Well guys I need your advice;

This is my first and last 426 Hemi engine build, I don't know if I am getting paranoid in my old age but I want this to be perfect. I have talked to the local guys, I have spoken to the Hemi specific machine shops.
The local guys have all the right answers without listening to what I want.
The Hemi specific guys want to the complete build as well as the machine work.
I would like to have the machine work done, then put my 426 back together myself , not because I would do a better job I just love doing the build.
It will be a stock engine going in a 67 Hemi GTX, the only differences will be a slightly larger hydraulic flat tappet cam, various other upgrades and a six pack.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Bob, one old dude

Give the job to the builder who guarantees his work. Be sure the break in is done at the builder before shipping (preferably on a dyno so he can break in the cam, set the lash, set up the tune, timing, carbs, etc.).

There are not many I'd trust these days, choose wisely.


*On a side note, I'd stick with the factory dual four's, 67 Hemi GTX's are PLENTY cool without any external engine mods.

The stock 1966 or 1967 Hemi Cam shaft is basically useless. It is good to go with something else, not sure if Hyd. Cam is the way to go for you build, need more information. One thing I would do is make sure all your geometry with you rocker assembly is close to perfect. Stock Chrysler stuff is all over the place such as rocker ratio making a Hemi run like a Chevy. Just wondering why the Hemi Six Pack set up? A bottom end is a bottom end even if it is a Hemi as long as you machinist has Hemi experience. The heads and rockers are the things that make or break you for some power. Building your heads would best be done by someone with some experience with Hemi Heads and has some tools for this job. Setting up springs and other things you can do yourself if you have the tools. Read some Hemi building books and keep talking to the Hemi Guys in your area.

Hemicar 71

I agree with what you are saying.

I want the machine shop to do all the machine work.
heads, valves, bore, balance etc. I would like to put it back together, I have built multiple engines over my lifetime but this is the first Hemi, I just want it done right,the cam is from Comp cams special grind it is a hydraulic flat tappet dur @50 is 230, lift around 523, going from memory that is the intake side, cant remember exhaust little more dur and lift if I remember correctly. I have the dual quad intake and carbs, carbs have been gone through. I like three duces had them on my 440 Roadrunner many moons ago, wanted to try them on my Hemi, thought it would be fun and interesting, what can I say I like six pac carbs.

I have no problem sending it to one of the Hemi shops it's not the money, I just like building them. Kinda selfish of me I guess.

I had Tim from FHO [For Hemi's Only ] set up my heads, and Reicherts in Owasso Mi. do the machine and balance work on my block/rotating assembly. Both quick turn around time. Only problem for you is distance to ship.

nothing wrong with putting your own stuff together - I have put together a bunch of BB motors myself..

BUT !!!!!!

For your Hemi I strongly suggest you stick with one person when it comes to machining, selecting components and especially dealing with the entire top end.

It isn't voodoo but there is a tremendous amount of time used up massaging everything to work together.

That is where I got completely bogged down and frustrated with my hemi build.

Over 10 years of collecting parts( small budget involved) issues with getting the rockers setup, head choice, piston notching, pushrod clearance, cutting the intake to fit, etc. - I was measuring parts and trying to take them to a machine shop to have them modified and it just wasn't working

I final realized I had too much money involved to risk a mistake and decided to box it all up and send it to a pro correct it, assemble it all and call me when it runs

I can understand the desire to build it yourself, but there are a bunch of little things that need to be right for it to live strong and happy. Stuff you can read in books, ask about here and at other sites, etc., BUT the guy that does it day-in day-out will have an advantage spotting and fixing these that can't be overstressed.

Build a motor for a friend, or help out a kid and teach him on something that isn't your last motor and probably worth way too much to risk.

First your post should be in the unlawful section, even if the hemi is a stock kind of build. If you are running some performance parts such as Aluminum Heads you will have to understand the parts to use with that kind of build. Head gaskets and other things change with these parts. List the parts in your build and then a better answer can be given. Things like running a bigger volume oil pan I find are a must if you plan on spinning the motor at all. Like others say the heads and the rockers are the magic and the cam shaft also. Factory parts are not the best when it comes to the Rocker Assembly. I would put my money into better rockers. No one would know if they are not stock under a valve cover but this takes care of the bad factory geometry with stock rockers or you can play with the stock rockers to try to even things up. These aftermarket rocker gear is not cheap but they are much much better. Ask around on all part before your build. See what other have done with the same kind of parts.

Are you rebuilding an original engine that has all original parts or piecing one together with parts that are all meeting each other for the first time?
A rebuild on an engine that worked for 60,000 miles and didn't scrub any parts is not that daunting. You do need a machinist you can trust though.

Sheldon

i did exactly what you want to do.

i had worked with tim at FHO many times in the past, so called him and we had a few conversations as to exactly what i wanted out of the engine. i then had him ship me the heads, valve train, complete reciprocating assembly, and anything else he had in stock that matched what i wanted. he designed a cam based on what i wanted that he now uses in a number of his engines, so he drop shipped that from comp cams.

i had a very competent local machine shop do the work: bore and hone, line bore, square and deck.

i then assembled it myself, and took it to a local shop and put it on the dyno, broke it in and did a number of pulls.

so i say, go for it! you can either do the homework and get to understand and learn how to make sure the valve train is set up correctly, leave it to someone who knows, or both. i did both. tim set up the heads and all the gear, but i did all the assembly. heads came with valves and springs installed, rocker shafts and rockers assembled, so i just mounted it all during the build.

can't say enough for it. when it first fired on the dyno, well... most of us here know that feeling...

