Thread: Different to build a 392 Hemi than a SB Chev???

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Hello Everyone , I read in a recent car magazine, don't remember which one, that it is different building a 392 Hemi than a small block Chev. Is this true? Meaning that just because you can build one motor doesn't mean you can't build another type? Are there really differences in building a hemi {the Hemi's from the 1950's}??? Thanks, Bill

well all things still hold true like building it clean checking every thing for size the hard part of this build is getting parts you will have to check to make sure your engine did not come with over size lifter from when it was new you will have to rebuild the old lifters if so .i hear main bearing are hard to get and the shaft rockers need to be re cut i have the older set up on my sioux valve grinder to do that shaft rockers so just this here is more work and time then a sbc engine the sbc is just not that hard to build. (like a lawn mower engine)the hemi will be more work and will have rope seals ? they need to be put in rigth or they will leak and find a good machine shop to bad you do not live closer i would give you a hell of a deal on all machine work i would like to machine up a hemi

THere are a few quirks (the oil check valve) and rocker shafts should be check and hard chromed if worn (neither one of mine required it)......and they are pricey on the parts, but hell I can build one

http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27050

They're about as different as night & day!! The small block Chevy is a hi-winder and the Hemi isn't!

As Pat said the basics apply. Keep everything clean and take your time. Read averything you can on the Hemi and double check every piece.

When in doubt ask for help.

If you can assemble a SBC, you can assemble a Hemi.

GOOD LUCK

Since when is a 392 not a hi winder???

....Thank You Pat, Mike, Geezer & Jerry! ;0 Bill

All it takes is more time and (lots) more money for the 392 Chrysler.

A quality engine build is....a quality engine build with each make or model having its' own life expectancy quirks.

Jerry speaks from experience, Back before the 426, the 392 was the motor to have in a fueler and the gassers. When they introduced the 426 alot of racers tried them and could not get the same results at first. So alot of guys scrambled to get the 392's back in thier cars.

I wrote a pretty long post this afternoon about building a 392 but then that wierd site took over and the post evidently is lost--wrote about 4 bolt main caps, offset ground cranks, oil systems

I think I could build a 392 ( with a core engine) as economical as a chevy---I wouldn't be needing a steel crank or expensive heads as for a chev--the ignitions about the same, oil system also, etc. 392 bearings are $$$$ but you really could use something else

Jerry

....Thank You Jerry, Mooneye & Dave... yeah that's terribly frustrating to write a long article and have it disapear in hyper space..... Thanks for the effort! Bill

Even though I'm a Chevy man I say 392 Hemi.

Mopars always will have a place in my heart but it's cheaper to build a SBC.