alternative engines, now Hemi

[Todd....!!]

I hear ya talkin rap,

All VERY good real world advice and points!

BUT, the LOOKS of the HEMI are AWESOME!

How many HP do ya think are possible outaof a 392?

What was the torque and hp from the factory?

I don't even know the bore n stroke of teh sucker, but those HEADS ARE
HUGE MAN!!

Your points are well taken and dually noted!

Appreciate the input man!  I need all I can get!  As it sounds you
surely understand!

Will keep ya posted on the outcome!

Later!,

Todd....!!

.. wrote:
> 
> You need to check the numbers on the block to be sure, a lot of engines get
> swapped out over time. Secondly, to make that old hemi perform you have to spend
> bundles of bucks. Those old long and flimsy stock rockers have to go and the
> replacements are very expensive (big time), along with triple valve springs that
> you need; that is  unless you want a low rev truck engine. Then you'll need to
> replace the old worn pistons with some forged slugs (you'll have to bore it anyway
> to straighten out those old tapered-by-time cylinders). Add at least a roller
> chain timing set (or gear drive). Then comes the cam - you gotta be careful here.
> Those old hemi's can be made to give you gobs of mid and top and power with the
> right cam - but you'll give away bottom end torque. So plan on driving around with
> a 2800-3000 stall convertor (and not the old slush box that came with that hemi) -
> good luck finding an adapter. Outside of cleaning the mice nests out of the
> intakes, just clean them up a bit - don't even look at the cost of replacement
> race heads unless you're REAL serious.
> 
> In short, you'll be Time, Money and Power ahead by picking up a factory long block
> and building from there. Much stronger bottom end for one thing and they breathe
> like crazy!!
> 
> Or- put less then half as much money in your existing wedge and you'll have almost
> as much power, certainly more usable street power. There was/is no magic in those
> old hemi's (in 1958/59 my brother ran a 392 in his '40 Ford coupe and developed
> fair sized arm muscles from steering that old nose heavy beast).
> rap
> 
> "Todd....!!" wrote:
> 
> > So, the 392 was only in TWO years of cars?
> >
> > It could be that year, but it looks older than a 58, will verify!
> >
> > Maybe I'll take a dig pic of the thing and post it on one of my sites
> > and ask ya'll to look at it and tell me wxactly what year the beast is!?
> >
> > My Bee would look REALLY COOL with a HEMI in it!
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > Todd....!!
> >
> > CLsnyder wrote:
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: Todd....!! <atc347 at c-com.net>
> > > To: <diy_efi at efi332.eng.ohio-state.edu>
> > > Sent: Monday, May 24, 1999 12:23 PM
> > > Subject: Re: alternative engines, now Hemi
> > >
> > > > Sounds like a painful operation to me!!
> > > >
> > > > ALSO, BTW - FYI - Found a HUGE IMPERIAL cruisin in the junk yard
> > > > universe this weekend, and it has a HEMI IN IT!!
> > > >
> > > > HOWEVER it's an old 50's or early 60's at the latest car, I can't tell
> > > > what year it is.. but the distributor is in the rear of the hemi, which
> > > > means that is ain't a 426(426's dist is in the front like the newer
> > > > mopar BB's)  So the question now is, is this engine truly a 392 or just
> > > > a 331...?
> > > >
> > > 392 was used in '57 and '58. '56 was a 353. '51 to '55 were 331.
> > >
> > > Single headlights up to '56.
> > > > EITHER way, it IS a hemi and it is HUGE!  NO ONE will be able to tel the
> > > > diff tween it and a REAL 426 hemi except for the distributor sittin in
> > > > the back!
> > > >
> > > > Anybody know how to tell what year the car is or whether or not the
> > > > engine is a 331 or 392 hemi?
> > > >
> > > > They only want $300 for it, and that's still negotiable...
> > > >
> > > > Will be checkin for info on how to tell what this engine is...
> > > >
> > > > May just have ta pull a head to check the bore and pull the crank to
> > > > check the stroke or somethin...  the bore should tell me nuff?  Will be
> > > > gettin the specs and differences tween the 331 and 392 as well...
> > > >
> > > > LATER!
> > > >
> > > > Todd....!!
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Frederic Breitwieser wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > Actually, the plug location in a Hemi is bad because it is off to one
> > > side.
> > > > > > Its the best you can do with a Hemi but its still bad.  As a result it
> > > needs
> > > > >
> > > > > >From what I've read a not so uncommon mod for all out racing is to
> > > drill
> > > > > and tap another spark plug hole... but I've not found anything on the
> > > > > net about it.  Someone who was slightly intoxicated mentioned this to me
> > > > > in a bar a year or so ago.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >