354 Hemi questions
- Thread starter halfafish
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Lots of good info so far, thanks guys. I will keep all of this in mind and see what happens when I talk to the owner.
replicaracer43
Grumpy Old Man
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Keep in mind the 392 is at the top of the desirability range, and generally worth more that the 331,354 versions. And the chryslers (331-354-392) are generally more valuable than the desoto variants, and the dodge "baby hemis" In my opinion, almost any Chrysler/Desoto hemi is worth buying, even if only for parts. 1000-1500 for a complete core is reasonable, I buy any of them I find in that range.
zigs
Well-Known Member
I cry every time I watch that
I have messed with a few of the old Hemi's, 5 to be exact. Real expensive, and if it's been sitting uncleaned for decades and maybe seized up very time consuming to salvage. I paid $600 for a couple each complete and seized up. Not a lot of performance parts for the Desoto"s. If the price is right they look cool in your garage all cleaned up.
Most parts don't interchange between the different makes. . I found a place called Falcon Products, I believe, online for the best prices on rebuilder parts. Not cheap.
Krooser
Building Chinese Free Engines since 1959...
Hemis are no more expensive to build than any other engine. I built my blown 354 for $5,000 with the blower... complete.
But you have to throw away those catalogs and quit visiting those high dollar web sellers.
Custom pistons cost the same....my Venolias were $800.00. My SBM pistons were over$900.00.
Camshaft $150.00... gasket kit $80.00... Milodon valves about the same as any Mopar. Same for bearings, pushrods etc. You can use stock rods or 389 Pontiac. Stock 354 oil pumps are available and cheaper than the 340 conversions.
Yes you will want to clean up the rocker shafts and rebush if needed.
I bought a NOS Cragar blower intake for $300.00. Cirello mag at a swap meet for $150.00 (stock dizzy is fine).
Costs the same to machine as a SBC.
Gotta shop around...network with hot rodders...go to swap meets. More fun than ordering online.
But you have to throw away those catalogs and quit visiting those high dollar web sellers.
Custom pistons cost the same....my Venolias were $800.00. My SBM pistons were over$900.00.
Camshaft $150.00... gasket kit $80.00... Milodon valves about the same as any Mopar. Same for bearings, pushrods etc. You can use stock rods or 389 Pontiac. Stock 354 oil pumps are available and cheaper than the 340 conversions.
Yes you will want to clean up the rocker shafts and rebush if needed.
I bought a NOS Cragar blower intake for $300.00. Cirello mag at a swap meet for $150.00 (stock dizzy is fine).
Costs the same to machine as a SBC.
Gotta shop around...network with hot rodders...go to swap meets. More fun than ordering online.
replicaracer43
Grumpy Old Man
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Lots of good points here, the extra cost alot of times is in the "vintage" speed parts, a stock type rebuild isnt much different than a "normal" LA engine from a machining standpoint, and shopping around and networking can get some great deals. But also consider these engines all need a adapter to mate a "modern" 727, or gm transmission, and that "sorta" adds to the cost.
Krooser
Building Chinese Free Engines since 1959...
Less than $300...but when a guy builds a Mopar and uses a PG trans no one adds that into the engine build cost.
I bought every early Hemi I could find in the early 2000's. I was trucking cross country so I got parts and pieces from across the USA. Had 18 engines in my shop at one time.
When the prices went up I made some money. But my objective was to SAVE these great engines from the scrap yard.
I have two 354 Chrysler Hemis. You can get anything you want for them. They are expensive but, you don't need much either. Maybe an intake, carb, headers, and the tranmission adapter. The cranks are forged hardened steel, as are the rods. Hot Heads has aluminum heads if you want. They are not as heavy as reported. Still trying to find time to get my 330 Desoto Hemi in the 67 Barracuda, but decided not to go the 354 route after talking to a few people who had put 354 Hemi's in their A bodies. Don't get me wrong they work great from what I saw, it was just more than I wanted to do.
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