Re: Hemi Wedge conversion.
[Re: rebel]
#3050885
06/16/22 08:14 AM
06/16/22 08:14 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,102 Yes
sixpakdodge
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,102
Yes
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Can you convert an aluminum Hemi block & make it fit wedge heads? Apart from the top row of Head stud holes, are the others the same as a wedge? If so, can you weld up the top holes, redrill for wedge & cut away the excess aluminum for pushrod clearance? I've got a lead on a near-new Indymaxx Hemi block, but I have Wedge stuff. You don't have to do any of that, just plug off the drain holes in the corners of the block. The Wedge heads will bolt right on.
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Re: Hemi Wedge conversion.
[Re: sixpakdodge]
#3050949
06/16/22 12:21 PM
06/16/22 12:21 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,118 Byron, NY
W.I.N. Racing
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Byron, NY
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...or not. There is the whole inside row of head bolts (studs on a Hemi) and alternitive oil returns that need to be attended to. But for the most part the lifter location, spread and lifter bore size, cylinder spacing, oil feed holes and remainning Bolt locations are similar. Keep in mind it needs to be a Street Hemi type block. The raised cam blocks things start to move, Lifter bore size and spread.
'01 P1500, Blown/Inj BAE,/Veney ,Bruno/CS2,Dana 60 '01 Dodge 3500 S Cummins Auto, Fresh air kit, 4" Exhaust, '05 Dodge Magnum R/T - Too Much to list '60 Willys CJ5 '01 International LPX - Project,DT466, Allison '64 Plymouth Valiant, Inj 528 Hemi, 2spd
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Re: Hemi Wedge conversion.
[Re: metallicareload]
#3051016
06/16/22 03:41 PM
06/16/22 03:41 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 14,514 So. Burlington, Vt.
fast68plymouth
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 14,514
So. Burlington, Vt.
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This is a pic of a hemi head gasket on a wedge head. Bolt hole is off juuuuuuuust that >< much. That big coolant hole/gasket situation also looks a little problematic.
68 Satellite, 383 with stock 906’s, 3550lbs, 11.18@123 Dealer for Comp Cams/Indy Heads
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Re: Hemi Wedge conversion.
[Re: sixpakdodge]
#3051050
06/16/22 05:41 PM
06/16/22 05:41 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,024 NY
B1duster
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2005
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NY
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Evidently I have some kind of ba5tard block then. I have a Hemi Mega Block, that has the upper row of bosses (inside the valley), and I am running it in my car right now, with 440-1 heads, using Fel-Pro 1105 gaskets. This block was still in the new in the Mopar crate when I got it from the original purchaser, who bought it from Indy Cylinder heads. I had to plug the drain holes in the corners of the block, otherwise no issues. Sounds like a Wedge Megablock to me. It’s the same casting as the hemi, just machined different. The hemi oil return holes get covered by the head gasket and head. I believe there are felpro gaskets just for mega blocks. Years ago Tom Hemphill, RIP, offered to convert a hemi mega block I had into a wedge and made it sound simple. This is felpro 1039
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Re: Hemi Wedge conversion.
[Re: B1duster]
#3051083
06/16/22 07:43 PM
06/16/22 07:43 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,102 Yes
sixpakdodge
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,102
Yes
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Evidently I have some kind of ba5tard block then. I have a Hemi Mega Block, that has the upper row of bosses (inside the valley), and I am running it in my car right now, with 440-1 heads, using Fel-Pro 1105 gaskets. This block was still in the new in the Mopar crate when I got it from the original purchaser, who bought it from Indy Cylinder heads. I had to plug the drain holes in the corners of the block, otherwise no issues. Sounds like a Wedge Megablock to me. It’s the same casting as the hemi, just machined different. The hemi oil return holes get covered by the head gasket and head. I believe there are felpro gaskets just for mega blocks. Years ago Tom Hemphill, RIP, offered to convert a hemi mega block I had into a wedge and made it sound simple. This is felpro 1039 1039 is right, I bought the 1105 and it wouldn't work. They're sitting on the shelf. I just checked my receipts, but had 1105 on the brain earlier. I never knew they were the same block. I bought this one from Tom Benzenhoefer in OH and he told me the Wedge mega blocks didn't have the drains in the corner. He had bought two of these blocks from Indy and was supposed to build two motors for a customer, but only one ever got done. Now I'm wondering if Indy got the block as an unfinished casting, or ??? I have two other Hemi Mega Blocks, one I bought new (World) and an older one from an S/S car. I never tried mix matching pieces between the Wedge and them, so I learned something. Funny you mention Hemphill, I just got done fitting a sheetmetal tunnel ram he built on this motor. Older piece, but nice, and certainly an upgrade over the 440-3. I have the receipt from when Tom built the intake, and he did a set of Max Wedge port 906's at the same time...so I can see why the Hemi to Wedge deal would be something he'd consider "simple".
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Re: Hemi Wedge conversion.
[Re: W.I.N. Racing]
#3051126
06/16/22 10:18 PM
06/16/22 10:18 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,118 Byron, NY
W.I.N. Racing
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Byron, NY
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...or not. There is the whole inside row of head bolts (studs on a Hemi) and alternitive oil returns that need to be attended to. But for the most part the lifter location, spread and lifter bore size, cylinder spacing, oil feed holes and remainning Bolt locations are similar. Keep in mind it needs to be a Street Hemi type block. The raised cam blocks things start to move, Lifter bore size and spread. Yea and the rest of that stuff too...including push rod clearance
'01 P1500, Blown/Inj BAE,/Veney ,Bruno/CS2,Dana 60 '01 Dodge 3500 S Cummins Auto, Fresh air kit, 4" Exhaust, '05 Dodge Magnum R/T - Too Much to list '60 Willys CJ5 '01 International LPX - Project,DT466, Allison '64 Plymouth Valiant, Inj 528 Hemi, 2spd
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Re: Hemi Wedge conversion.
[Re: rebel]
#3051261
06/17/22 12:35 PM
06/17/22 12:35 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,118 Byron, NY
W.I.N. Racing
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,118
Byron, NY
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Its do able and based on your location probably the most cost effective option. It is that they dont "Just Bolt on" . Make sure the differencs betwene a Hemi Block and Wedge block (relitive to cylinder heads) can be corrected and go for it.
'01 P1500, Blown/Inj BAE,/Veney ,Bruno/CS2,Dana 60 '01 Dodge 3500 S Cummins Auto, Fresh air kit, 4" Exhaust, '05 Dodge Magnum R/T - Too Much to list '60 Willys CJ5 '01 International LPX - Project,DT466, Allison '64 Plymouth Valiant, Inj 528 Hemi, 2spd
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Re: Hemi Wedge conversion.
[Re: rebel]
#3051832
06/19/22 09:51 PM
06/19/22 09:51 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,024 NY
B1duster
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master
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NY
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So as I see it, i only have to fill the extra oil return holes at the bottom & the 4 holes along the top on each side, deck the block & redrill the top holes & retap. Then cut the excess off & im done. The oil return holes will be covered by head gasket/heads. If you want you could tap and put in a 1/8 pipe plug or a set screw. This is what I was told to plug and add new holes on cast iron block. Tap the existing holes, make and install threaded plugs. - in your case aluminum plugs. Drill and tap new holes - wedge pattern. Looks to me , like on this wedge KB block, the stud bosses don’t need to be removed, in case you go hemi in the future https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/2767505/all/508-kb-b1-build.html
Last edited by B1duster; 06/19/22 10:36 PM.
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