I have known Tim since the 70s. His expertise is his knowledge of the Hemi but has done Head building since day one for a big Shop in Ontario back in the 70s, he left this shop around 1978. Tim likes when all the local Ontario guys that run Hemis build most of there own motors, such as the bottom ends and assembly of what he has put together. This opened up a lot of time for him to work on other Hemis in his shop and to work on Hemi Heads. Yes there are a lot of guys running his Hemi work in Ontario alone and a lot of HemiNSS cars. Sheldons question is a good one. Is this a motor that has been around and running before. Is it a parts collection over the years and now time for a build. Trust in you Machine Shop is a key also.

I bet we could come up with a list of things we like to do with a Hemi Build. I still think a post on Unlawful thread on moparts would bring in a lot of guys that could ad some stuff that many tend to forget to tell when building a motor. Bob George would be one that frequents that part of moparts and there are others.

Here is one thing I like to do, balance the motor even if it is stock and these parts are old and the stock balancers need to be inspected along with most 40 year old parts. I would also not run the factory Rods, they are heavy and not as strong as the modern rods sold now.

Thanks for the reply Sheldon

original everything, block heads crank etc.
I have Comp Cams hyd flat tappet cam, with new springs retainers locks lash caps
Indy rockers, I will mount them on new shafts, from Indy, if I remember correctly, blocks was previously bored 30 over going to 40 over, I hope, looking at hyperutechtic (misspelled) 10.2/1 pistons. Six pac intake, Pertronix or MSD ignition.
Bored lined honed balanced, everything checked for strait an true/surfaced. I have talked to Tim at FHO, great guy I am still deciding,

I would make one suggestion. Buy Richard Nedbal's book "How to build Max-Performance HEMI engines. I have read a lot of material on the HEMI but this is the most informative. Richard talks about a lot of the details that need to be addressed. If you are building your own engine, it pays to be informed.

I would vote for building the engine yourself, once you are informed of the issues and have a plan for where you want to be when the engine is finished. For street use, I recommend the hydraulic cam route, especially if you run power brakes. I just finished the valve check/adjustment on my 66'. It would be worth losing a few top rpm HP NOT to have to go through that!

I don't think you'll have a problem with this. I too highly recommend Tim at FHO but before I knew him I used local shops with good results. You can't trust just anyone with these parts though so get good references before you proceed (which is obviously what you are doing). I would not use hypereutectic pistons, some people have good luck with them but others don't. It might be machining and assembly procedures that create problems with them but I never near of ANYONE losing a complete Hemi engine due to their JE, Diamond or Ross pistons in a stock type rebuild.
I also agree with buying new, modern rods, balancing etc.

Sheldon

I did what you wanted to do. I had local shop machine the block for the pistons. I had a used crank that I decided at the last minute not to use, so I picked up a new cranks from Competition Wedge here at Moparts. I sent him my rods and pistons for balancing. Once I got everything back, I measured everything to make sure I could spec the bearings. I bought the bearings and assembled everything. The heads were already done before I got them, so just a check was needed. I am in the last steps of assembly and hope to be up and running in the next few weeks.

I used a lot of these photos to help when I assembled mine. Sometimes its nice to have another view on how to do some things. Tim

http://www.hemihaines.com/build-a-late-model-hemi.html
combined with Rich's book, you can easily build a Hemi.

Nice post, this says it all. I believe Rich and Tim have worked together on a few Hemi projects. Tim and Rich are very approachable for information on Hemis. Following the link of Richs is a great start to understanding the build involved. The stock type build is a little easier but this is a template that should be followed or at least studied by someone wanting to build his own Hemi Motor and since the original poster has experience in performing such a task I think with a little reading of Richs book he will have not a problem doing so.

Just one thing, look at how exact the marks on the top of the valve in richs link is. Now that is next to perfection.

Thank you for that link. Some very good tips and info.

Thanks for "ALL" the feedback great info here, you have given me a tremendous amount of info, and I appreciate it, also appreciate those I have had a chance to call, great feedback and information.

Thanks again, more questions to come.
Bob

Key to success is not overlooking anything.I build alot of resto engines for various Mopars.Hemi's can be problematic at times.Mostly from prior abuse and race mods.Your build shouldn't be too much for you if you cover all the bases.I blueprint every engine even the 383's. New arp rod and main bolts.Hone w/ plates, align hone,square the block etc.Same prep for the heads incl guides valves,locks,ret and springs.Measure twice or more.No plastigage. Of course I prefer to build and run the engine on the stand but I understand what you wish to do.Start with an align hone and work your way up.Check every clearance.Clean everything twice esp the block and crank.If you don't know if a system is good enough stop and find out.Remember it will be only as good as the machine work so look for someone who knows Hemi's.Try not to use the small pad rockers and use new rocker shafts.No high volume oil pump without a deeper (7qt) pan ever.The small cam upgrade w/ correct springs is no problem with the added oil sump.Always check pushrod clearance to the heads and block.Be sure the ign and carb system is aok before you run it.More Hemi's are ruined by bad carbs than any other reason.If you need any help ( parts etc.)just ask.