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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: The War Wagon on October 19, 2013, 11:48:10 AM

Title: Got 331 Hemi?
Post by: The War Wagon on October 19, 2013, 11:48:10 AM
NOT mine, first of all - I was cruising CL ads for cAi's  ;) and came across it.  It's such a rarity, I just wanted to share it!

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/pts/4057362178.html

(http://images.craigslist.org/00101_cO2OrXZuVlU_600x450.jpg)

It would be 31 flavors of AWESOME in an old CJ, or my Commander, or a Gen.1 Dakota or Durango, or most anything you dropped it in!  :headbang:
Title: Re: Got 331 Hemi?
Post by: SixGun on October 19, 2013, 12:45:27 PM
I love cruising the CL ads just to see the interesting things out there.
Title: Re: Got 331 Hemi?
Post by: fal308 on October 24, 2013, 01:09:42 AM
I've got a 354 Hemi sitting in my basement in pieces. Had it for about twenty five years now. Even have most of the parts to rebuild it!!
Title: Re: Got 331 Hemi?
Post by: 80W150 on October 24, 2013, 05:58:38 AM
Engine related but kind of off topic, last year I got a call from my mom, she gave me a name and number of a dude that lives next town over from us. So I call said dude. He starts talking about this 68 charger rt he has. Instantly I know what he's talking about.

Back in '89 I had a cordoba that had a 383 in it. This kid in town had a 68 charger rt with a 440. His dad told him either swap out the engine or ditch the car. I was leaving for basic training in a week when my buddy approached me about this swap.(he knew the kid, I didn't) Anyways, while I was at basic my buddy swapped the 440 for the 383. Straight up trade. Said 440 gets put on engine stand. I come back, get married, kids, etc, my 69 satellite never gets off the ground. Engine sets on stand.

Fast forward 23 years, talking to guy on phone. He has the charger the 440 came out of. He works at the shop my mom used to and remembers the swap story and my last name.(not common in this area) He looks in phonebook and finds my parents number, calls, leaves message. Mom relays message.

We talk and I think "well, been 20+ years, I'm not going to do anything with it. Might as well go home where it belongs". He asks if I'd sell it to him, make the car #'s match again. I say no, but I'll trade ya. Case of cold bud light, you come and get it, it's yours. (hey, gotta have something out of the deal. And told him he could help me drink it.) Long pause, and he says "you're kidding right?" to which I reply "Nope. Case of bud light man."

He comes over that weekend, in a big block 77 shortbox, original. Course have to check that out. But, we get the 440 loaded and he produces two cases of cold bud light AND the photo album of the restoration on the 68. Yup, that's the car. Had a 440 in it and switched to auto but he still had original 4 sp for it. Said he was going to change it all back. So we talked for a while, he checked out my 77 RC, few beers and that was that.

Saw the car this past June and sure enough, he had the original engine back in with the 4 sp. I just couldn't see hanging on to that engine when he could use it more than I could. Besides, if I want a 440 I'll peel the one out of my motorhome that doesn't go anywhere anymore.

There's your heartwarming story for the day. Making a classic mopar whole again. ;D
Title: Re: Got 331 Hemi?
Post by: The War Wagon on October 24, 2013, 06:45:09 AM
(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-basic/worthy.gif)(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-basic/worthy.gif)(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-basic/worthy.gif)  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Got 331 Hemi?
Post by: SixGun on October 24, 2013, 08:33:05 PM
What kind of deal can I get for 3 cases of Bud light??   :laughing7:
Title: Re: Got 331 Hemi?
Post by: The War Wagon on October 24, 2013, 08:42:41 PM
Quote from: SixGun on October 24, 2013, 08:33:05 PM
What kind of deal can I get for 3 cases of Bud light??   :laughing7:

Install me some 4.56 Dana 60's front & rear, and I'll buy you FOUR cases of Bud Light!  :toothy9:
Title: Re: Got 331 Hemi?
Post by: 80W150 on October 26, 2013, 05:34:21 AM
So many willing to wheel and deal and I don't have anything on my end now to trade. :'(
Title: Re: Got 331 Hemi?
Post by: SixGun on October 26, 2013, 01:51:20 PM
Quote from: 80W150 on October 26, 2013, 05:34:21 AM
So many willing to wheel and deal and I don't have anything on my end now to trade. :'(

That sure is a nice golf cart ... hint hint.   :laughing7:
Title: Re: Got 331 Hemi?
Post by: 80W150 on October 27, 2013, 09:09:14 AM
Ohhhhh no, sorry six gun. Just got that critter recently. My wife has wanted one for a couple years now. If I get rid of that I don't think I'll get the nice home cooked meals that I like so much for a while. ;) It's a older Yamaha gasser. Runs great and actually handles pretty good for a lifted cart. New tires to boot. Paint this winter.
Title: Re: Got 331 Hemi?
Post by: SixGun on October 27, 2013, 09:22:13 PM
My cousin in California is really into those carts.  He lifted his also.  He has a fabrication shop at an airfield and uses his to ride around from shop to shop.
Title: Re: Got 331 Hemi?
Post by: Billy Ram on October 29, 2013, 05:18:48 AM
Quote from: 80W150 on October 24, 2013, 05:58:38 AM
Engine related but kind of off topic, last year I got a call from my mom, she gave me a name and number of a dude that lives next town over from us. So I call said dude. He starts talking about this 68 charger rt he has. Instantly I know what he's talking about.

