392 ect? Are they worth anything or worth building. I keep my eyes out for the smaller Red ram Hemis for a potential street rod project and have found on line a 291 hemi. Desoto Fore done eight.


I was hoping it was a smaller engine but it looks like its the same size as a regular 331, which in its self is kind of a dog.

In any case, it has the bolt on bell housing too, not a fixed one like some of the 331s.

RUMBLON

dodge desoto hemis are smaller than the chrysler--331/354 the 392 is a tall deck 354-----you can buy everything for the chrysler motors---for the dodge/desoto some things are there but you will spend alot of time finding other things like cool intakes for the hot rod---the old mopar hemis are small blocks--take the gigantic heads off and it is a small block---small block transmissions bolt to them--small block motor mounts fit----for the technology of the day the old hemi was hard to beat----bob

allot of info can be found at hotheads.com or home.together.net/~twaters ,and some others just start searching. webrodder also has some articles. I'm building a 325 Dodge Red Ram for my 32 ford.

Chrysler brand Hemis are more popular and parts availability is pretty good. Dodge Hemis are less so available for parts, DeSoto Hemis are rare and hard to get parts for. Unless you're restoring a DeSoto, or enjoy the rarity, I'd pass. Obviously, it's smaller overall than a Chrysler engine, so not as powerful(stock). Good luck!

JS

There were the Chrysler Firepower, the DeSoto Firedome, and the Dodge Red Ram Hemis.
Each engine had different bore spacing, and there are hardly any parts that swap. Chrysler had the biggest spacing at 4.5625", DeSoto was next, then the Dodge is positively tiny. They all weigh a lot.

PAW in california has discontinued all other engine stuff and is now early Hemi only.
www.hothemiheads.com is probably your best place to start looking.

A 1954 331 or 354 would be a pretty cool engine. I'd like to have a 315 Dodge to put in my '33 Ford pickup. I think it'd fit under the hood. A DeSoto can be a pretty nice motor too.

R.