[56dodge]

hey guys, so I ust got back from a visit to a guys shop were he had a 1970 ebody challenger. and a "hemi" engine along with the trans pulled out of the car. I purchased the engine along with the trans and radiator. my question is how would i go about making sure this is a "hemi"
thanks in advance

[DoubleVision]

Aren`t older Hemi`s unmistakeable? Far as I remember the plug wires are run into the valve covers. This is why I always tell people do your homework before you lay down your cash or you`ll get taken. Always know what your buying. There is no excuse for not doing 5 minutes of research online to find out if what your looking at is what the seller says it is.
Good old american tradition of trust and honesty. That`s been gone over 50 years and it`s not coming back. Trust nobody, let them earn it. Never take somebody`s word on anything, varify it by doing research to be sure what your looking to buy is what your told it is. If the engine is not a Hemi and you just laid down a fair amount of cash then your going to be a bit upset.

[techinspector1]

If the spark plug wires go down through the middle of the valve covers, it's a hemi. If they don't, it ain't.
http://www.bouchillonperformance.com...P5249667AC.jpg

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by 56dodge

hey guys, so I ust got back from a visit to a guys shop were he had a 1970 ebody challenger. and a "hemi" engine along with the trans pulled out of the car. I purchased the engine along with the trans and radiator. my question is how would i go about making sure this is a "hemi"
thanks in advance

You mean besides the 5-figure price tag?

There are early and late Hemi engines. The early range in size from 241(?) to 392. The later 426 would have been the engine that could have come in a Challenger. But there's no way someone would sell just the engine (if an original) from an E-body, IMHO.


392 HEMI

The later 426 Hemi had distributor in front, among other things, but they ALL have the iconic valve covers w/spark plug holes through them.

[68NovaSS]

What Cobalt said, if it is an original hemi setup, unless the guy is brain dead, you would have had to pay him with lots of money and your first born.

[56dodge]

well I only laid down 400 for engine tranny and radiator along with some pulleys and a bunch of other stuff that came off the challenger so if its not a hemi I wont be that upset,
let me check the spark plugs

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by 56dodge

well I only laid down 400 for engine tranny and radiator along with some pulleys and a bunch of other stuff that came off the challenger so if its not a hemi I wont be that upset,
let me check the spark plugs

It could be anything from a 318-up I think. Likely not a Hemi, though, unless he's brain dead like 68NovaSS said- or he's totally goofed on skunkweed

[56dodge]

well the guy just had the challenger under a tarp rotting and was just a middle man for the owner who just wanted to get rid of the entire car in general. the engine does not have the spark plugs on the valve covers but on the block itslef. but the distributor is in the front of the engine in a slanted manner. and the oil filter is in the front along side the harmonic balancer. ny help trying to figure out what engine this is would help. thanks

[cobalt327]

Using the casting number from the side of the block, you can match it up to the casting numbers HERE.

If the dist is in front, you may have a 440- who knows? There are ID numbers located in the front of the block as well. My knowledge of things MOPAR is lacking, so sorry that this info is sketchy.

[56dodge]

2468130 383 1959-71 B

so I have a 383.

[cobalt327]

There used to be not a lot of love for the 383, but I hear tell of some pretty bad-a strokers being done w/them.

[56dodge]

well I wanted to buy an engine with the intention of putting it into my 56 dodge truck which is currently running a 305 chevy. its not a hemi but I am moving from miami to nc am 21 years old so hopefully this engine rebuild will keep me entertained I dont know much about chrysler engines wanted to originally swap out for a ford 302 but this stroker seems like a nice project where I didnt have to shell out that much money.
thanks for the help everybody. thanks cobalt327 for the helping me figure out which engine it is

[cobalt327]

We are glad to help- I think it should make a fine engine for your Dodge truck.

If you want to figure out what trans you have, HERE is a Car Craft piece on them.

Good luck!

[Studebaker]

If you got a good 383 Mopar with Trans for $400.00 consider it a deal. They are a great engine and really respond well to mild cam change. Very good engine design.

[Centerline]

Originally Posted by 56dodge

............ but this stroker seems like a nice project where I didnt have to shell out that much money.

First off, a 383 Chrysler is NOT a stroker. It was a stock big block engine. It is what is called a "B" block and is of the same design as the 440 "RB" engine. (RB stands for raised block meaning there is more distance from the center of the crankshaft to the deck of the block on those engines.) "B" block's were the 361, 383, and 400, "RB" engines were the 413, 426 (wedge), and the 440. Most parts will interchange between "B" and "RB" engines with the exception of intake manifolds, crankshafts and pistons.

Some people have installed a 440 crank in 383 block (machining is required for this) which will give you 426 cu. in. but the more popular stroker is to install a 440 crank in the 400 "B" engine which comes up to 451 cu. in. and is a bad *** engine by anyone's definition. A 383 with just a few upgrades, intake, headers, mild cam etc, will easily crank out around 400 horses which should haul that pickup around with little difficulty.

Good luck.