291 hemi useable/serviceable?
- Thread starter YY1
- Start date
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A '55 291 would be a DeSoto hemi.
They are definitely worth getting if the price is right, I think typically cores go between $500-$1k depending on condition and extras (like a 4 barrel manifold). I picked up the couple that I have for around $500 on average.
The DeSoto's don't have quite as much aftermarket as the Chrysler hemi's (331/354/392) but the market is definitely coming around. The nice thing about the Desoto's is that they are all "short bell" blocks. That means that they will exchange transmissions with all of the other hemi's and poly's out there (except the problematic long bell early 331's). It also means all of the transmission adaptors for a 392 hemi will fit the DeSoto, so transmissions are easy.
The DeSoto's also have standard engine mounts on the side, unlike some of the front mount Dodge's. And they're a little smaller dimensionally than the Chrysler's, making them easier to fit into hot rod projects.
They are definitely worth getting if the price is right, I think typically cores go between $500-$1k depending on condition and extras (like a 4 barrel manifold). I picked up the couple that I have for around $500 on average.
The DeSoto's don't have quite as much aftermarket as the Chrysler hemi's (331/354/392) but the market is definitely coming around. The nice thing about the Desoto's is that they are all "short bell" blocks. That means that they will exchange transmissions with all of the other hemi's and poly's out there (except the problematic long bell early 331's). It also means all of the transmission adaptors for a 392 hemi will fit the DeSoto, so transmissions are easy.
The DeSoto's also have standard engine mounts on the side, unlike some of the front mount Dodge's. And they're a little smaller dimensionally than the Chrysler's, making them easier to fit into hot rod projects.
mopow3r
Well-Known Member
Awesome post!! never knew about the 291, get them YY1!!!
Poly bell bolt pattern? Maybe a 273-318LA-340-360 bellhousing would bolt up as well? :angel5:
MoparDaddy
Damn Right I Carry!
nope
Here's a good place to buy some parts: http://www.hothemiheads.com/
Yes, Bob Walker, the owner of Hot Heads is your guy. He can tell you all about them. The Desotos are good engines. I would get them both if you can. The smaller cubic inches is not as much of a handicap as would be with a non Hemi engine simply because of the heads. You can get well over 300 HP without a problem. Oregon Cams can regrind the stock cam core to one of many grinds they have for 75 bucks. That's who did mine and they did a real nice job. Just look through the Hot Heads site at what all is available. They also have a Hemi book that tells all about them and what all interchanges.
SpikeWills69
Live Free or Die
My response is pure nostalgia, but GET EM! :blob:
(If they're any good at all of course)
(If they're any good at all of course)
Go for it!
SpikeWills69
Live Free or Die
Exactly, nope.
The diameter of the bell is the same, but the bolt pattern is different. And there isn't enough meat on the block there to drill new holes for the different pattern.
The adapters are pretty simple though, and are available from a few different sources now for just about every transmission you'd want to run, from 833's to 700R4's and everything in between. I believe Quicktime also makes some bellhousing's for the hemi application and more popular transmissions now.
Bob is a good source of info, and the Hemi book is a decent start, but the book especially has more than a few inaccuracies, some are pretty blatant.
The HAMB is probably the best source of info by far, although there's a lot to sort through. The Hemi Tech index is a great place to start if you have some time. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118764
The DeSoto's are great engines, I actually think they're more useful than the Chrysler's. Sure, you can't beat a 392 when it comes to break-neck horsepower, but for driving around on the street the DeSoto's are spectacular. As Rusty pointed out, a 291 is easily capable of 300 hp, and that's a pretty mild build. Just raise the compression up to around 9.5:1 and have the cam reground and you're there. No porting or anything fancy needed, just a little compression and cam.
This 291 made 374hp at 6600rpm, but it has DeSoto 330 heads, 10.5:1 compression, and a HUGE cam for a hemi. And really bitchin weiand 4x2. I just may have one of those. :wink: Buggers are hard to find.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=601899
[ame]http://youtu.be/ecByN0N8Tww[/ame]
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