Thread: Putting a Hemi in my '32!!!

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....Took the small block Chev motor out of my '32 tonight. The adapter to hook the 392 to my Turbo 400 Trans hasn't arrived yet so I just sort of set the plastic mock up 392 block in there. It actually doesn't look like it's going to be that big of thing to get it to fit. Just the motor mounts of course. And the steering which doesn't look like it's got to be moved that far. Just down a few inches. It seems as if the actual Hemi block isn't really that big, but the heads are huge! Have a great week-end everyone! Bill

".....And the steering which doesn't look like it's got to be moved that far. Just down a few inches. It seems as if the actual Hemi block isn't really that big, but the heads are huge! ....."


Right on the money Bill. Take the headds off an early HEMI and you have a small block. You do need to the exhaust manifolds/headers when building your steering though.

Another convert!!! Yipeeeeeee!!!! Anything but a 350/350....

Originally Posted by Mike P

".....And the steering which doesn't look like it's got to be moved that far. Just down a few inches. It seems as if the actual Hemi block isn't really that big, but the heads are huge! ....."


Right on the money Bill. Take the headds off an early HEMI and you have a small block. You do need to the exhaust manifolds/headers when building your steering though.

You know Mike I remember when you mentioned that to me a few months back but I thought you were referring to the Dodge, Desoto Hemi's {271's ? etc.}. BUT my 392 is actually a small block??? Wow! I had no idea! Yes, I called Hot Heads about my headers but they won't have any in for 3 weeks. I'll post a pic of what they look like, I don't see them as getting in the way of the steering at all. I'm going with the ones pictured in pic I & II {may be the fire coming out of the headers in pic #II influenced me??? ..... Thanks Bill

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Another convert!!! Yipeeeeeee!!!! Anything but a 350/350....

he, he, he... Yep!!! but actually Dave I had a 400/400!!!

Hi I live in mesa AZ. I have a desoto hemi I belive is a 276. Does anyone know where to get adapters to use a 4 speed of some kind. Or are the desotos even worth building ?
Thanks

You might have better luck getting responses by posting this as a seperate topic. I think Hot heads carries adaptors that will work. As far as building it when all is said and done, you will still have an engine that is under 300 CIs.

http://www.hothemiheads.com/

The DeSoto hemi started life in the 1952 model year with 276 cu in. During it's life, it was bored to 291 cu in, then a raised block took it to 330 cu in, and another bore took it to 341 cu in then 345 cu in. It went out of production after the 1957 model year.

I'm building a 392 Chrysler for my 32 right now to replace the scc that's in it so I'll be following along. My plan is to get the engine all together along with most of the anticipated parts that I'll need then make the swap after the Turkey Rod Run in November.

Here's my engine in mock up. It's now in pieces and the block is out for machining. I already have the heads back.

VERY nice gastrick. I'm kind of partial to HEMIs with a bunch of carbs too

If you don't already have a copy of it Tex Smiths Hemi book has a real good article on setting up the 4 X 2 intakes up for the street.

Thanks Mike P. I actually bought the Tex Smith book before I even got the engine. I wanted to learn all that I could. I also read all of your hemi-tech threads here and found them to be very helpful. Thanks for posting them.