SAWMILL HEMI

I picked up one of the coolest automotive-related items ever today. It is a Chrysler Industrial 354 Hemi. It was used to power a Sawmill. Still all mounted up.

The Hemi is going into my 55 Belvedere Gasser.

nother

controls

more

again

data plate on rear of engine

Going with the belt drive? Great score

That's cool! Never seen one of those. Take lots of pics for historical sake. You never know, someone out there may really want it as a collectable - like those old hemi powered air-raid horns.

That is just way cool....the engine, the fixture and especially the control pannel.

As mentioned take a lot of pictures. Of course it's your call, but if it was me, I think I would try to find a collector for what's left after you pull the engine. there is an old wood working machine site that this would probably generate a lot of intrest on.

http://owwm.org/viewforum.php?f=1

Please post a picture of the tag (I assume) on the fan shroud.

Tom

Tr: this is the plate on the shroud.

It says:
MECHANIZED SPEED SPRAYER
SPRAYING
MODEL N0:40.....7..4
SERIAL N0: 16.....
(HARD TO READ #S)

FOOD MACHINERY & CHEMICAL CORPORATION
JOHN BEAN DIVISION

SAN JOSE CALIFORNIA LANSING MICHIGAN

This did come out of a local sawmill. Not sure if that was its original application though since the tag mentions spraying.

These early hemis were used in all types of industrial equipment. A cool find for sure.

Did you pull the valve covers yet?

Likely mech valve train.

The valve covers have the raised dimples in them - so i am assuming they are adjustable.

Very cool

when I was but a wee lad, the local carnies that went around back in the day , had those running all the elec plants

I remember going to the fair just to hear them rumble



I think your car should now be called

BUZZ SAW !

Very Cool find!!!

Mark

WOW !!! Great find Jeff..I think I remember when you got the '55..I see it in the back of one of your posts..Thats a great motor for the gasser 55 ..Good luck and keep us posted on the build.. Larry

“....Did you pull the valve covers yet?

Likely mech valve train…..”


“…….The valve covers have the raised dimples in them - so i am assuming they are adjustable……”


Not necessarily. The couple of Industrials I have both had hydraulic lifters and non-adjustable rockers, including the 354 that’s in my 57. Both had the dimpled Industrial Valve covers.

If it does have adjustables it makes it even sweeter.

Mike:

Now i am curious! I will pull them tonight and see. I can live with hydraulic - but if they are adjustable that is even cooler.

I will post some updates here from time to time.

BUZZ SAW painted on the side of the Plymouth - i like that.

Mike,

You were correct in saying that the dimpled valve covers do not indicate an adjustable valvetrain. I learn something new everyday!

I removed a V-cover and see a fairly clean situation. No layers of thick sludge or any broken components. The hour meter on the sawmill rig shows 1237 hrs.

Bummer, I was really hoping you would end up with adjustables.

I'm using adjustable pushrods on both of my first gen Hemi's. The one only has a few hours on the test stand, but the 354 in my 57 Plymouth has been going with them for 5 years and 15,000 miles on them with no problems.

If you decide to rebuild your 354 just a word of caution about the Hot Hemi heads HV oil pump. I have heard that there may be some problems with them.

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/hot-heads-oil-pump-failures-203640.html


Don't get me wrong, I've had good luck with the parts I have bought form Bob at hot heads, but that post was kind of worrysome (I'm running stock replacement pumps in mine so it's not an issue for me).

I'd also recommend Tex Smiths Hemi book if you don't already have a copy.

I recently purchased the Tex book. it is a good one. I will keep the Hot Heads thing in mind.

That's pretty cool find.

Back when I worked in factory maintenance, an hour of use on an hour meter was considered the same as 30 miles for fork lifts. I'd say you have a pretty low miles motor there. Gene

Very cool. So what are your plans now for my old 315?

I am not sure about the 315 - it isnt hurting me to keep it around for a potential future project. Or, I might use it as trading bait at some point. It is nice that it is complete from carb to pan, unmolested, and I know a little bit of its history.
I might still try to locate some Hemi heads for it.

In the end, I couldnt pass up the 354!

I have yet to see a Chrysler Industrial engine that actually had adjustable rockers.

That had to be one awesome sounding sawmill with a straight pipe Hemi!