Installation Issues for Hemi Transplant

Before I would put a 426 Hemi in the car, I'd look at a modern hemi. Performance wise, it will beat the 426 if done right... and probably if done half assed too.

Next thing... Ever own/work on/drive/ride in/etc. a 426 Hemi car? It's all good when they run right... and if you really ask the few that really know... There aren't a lot of folks out there that make them run well on a day to day basis. I have a good friend that builds FAST (factory appearing, stock tire) drag car Hemi engines. He's one of the few that can make them work. I've ridden in his personal street car and it is impressive.

BUT! He will tell you... a well prepared 440 will kick the *** of MOST street hemi cars and do it every day, day in, day out. Back in the seventies, our cars, my 440 6BBL Roadrunner and his 69 Hemi GTX would run within a few tenths of each other. Same tires etc.

I'm trying to remember the last Hemi car I drove and I think it was the '66 Charger. Geez that car was nice... Ran nice too, but you'd have to push it off a cliff to make it real fast. I wanted to buy it, but $4k might as well been a million bucks at the time. It wasn't happening. It was pretty typical of the Hemi cars that were made to run well. A few were both fast and ran well, but it seemed more like it was a choice. That was before they became trailer queen/ giant paperweights and I probably could have gotten it to run better, but I digress.

So.... I'm going to suggest something to save you tons of dollars.

Build a huge inch 440. One of those stroked 500 inch plus strokers that makes gobs of torque. Fit it with a early 60's cross ram with the AFB carbs that sit over the fenderwells for visual effect or a six pack. There... I just saved you $20-40k and gave you a faster car that will roast the tires at will.

But, build a 426 if you really must. The low end torque for a heavy car isn't going to be there, so it isn't going to be all that fast. You'll have to run some gear (again making up for the lack of low end and the Hemi will want it anyway) so highway isn't going to be a lot of fun. You'll be spending a ton of cash anyway, so overdrive might be the ticket. You can expect to have to wrench on the engine to keep it running right. If you can't do that, and I suspect if you are looking at a shop, you might have to get used to dropping the car off.

I've kinda given up telling people that things are dumb ideas, so I'm not going to do that. I just get some **** for being the only honest guy in the room. Right @commando1 ? It's your car... Your money... Insert some quote about Dairy Queen.
 
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tallhair said:
But nothing looks like a 426 Hemi
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I wish I still had the pic, but I saw a '34 Ford with a small block Ford engine. Attached to the engines with brackets were Hemi valve covers sticking out the side of the engine compartment. Spark plug wires and everything. I spotted that it quite didn't sit right and got up close.. but a lot of guys saw Hemi from a few feet away.
 
You’re absolutely right and I couldn’t agree with you more. If I was really looking at extracting the level of performance that the car visually represents, I’d be foolish to go with the Hemi. From all practical standpoints a stout 440 is the way to go. As we all know, however, this obsession we all have is not rooted in logic or reason. If it was, we’d never do it. There would be no performance car market at all. It’s all emotional. And irrational. It scratches a very large itch for which there is no cure.

What makes this project attractive is what it represents; what it appears to be, and not what it actually is. A muscular 440 is what everyone expects to see when popping the hood. Not a Hemi. It’s the “Wow” factor that closes the deal. Sure, the 440 could beat it all over the track. But for pure jaw-dropping visual impact, the Elephant can’t be beat. I would venture to guess that if Steven Spielberg were filming a story of a “dream car,” and was offered a choice between the two engines, I know what my money would be on.

Whatever gap exists between the two in certain performance applications is more than adequately filled in by our imagination. I learned a long time ago, that when it comes to courtroom battles, whoever tells the best story wins. And the story has nothing to do with the facts. The jury decides who wins based upon how they feel, not what has been factually proved.
 
Be sure to get that 426 HEMI with an aluminum block and heads, for good measure (but there goes the budget!).
 
Elephant Man said:
You’re absolutely right and I couldn’t agree with you more. If I was really looking at extracting the level of performance that the car visually represents, I’d be foolish to go with the Hemi. From all practical standpoints a stout 440 is the way to go. As we all know, however, this obsession we all have is not rooted in logic or reason. If it was, we’d never do it. There would be no performance car market at all. It’s all emotional. And irrational. It scratches a very large itch for which there is no cure.

What makes this project attractive is what it represents; what it appears to be, and not what it actually is. A muscular 440 is what everyone expects to see when popping the hood. Not a Hemi. It’s the “Wow” factor that closes the deal. Sure, the 440 could beat it all over the track. But for pure jaw-dropping visual impact, the Elephant can’t be beat. I would venture to guess that if Steven Spielberg were filming a story of a “dream car,” and was offered a choice between the two engines, I know what my money would be on.

Whatever gap exists between the two in certain performance applications is more than adequately filled in by our imagination. I learned a long time ago, that when it comes to courtroom battles, whoever tells the best story wins. And the story has nothing to do with the facts. The jury decides who wins based upon how they feel, not what has been factually proved.
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As long as you know what it is going in, it's all good.
 
There is no question you are speaking with the voice of experience. You know what you’re talking about. That’s what makes this forum so valuable. Thank you for your insight and willingness to share it with me.
 
Good Morning.
This is a VERY ambitious project. I am not going to bust your bubble on this as, "Anything can be done with time and money". I am going to point out some of the obstacles you will run into trying to do this, (since no one has mentioned this already).
A "C" body does not use a "K" frame like a "A", "B", or "E" body, They use a stub frame and the passenger side engine mount is in a different location for the "Hemi". I do believe it is in the same location as a slant 6. So you would have to work this problem out. (Change frame, or custom mount). I seem to remember aftermarket "Hemi" blocks can be gotten with both style engine mounts, but it has been a long time.
Also, does this car have factory A/C? If it does, and you want to keep it, you would have to use the new style Sanden compressor, as the factory RV2 will not clear the carbs on the hemi.
IMHO I would use a built 440 with a "Six Pack", as Big John stated in his post, they run better and last longer.
Good luck with your project.
 
Seems like the Mopar Perf "restoration" 426 HEMI blocks have both sets of mounts cast into them, as I recall, so that 426 HEMIs could go into places they were not originally installed into? Plus thicker deck surfaces. With some structural upgrades, the newer MP blocks would usually make more power (with the same specs) than the OEM blocks would, it was reported back when they first came out. Additionally, the MP 1x4bbl intake (with recommended carb) will make just as much, if not more, power than the orig 2x4bbl intake will.

So, possibly build a MP-block 426HEMI, hydraulic cam, 1x4bbl EFI, modern ignition that looks like the orig version, and tell everybody "It's a NASCAR HEMI" as it has the single 4bbl on it.

Just some thoughts,
CBODY67
 
Leaving this complex engine swap to a "restoration" shop, totally on their own, is going to be a guaranteed humongous disaster.
What do they know about Gen 2 Hemis and C-bodies?????
 
Big_John said:
Before I would put a 426 Hemi in the car, I'd look at a modern hemi. Performance wise, it will beat the 426 if done right... and probably if done half assed too.

Next thing... Ever own/work on/drive/ride in/etc. a 426 Hemi car? It's all good when they run right... and if you really ask the few that really know... There aren't a lot of folks out there that make them run well on a day to day basis. I have a good friend that builds FAST (factory appearing, stock tire) drag car Hemi engines. He's one of the few that can make them work. I've ridden in his personal street car and it is impressive.

BUT! He will tell you... a well prepared 440 will kick the *** of MOST street hemi cars and do it every day, day in, day out. Back in the seventies, our cars, my 440 6BBL Roadrunner and his 69 Hemi GTX would run within a few tenths of each other. Same tires etc.

I'm trying to remember the last Hemi car I drove and I think it was the '66 Charger. