Thread: a Hemi in my '32???

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.....I've decided that not only do I need to go faster but I want something that looks a little 'meaner' than a small block Chev.... At a car show recently I saw a '32 3 window like mine but it had a Hemi in it. Not the new type but the 426 style. It didn't look like it was that big of a thing to get it to fit. I have 2 questions; 1) does anyone know how much the 528 crate motor Hemi's weight??? I've read where the old 392's weighted 790 pounds but they had iron heads & the new 528 has aluminum ones.... 2) Does anyone make an adapter to mate my 400 Turbo to a new style Hemi??? or do I need to use a Mopar transmission??? I saw where PAW makes on to mate the 392 to a Turbo 400.....
Thanks Everyone Bill

Not sure on the weight on the 426 Style Hemi, but why do you want to run a 400?

The 727 Torqueflights are every bit as strong as the 400s and well supported in the aftermarket.

The adaptors I've seen requre sawing off the bellhousing and bolting on a new one that will mate to the engine. Cost wise I suspect the trans replacement will would be the better way to go.

It's "not that big of a thing" when looking at a car built around the engine, it's probably more of a thing in a redo situation. Weight wise I'd say you'll still be in the 650-700# range. You'll need custom headers to clear things like steering, and then you may still need to change the routing on your column pieces. Firewall/floor issues are likely. And of course hood sides are either gone or will need a couple good size blisters. Your current radiator should be evaluated for capacity. But all these things can be done..........better to have been done at initial build, but hey...............this is hot rodding!

....Mike I already have a Turbo 400 in the car so that just seemed easier & cheaper.... After I posted this last night I was reading about these aluminum heads for the 392 Hemi. So I was thinking the PAW kit along with the aluminum heads would be a good engine. The $8 grand kit with the blower. Although I had a problem with the block in a PAW kit a few years ago, they did replace it for nothing.... AND they have an adapter to mate the 392 to the Turbo 400.....
....Bob, LOL "this is hot rodding". Yeah, the money I've spent by 'changing my mind'!!! My entire car was together & then I decided to have the chassis powder coated! I had a bare steel front end & then I decided I wanted it chrome!!! ..... Supposedly my radiator is good to 700 HP so I'd be alright there. & I don't have nor want hood sides. Yeah the steering is probably in the way. I'm going to do some measuring! Oh Sanderson makes there Lime Fire Headers for the Dodge 392 {I guess the Dodge 392 is the same as a Chrysler???}

THANKS Bill

Bill the early style (1951-8) Hemi's are complet;y different than the latter 426 style, and yes there are tranny adaptors available for those engines.

There was no 392 Dodge Hemi. THe largest Hemi made by that division was the 325 CI.

I've often wondered aobut the 392 kit, if you go that route keep us posted.

.....Mike, I called Sanderson & those headers are for a 392 Chrysler Hemi. I told them that Dodge didn't make a 392 but they didn't seem concerned.
I will keep you informed if I go the PAW route. As I mentioned years ago {15 or so} I had a problem with an engine kit I got from them {something to do with the machining on the block}. But they made good on it although it cost me extra money for the engine builder. AND just a few months ago I called them, asked if they had something in stock, the guy said "yes, I'll put your name on it to save it for you". I told him I was driving 3 hours round trip & I'd be in tomorrow. He said "no problem". Well when I got there the next day not only didn't he save it for me BUT they didn't even have the part in stock!!! Glad it was he's day off or I'd probably be 86'ed for life from PAW!!! So I do have sort of a 'bad taste' in my mouth for them! .... Anyway, Mike is there a way that's just as easy as the PAW kit to go about an early Hemi build???

Originally Posted by billlsbird

..... but they didn't seem concerned.
. ......

Sounds like nothing's changed at Sanderson.............

As an alternative to PAW you can try Bob Walker at http://www.hothemiheads.com .

Part of the confusion on the "Dodge" Hemi's was caused by the use of the "leftover" 331 and 354 Chrysler engines in some Dodge trucks after Chrysler had jumped to the 392 motor.

Cheers, Mark

And for the TH400 to 392 adapter you can call Pat at Wilcap in Pismo.

http://www.wilcap.com/Hemi.html#392350

Cheers, Mark

.....Thanks for the links Mark.... Hummm, did some reading on the Hemi web sites & it seems the Hemi Crate Motors aren't built very well. LOTS of problems with them running right, leaks, etc. $12 to $16 grand straight from the factory & there not built well??? I guess so...... Also read how the aluminum heads for the 392 motors have smaller combustion chambers to raise the compression which won't work with a supercharger. So it looks like the easiest & cheapest way is to use an all iron 392 which means an 800 pound motor.... Maybe I should reconsider my idea???
Thanks again to all, Bill

Ford hemi or boss engine,lots more hp than the old hemi and they look good also.......

Bill,

Unless you need the extra displacement offered by the 392, just use a 331 or 354 block and "save' the $1500 difference in core cost. Now take that money and blow it on a set of the Hot Head aluminum heads. You will end up with a Hemi that weighs less than an iron head SBC.

Just such a setup is currently running second in the engine challenge posted here a couple of days ago.

Cheers, Mark

.....hummm, Shawn I didn't even think of a Ford!!! Thanks, I will look into it although aren't the Ford Hemi's outrageously expensive???

....Mark, a Hemi with aluminum heads weights less than an iron headed small block Chev??? I thought they weighted more than that. Or does the 354/331 weight less than the 392??? I was thinking the blown 392 because now I have 499 Tq & 460 HP & it's not enough {413 small block Chev. Dyno'ed @ flywheel}. I would like to be in the 600 HP range ..... Thanks, Bill

Your in the ballpark at 16,000 or soo...alot less for a street version. ,its about 6 to 7 grand for the heads ,but the rest is regular stuff.You can use a standard 460/429 block and internals under them.Then theres the "special block for about 5 grand /then the internals.....right around 16,000,but thats gunna be close to a 900 hp or so ,depending on how tempermental you want it to be

Hi Bill,

Keep in mind the early Hemi's were small blocks. The short block is the same size as an LA block. Don't think the 392 weighs any more than the 331 or 354, and if it does it's just a couple of pounds at the most.

I think the water pump/timing chain cover on my 331 weighed around 50lbs. Each iron head is 75lbs or so, cast iron intake manifold at 40lbs.

Hot Heads used to have a table on their web site that showed the early Hemi's weight with their aluminum heads, intake, and chevy water pump. I want to say it was in the 525-550lb range complete.

Cheers, Mark