Thread: I pulled the trigger on a Big Al's Toy Box Blown 354 Hemi!!! ;

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Yep, I got tired of 'looking' for a 392 core to have built so I got a 354 Hemi from Big Al's. It's got an 8:71 Blower Shop blower on it. I got tired of trying to find a good core & the kit I was going to get from PAW my engine builder said was un-exceptable {bad tolerences on the rods/crank}.... I went for the 354 instead of the 392 because of the big price difference between the two {3 grand!}. Plus Al said if I want 80 more HP just switch the pulley's!!! But in a 32 Ford I think a 354 will be enough...... AND it's warrented for a year! {although to send it back would be $700 in shipping!}.... :-) Bill

Bill, that will look KILLER in your 32 Ford for sure! Probably get 35 to 40 MPG or so but you will get from one gas station to another faster than anyone else on the road. Everyone is waiting for pics of it installed in your 32.

Should be plenty of power Bill, and the warranty is worth something to....Should the engine grenade, the $700 isn't so bad compared to just starting over with another search for a block......

Man that looks SWEEEEEEET!

Wow--looks nice--didn't have any idea you were thinking of complete or I would of given you an opertunity for one of mine

Thats one nice hunk of iron!!!!!!!!

Thats an engine to die for.Very nice

What a beauty! And sitting in your 32, who's to know whether it's a 354 or 392? I'm sure it will have all the power you will need. Congrats on a good choice

Pat

Bill, if it doesn't fit or sit right in your 32, let me know and I will drive out with my 34 and we can try it in it.

.....Well Thanks for all the positive & funny comments everyone!!! Yes your right Dave $700 {or actually $1400 round trip} in NOTHING compared to a block search!!!
Oh Jerry, now I'm getting buyers remorse! I had no idea that you had a complete one! Please DON'T tell me about it!
Shawnlee, Kansas? When did you move to Kansas? & Why?
Yeah & I think I'm starting to be ok with the fact that it's not a 392! From what Al said his motor are built totally as street motors. 236/236 duration cam, 8 pounds boost, 8.5 to 1 compression. He also said {& in fact, may be I should make a new post on this topic} not to even bother with a boost retart device. Said it wasn't necessary & that it'd just be one more thing to break. I guess may be the timing is not that far advanced so it doesn't need a boost retard??? He also now has a dyno but I'm hesitant to have it dyno'd as I might be disapointed at the results!!! Anyway, Thanks again for all the positive, funny comments!!! :-) Bill

Watch the boost and octang. I have heard the reason Big Al's prices are low is that these engines are not built for race. Peole buy Big Als then start messing with the pulleys to jack up the boost. Then bang. For what he charges for a complete blown 350 sbc, I have in just the all forged parts long block!

Originally Posted by heatwave

Watch the boost and octang. I have heard the reason Big Al's prices are low is that these engines are not built for race. Peole buy Big Als then start messing with the pulleys to jack up the boost. Then bang. For what he charges for a complete blown 350 sbc, I have in just the all forged parts long block!

Thanks for the tip Heatwave seeing as how I probably will/would have switched pulleys! But actually the price for his 354/392 hemi seems HIGH to me not low. Although I'm thinking that the crank & rods in a hemi were pretty bullet proof right from the factory in the 50's.... And they use blower pistons so I think I'll be ok, but please get back to me if you still think there's something I should be concerned with..... And his web site does state; "our engines are NOT race engines"...... Thanks Bill

ps, yeah I just checked out Big Al's blown small block Chev engines & they are rather inexpensive.....