1968 Plymouth Valiant First Gen HEMI

[Mike P 52]

I found an intake……small world, but the guy I bought it from is the same one I got a 392 oil pan from last fall. He had a Wieand WC2QE which was the one produced before Holley bought out Weiand. He was more than fair on the price so we made a deal on it. As I figured, it’s the lowest of the 3 intakes.

https://flic.kr/p/2pVgXDv]

DC1[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/153889607@N08/]M Patterson[/url], on Flickr



https://flic.kr/p/2pVj6Kv]

DC2[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/153889607@N08/]M Patterson[/url], on Flickr


I had originally thought about running the pair 550 AFBs I have, but I had shelved them in favor of the pair of 650 AFBs because of how much better the old 57 ran with the bigger carbs. This 354 is built pretty close in specs to the one in the 57 so I ordered a second 650 AVS2 to go with one I already have.

Building fuel lines and linkage was pretty straight forward.


https://flic.kr/p/2pWe3VW]

intake carbs[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/153889607@N08/]M Patterson[/url], on Flickr



That left starting on the air cleaner. Modifying the base got it reasonably low, and for now this is the way it sits. I’m going to have to wait to finalize it until we get the engine in the car and a hood back on (I may run into wiper motor interference with it as far back as it is). I can possibly go 1 to 1½” lower by changing out the top and dropping the base a bit more but that remains to be seen.



https://flic.kr/p/2pWgbq4]

DQ AC[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/153889607@N08/]M Patterson[/url], on Flickr



The big project for today was to get the mock-up motor and trans out of the car and get the K member out. The next few day will probably involve final welding the mounts and grinding the mounts, cleaning and painting it to get it ready to go in the green car.



https://flic.kr/p/2pWqiuY]

K Member[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/153889607@N08/]M Patterson[/url], on Flickr

 

[Mike P 52]

I got the K member cleaned and painted last week, so that’s ready for next weekend.



https://flic.kr/p/2pWYbWA]

Hemi K member[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/153889607@N08/]M Patterson[/url], on Flickr





Yesterday my grandson and I actually started on the Green Valiant. Turned into a long day but by the end of it we had an empty engine bay.





https://flic.kr/p/2pXTgpy]

EB[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/153889607@N08/]M Patterson[/url], on Flickr





And the 508 and torqueflite sitting on the engine cart.





https://flic.kr/p/2pXTgaq]

508[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/153889607@N08/]M Patterson[/url], on Flickr





As expected fighting the headers to get the engine out was the biggest issue and a giant PIA. Fortunately, the HEMI swap should be a lot easier. Having already done the mock-up will save a bunch of time when we start putting the car back together. I’m sure glad we won’t have to fight those headers when we put the car back together…….so is my Grandson LOL.





https://flic.kr/p/2pXUvtv]

A body BB[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/153889607@N08/]M Patterson[/url], on Flickr





With the car up in the air I was able to get the casting number off the carrier and order a set of gears. I ordered 4.30s which with the overdrive will have an effective ratio of 2.97. I’ll probably spend the rest of the week cleaning and sorting parts so I can put the parts car and parts up for sale in the next couple of weeks.







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