the fire, but it looked complete.

Before I jump into these waters, can knowledgeable hemi owners weigh in please, on if this is a good idea or not? Things I'd like to have a good feel for before pulling the trigger are:

Is this engine a good start for a performance build? If so what kind of power can it make?
Are parts available?
Are parts reasonably priced, or all made of unobtainium?
I'm reasonable coherent in the slant/SB/BB world, but no so much on hemis. How would this shape up size and fit wise for going into an A body?

If there are any other thoughts or opinions, feel free to share. I don't want to dive into this to find I bought a turd that can't be used.
 
First congrats on finding a G1 Hemi. You can find parts & tech info at hothemiheads.com. It will be a tight squeeze to fit into a body. Good luck
 
First thing is take a look at the flange for the trans. If it was an industrial with the long casting for the “pto” if you will it will limit usage. Yes there are methods to change or modify it but not real quick, or cheap. No matter what it’s worth saving...good luck ..Swingn’
 
If it is a Hemi without the cast on bellhousing, yes I would snag it up. I will tell you parts for it are expensive.
 
As said above check tranny. Get with Bob at Hot heads great guy and will get you started. As far as power , their torque monsters. Honestly I wouldn't ask around because you will get all kinds of information , most of it wrong. Call Bob get the right answers. Any old Hemi is worth saving. Congrats and have fun. O by the way , its an old video on youtube under Richard Gillaspie 354 Hemi Dart . If you find it turn the sound up.
 
A 354 is definitely desirable, they are very robust, but parts are expensive, and there place is more in early hot rods than anything from the muscle car area, but if you can buy it reasonably, I would
 
They are expensive to build and period hipo parts can be found, but again expensive. This part of the hobby is dying. The only place for these now is in nostalgia rods and racers, and you really don't race these because the repair is expensive. That being said- they are very cool, but can't compare with the performance of a 426 hemi or other modern engines. If you search Craigslist you can find many old hemi's.
 
halfafish said:
A buddy calls me up, and says he knows someone who had a garage fire that left nothing but a smoking hole. There are some slant items available for free, just come get them. Do I want to go with? Hell Yes!

We get there and it's a disaster for the owners, I really feel bad for them. The fire was intense and destroyed just about everything, except the engines. We finagle two pretty much complete slant engines out of the mess and into my trailer. My buddy buys a bunch of slant ignition stuff from the guy, and gets one long block and another short block. I come home with a free slant 904 trans and I bought some ignition goodies and gauges.

However, sitting off to the side is a Fire Power hemi. I made a few interested noises but didn't get a strong response. I do need to get with the owner again to wrap up the original deal we were working on, and I am considering making a direct offer on the Hemi. It was in the fire, but it looked complete.

Before I jump into these waters, can knowledgeable hemi owners weigh in please, on if this is a good idea or not? Things I'd like to have a good feel for before pulling the trigger are:

Is this engine a good start for a performance build? If so what kind of power can it make?
Are parts available?
Are parts reasonably priced, or all made of unobtainium?
I'm reasonable coherent in the slant/SB/BB world, but no so much on hemis. How would this shape up size and fit wise for going into an A body?

If there are any other thoughts or opinions, feel free to share. I don't want to dive into this to find I bought a turd that can't be used.
Click to expand...
If you pick this up I’ve got this and right up your alley. Pm me and I’ll throw it your way.

image.jpg


image.jpg
 
Most every 354 can safely bore to 4". That can make for a low deck 392 hemi with a 392 crank modified to fit the low deck block. A stock 354 is nothing to sneeze at anyway......just like a 331. All of them can make more than 1HP per cubic inch pretty easily.
 
RustyRatRod said:
Most every 354 can safely bore to 4". That can make for a low deck 392 hemi with a 392 crank modified to fit the low deck block. A stock 354 is nothing to sneeze at anyway......just like a 331. All of them can make more than 1HP per cubic inch pretty easily.
Click to expand...
This is true . Mine was 40 over. One thing Bob stressed was the 354 didnt like to be over camed or carbed
 
xLURKxDOGx said:
If you pick this up I’ve got this and right up your alley. Pm me and I’ll throw it your way.
Click to expand...

I will take you up on that offer. Can we add this to the Mopar book that's on the way?
 
Look at the stamped numbers on the front of the valley rail. Then, go to Hot Heads to verify cubic inch and year. As some have stated already, if it's the early 331 with extended block/bell housing, not as desirable. Certain 354 heads, known as triple nickel heads, are very desirable.
 
Swingn’71 said:
First thing is take a look at the flange for the trans. If it was an industrial with the long casting for the “pto” if you will it will limit usage.
Click to expand...

Does anyone have a photo of what this bellhousing deal looks like?
 
Reasonably is anything less than about 1500 bucks. If it turns over.
 
Dave and I just loaded one with the adapter from another barn fire loss in Pa. Of all these motors it dropped the dodge to the helpers

106_0895.JPG
 
zigs said:
As said above check tranny. Get with Bob at Hot heads great guy and will get you started. As far as power , their torque monsters. Honestly I wouldn't ask around because you will get all kinds of information , most of it wrong. Call Bob get the right answers. Any old Hemi is worth saving. Congrats and have fun. O by the way , its an old video on youtube under Richard Gillaspie 354 Hemi Dart . If you find it turn the sound up.
Click to expand...

HEMI =$$$
 
Later 331s have a "normal" bellhousing, like this 330 desoto example
20200708_090900.jpg
 
IMO , go for it . Have it checked out to see if it was hurt in the fire . They make a fine hot rod motor that runs smooth and will run forever . Look to "O'Brian TRuckers" for accessories .
 
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