57 354 Power Giant hemi

I have found a 1957 Dodge Truck 354 hemi "Power Giant".I am having a lot of trouble finding the specs for this engine.The block stamp is M343-1601.The head casting #s are 1733463-1.can anybody help me here?


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Sorry,no help.I need data for engine series:M343.The head casting numbers show it is a 57 354 but I havent found any database yet that shows this engine series.I wonder if it could be a military model...

You sure that's not "M8" ('59 315 or 354), not M3?

You could be right.I just got it and it's a bit cruddy.Maybe I better take another look...Thanks.If you're right I'm gonna feel like a complete *******.LOL!

Here's the final word.I looked again..real close,and it is engine number M354-1601-A 1959 Dodge 354 hemi truck engine.t seems they did build a hemi in 59.My Bad!! LOL.

There are a lot of early hemi ID codes that never made it into any database. At least none that anyone can find now, so don't be surprised if you can't find that code. It could be a Canadian code or a replacement code.... who knows. The good thing is that if you're going to convert it to use in a hot rod any specific truck stuff won't need to be used and basically once you replace the normal stuff, pistons, cam etc. you'll have a typical 354. However, if it was a truck engine, check the heads and if they have a rectangular heat passage in the center (manifold crossover heat passage), you'll have to use a truck specific intake manifold. The standard car style manifold will have a mismatch with the heat passage, but you can have the top section of the water passage welded up to solve that problem, or just pick up a set of "car" heads.



Here's a pic of three early hemi intake manifold gaskets to illustrate what I'm talking about. The top gasket is a 331/354 car, the middle is a 392 car gasket and the one on the bottom is the truck gasket. You can easily see the mismatch and why the truck head needs to have the top section filled in order to use a "car" performance intake manifold.

Centerline

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