Back in '89 I had a cordoba that had a 383 in it. This kid in town had a 68 charger rt with a 440. His dad told him either swap out the engine or ditch the car. I was leaving for basic training in a week when my buddy approached me about this swap.(he knew the kid, I didn't) Anyways, while I was at basic my buddy swapped the 440 for the 383. Straight up trade. Said 440 gets put on engine stand. I come back, get married, kids, etc, my 69 satellite never gets off the ground. Engine sets on stand.

Fast forward 23 years, talking to guy on phone. He has the charger the 440 came out of. He works at the shop my mom used to and remembers the swap story and my last name.(not common in this area) He looks in phonebook and finds my parents number, calls, leaves message. Mom relays message.

We talk and I think "well, been 20+ years, I'm not going to do anything with it. Might as well go home where it belongs". He asks if I'd sell it to him, make the car #'s match again. I say no, but I'll trade ya. Case of cold bud light, you come and get it, it's yours. (hey, gotta have something out of the deal. And told him he could help me drink it.) Long pause, and he says "you're kidding right?" to which I reply "Nope. Case of bud light man."

He comes over that weekend, in a big block 77 shortbox, original. Course have to check that out. But, we get the 440 loaded and he produces two cases of cold bud light AND the photo album of the restoration on the 68. Yup, that's the car. Had a 440 in it and switched to auto but he still had original 4 sp for it. Said he was going to change it all back. So we talked for a while, he checked out my 77 RC, few beers and that was that.

Saw the car this past June and sure enough, he had the original engine back in with the 4 sp. I just couldn't see hanging on to that engine when he could use it more than I could. Besides, if I want a 440 I'll peel the one out of my motorhome that doesn't go anywhere anymore.

There's your heartwarming story for the day. Making a classic mopar whole again. ;D
Great story! He must be stoked having it all numbers matching again! Good on ya!!
Title: Re: Got 331 Hemi?
Post by: 80W150 on October 29, 2013, 06:21:34 AM
Quote from: SixGun on October 27, 2013, 09:22:13 PM
My cousin in California is really into those carts.  He lifted his also.  He has a fabrication shop at an airfield and uses his to ride around from shop to shop.

Shoot, I see people using them around town here during the summer. Not sure how legal that is but police don't seem to bother them. They have the orange triangle's hanging off the back of the cart and down the road they go.. Mine isn't slow and has lights, no triangle for this kid. ;) Worst they would probably do is tell me to take it home.

Quote from: Billy Ram on October 29, 2013, 05:18:48 AM
Great story! He must be stoked having it all numbers matching again! Good on ya!!

I know he was pretty shocked I still had it to begin with and then only want to trade for the engine.....
Title: Re: Got 331 Hemi?
Post by: MT_84Ram on October 30, 2013, 12:26:10 AM
Quote from: 80W150 on October 29, 2013, 06:21:34 AM
Shoot, I see people using them around town here during the summer. Not sure how legal that is but police don't seem to bother them. They have the orange triangle's hanging off the back of the cart and down the road they go.. Mine isn't slow and has lights, no triangle for this kid. ;) Worst they would probably do is tell me to take it home.

I know he was pretty shocked I still had it to begin with and then only want to trade for the engine.....

Careful - I've heard of DUIs when driving them in public areas.
Title: Re: Got 331 Hemi?
Post by: MT_84Ram on October 30, 2013, 12:33:53 AM
Anyone?  How about a quick education on 331  - heard of it but that is about all. 
Title: Re: Got 331 Hemi?
Post by: The War Wagon on October 30, 2013, 07:44:54 AM
Quote from: MT_84Ram on October 30, 2013, 12:33:53 AM
Anyone?  How about a quick education on 331  - heard of it but that is about all.

Early 50's engine - used mostly in what qualifed as, "mid-size :evil6: ," Chrysler sedans of the day - New Yorker, Imperial, Saratoga.  Good writeup on the technical aspects here.  http://www.classichemi.com/331hemi.shtml

Now that I think of it, I think it MIGHT'VE been the Chrysler Air Raid Siren engine as well!
Title: Re: Got 331 Hemi?
Post by: 80W150 on October 31, 2013, 04:44:07 PM
You mean this guy?  ;D  http://www.victorysiren.com/x/index.htm
Title: Re: Got 331 Hemi?
Post by: The War Wagon on October 31, 2013, 07:50:21 PM
Yep.  There was one atop the high school - back in the day - about a mile from where I'm sitting.  8)
Title: Re: Got 331 Hemi?
Post by: MT_84Ram on October 31, 2013, 07:55:47 PM
Thanks, War Wagon.
Title: Re: Got 331 Hemi?
Post by: fal308 on November 01, 2013, 04:54:29 PM
www.thehemi.com is a good forum with lots of knowledge of the first gen Hemi.
The 331 has an extended bellhousing which makes it difficult to mate with most anything. The extended bh can be cut off and an adapter mated so that it will take a modern transmission. I'm not at home right now but there are several good books on the first gen Hemi. Pick up the book, Tex Smith's The Complete Chrysler Hemi engine Manual. It's a good read and a must own book for the first gen Hemi section.
Hot Heads (www.hothemiheads.com) deals in nothing but Hemi stuff and has it's own small forum. the H.A.M.B. (http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/) also has a lot of Hemi knowledge. A guy going by T.R.Waters (on Ebay, theHemi.com and has a website) sells some misc parts) (recently got a plain valley pan from him for a good price).
These engines are really cool and can be built to make a ton of torque.
Title: Re: Got 331 Hemi?
Post by: The War Wagon on November 01, 2013, 07:07:52 PM
Quote from: fal308 on November 01, 2013, 04:54:29 PMThese engines are really cool and can be built to make a ton of torque.

The engine they SHOULDA put in my Jeep Commander, then!   :sunny: