HI guys,

I have a couple of questions regarding the Desoto 291 and 330 Hemi engines. I have the opportunity to purchase a complete S22 291 Hemi that is supposed to be in good shape and is complete minus the intake and carb (currently has a 2bbl setup on it). The guy has several 291 parts along with several 330 Hemi parts including heads and valve covers.

Are these parts desirable and if so what would be there value in this market? I know the early Hemi parts are not interchangable but are the Desoto parts rarer or more desirable than the Dodge and plymouth hemi parts?

Thanks, for and info in advance,
Joe

i always thought the dodge desoto stuff was the same and the chrysler stuff was different(bigger)--i would say 500-1000 on the running motor---they are still being used despite poor parts availability...

None of the early hemi stuff is interchangable between any of the brands.

The motor should run and he wants 900 for it. I am thinking of making a deal on all of the hemi parts as well as a bunch of other stuff.

Joe

member trwaters is the early hemi expert on this board. give him a shout with any questions you may have. also remember, the desoto hemis are the hardest to find parts for. get some pics if you can.

tr waters does a 4 bbl conversion on 2 bbl intakes,,,some of those early hemis,,,are super hard to find 4 bbl intakes for,,,some are being repopped by offenhauser,,,hot heads has them but not sure if for a desoto,,,,,check tr waters,,,

only thing that interchanges with the short deck hemis is the distributor,,,small block mopar dizzy fits some with no mods,,,,thats it,,and save your pennys,,,early hemi wil cost you 3 times more to rebuild then a standard mopar motor,,,nice find,,,

The HotHeads brand new 4-barrel intakes for both lowdeck and talldeck deSotos are very nice looking and made by www.VintageV8s.com.
You could look it up.

R.

I bought all of the 330 Hemi parts but passed on the 291 Hemi. If anyone is interested in a complete 291 Hemi with 2 aluminum adapter plates let me know.

Thanks for all the info,
Joe

I.M.O. you were smart to pass on the 291 stuff.

TrWaters,

Are the 330 Desoto Hemi parts desirable and is there any value to them? I have basically everything for a 330 minus the block. I will post picts of everything once I get it all home.

Joe

I bought a 330 4 bbl. motor last year for $150. it looks like it has been sitting out in a field for the last 50 years. the oil pan was just about non existent, every piston is stuck in its bore and the short block has become one solid piece. I worked at trying to get it apart for about 2 weeks and gave up. it sits in the corner of my garage, I`m thinking of cleaning it up, painting it and put it on an engine stand for display.

here is a pic at one of my attempts to get the pistons out-



before I took it apart-

Wow, that gives a whole new meaning to "Fire in the Hole" LOL

Cool picts. Your 330 could be made in to a really cool coffee table.

Joe

1. Get the crank out of there.

2. Have a piece of aluminum or steel turned to just fit in the bore.

3. Put it on top of a piston and strike it hard with a pretty big hammer. You are trying to dislodge the piston.

4. When you have moved the piston out of the rust zone, clean the cylinder wall and apply some lubricant.

5. Drive the piston out from the bottom. Use a piece of oak on the upper half of the connecting rod, or figure something else out.

6. If there is a piston that just won't move, use a long piece of rebar and break out the piston top.

7. Use a hollow stem hydraulic jack and some wire rope to jack the piston out by looping the wire rope around the wristpin.

That's how I got the pistons out of my Mercedes block after a leaky head gasket caused them to be glued into the cylinders. The worst piston broke two loops of 1/4" wire rope, had to go to 5/16".

IF that doesn't work, put the block in a 55 gallon drum. Fill with hot water and pour in about 10 lb of lye. Let stand for a month or so. The pistons should disappear in time.

R.

I really hate to see a nice sized Hemi block going to waste. That engine had a 4-barrel stock. I'd love to put it in my '33 Ford pickup or other hotrod. Too bad you live so far away!

Tall deck Desoto heads are prone to cracking in the chambers. A good set is worth some decent money. Crankshafts are good property. Same goes for 4bbl intakes. I will buy 2bbl intakes, but they need to be cheap..as shipping always runs around $45.
You can reach me at tom@trwaters.com if you need more info.

The guy scrapped all of the 330 hemi parts before I had a chance to pick the stuff up. The kicker was that I had already paid for the parts.

Oh well I still got all the other part for a good price.

Joe

I have a 241 hemi laying around