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Brian's Early Hemi page
Brian's Early Hemi Projects
Building performance Hemi power on a budget
 Here are a few pictures of my project cars in the "rough".  The 68 barracuda has an early Hemi stuffed between the fenders.  This is a street legal car with a fairly docile motor (for a dual quad Hemi), 3.73 gears and a 904 torqueflite with manual valve body.  I have done some unique things with this combination and will highlite my successes and pitfalls as this web page expands.  Putting an early Hemi into an 'A' body mopar is not a beginners project.  I would recommend an LA stroker crate motor for your first undertaking.  This car as pictured above has run the quarter in the mid 12's.  I like to say its an 11 second car with a 13 second driver.  When the driver gets a little better there is a 4.11 spool and slicks waiting in the garage.  I can say that with street tires and running through the mufflers this car is all about torque.  I have to make sure the 10.5 x 28 Mickey Thompson Pros are sticking before I can open all 8 barrels.  The car handles much better than I expected.  I still need to tweek the front suspension, but it goes straight and the manual steering works fine with that iron whale holding it down.  This car started out as a slant six coupe and retains the original K frame, torsion bars and even the 9" brakes on the front.  Yes, I have a strong left leg and I do not tailgate.  10 point cage and disc brakes will get installed before I ever paint this one.    This car gets driven to where its going, not trailered.

The truck (below) is a 1966 Town Panel.  It is currently in my garage collecting dust and spiders.  It was intended to be the tow vehicle for the cuda but time hasn't allowed its restification to start and the cuda hasn't needed towing.  I have a 392 Hemi for it and will probably use the 3.73 gears out of the cuda with an A518 overdrive to motivate it.  This is a rare vehicle and I plan to do an off frame on it.  
My plan for this Home page is to put my Early Hemi projects on it as they develop.  I will post only the information that I have not seen on the other early hemi sites.  If room permits I may include some Power Giant stuff here also.  
Links to more Links
Wilcap Adapters
Cuz an Early Hemi duzn't hafta
 be only in a Mopar
Things I plan to post:

1) Why a 354 works better than a 392 in an 'A' body (or why my panel isn't done)
2) Why I used a 904 vice a 727 (or if I had a 'B' body...)
3) Top ten ways to save money on an early hemi build up. (my anti billet clause)
4) How I built the headers for the 354 in the 'A' body.  
Header clearance is minimal around steering box.  This is how I learned to MIG weld!
I used 2" Hooker mandrel bent tubing.  It is thin wall, light weight and easy to work with.
Rubber mounts won't let you build this tight.
If you are considering a Hemi swap here are some basic guidelines to start planning your project.  Go to car shows and track events where you can look at various motor combinations.  Look at the 426 cars,  the fin cars,  the tow vehicles, and the cars with poly 318 motors.  Even look at fords.  Talk to the owners.  Read any Tex Smith book about mopars, especially, "The Complete Chrysler Hemi Engine Manual".  Read the mopar performance engine and chassis books.  Don't believe everyone you talk to or everything you read.  Check your budget, your time, and your skill level.  Keep an open mind.  A hemi can look good in an AMC, a Hudson, or a 32 Ford.  You don't necessarily need a 426 or a 392 to impress anyone.  I've seen some sweet 241 red rams at the rod shows.  Probably the easiest and most economical build would be a late 331/354 chrysler motor due to the variety of available parts.  
Whats in the Barracuda?
354 Chrysler Hemi built in 1958 for a dump truck.  (L8C7)
        10:1 Arias 392 pistons,  Howards cam,  original crank & rods
                Modified truck oil pan, ARP Head, Main studs and rod bolts
                Block recieved partial fill and was bored to 4.030"   (370cid)
                Modified front face of block to accept 318 timing chain cover
                Used Small chamber 1954 331 oval port heads for  9.5:1 squeeze
                Mildly ported with 392 stainless valves and hard exhaust seats
                Bronze guides cut  for more room under keeper & dual springs
                Custom headers built (by me) to clear the chassis and the road
                Solid mounted on 340 motor plate from Competion Engineering
                Weiand dual quad with competition Carters, remote thermostat
                318 six blade water pump,  MPP 318 ignition,  MPP starter
              
904 Torqueflite built by JW performance w/ reverse manual valve body
                JW ultrabell,  3800 stall, deep pan, B&M shifter and cooler
8 3/4 rear with small bolt axles, 10" brakes, and stock A body width
                3.73 ratio w/ Auburn posi,  Super Stock Springs in stock location
                Subframe connectors,  Two batteries in the trunk (long story)
                Aluminum master cylinder moved over to change #7 plug
            I have run this combination over two years with zero failures
Questions?  Email  
Need an Early Hemi Engine Data Book?
Early Hemi Pro's
 Look good, sound great, & run hard
Fits 318 motor mounts and tranny
Half the cost of a 426 crate motor
Comes in a variety of sizes
Lots of nostalgia
Lots of attention
Early Hemi Cons
Heavy and w i d e
Parts availability
Tired Iron
NHRA rules
Old wives tales
EBAY
^ Above is a cutaway of the early Desoto Hemi. ^
Note the ideal pushrod angle from the lifter to rockers.
The exhaust manifolds tuck tightly under the heads.
Thin area under the valve spring pockets.
Cam is high in the block (stroker heaven).
Coolant area around cylinders (careful with Hardblok)
Head bolts are on opposite sides of rocker shafts
The Desoto Hemi is a somewhat "forgotten" performance motor. It's a little harder to find parts for, but its worth the effort, especially if you have a smaller vehicle.
You might want to try a 291 with 330 heads,  in a 60-66 Valiant, Dart or  barracuda.
The 341 Desoto on the left
 Looks like a baby 426 & Fits like an LA 318
This one has an LA318 timing chain cover to accept modern accessories.  Chris Nielson Cam with .440"/286 grind and 2bbl 500cfm Holley carb.  This is what you want for a "driver" to cruise with.  It's  28" across the covers.  This is the "original 5.7 liter" Hemi.  Bore is 3.82" (.040"over) and stroke is 3.80" for 348cid.  I think this is the right motor for a 67 or later "A" body mopar swap.  Wouldn't look bad in a pre 40's coupe either.
Chrome valve covers photograph better, but the black wrinkle really makes it look "right" when you open the hood .
Notice this one is setting nicely on a 340 K-Frame from a 72 Dart.  Brackets are both left 340 with thicker truck rubber biscuits.
Desoto 330/341 heads with 1.94" intakes and 1.75" exhaust valves are good street performers.  Slightly bigger intake valves and smaller exhaust would work with todays cam profiles.  Be sure to use short (3/8) reach plugs in a desoto.
Small chambers and 3.8" stroke produce 9.25:1 compression with flat top pistons in a 341.
This Twin Turbo Desoto is being engineered by Bill for a 67 Valiant.
Look closely... You don't get this stuff at your local Pep Boys.

I guess Bill couldn't find a 4bbl manifold either?!!
4bbl Desoto manifolds are hard to find, so you may consider using a 2bbl manifold modified to accept a Holley 500cfm 2bbl.  This one has a TRD-2086 adapter with radiused plenum.  This will work fine for a street motor with hydraulic lifters.  If you need the exhaust crossover for cold weather remember to use a High temperature paint on the manifold.  These get real hot when the riser sticks closed.
Whats Next?
A 56 Windsor to 300B clone?
65 Barracuda with 291 screamer?
Town Panel 4x4 with stroked 392?
270 Red Ram in an MGB?

 

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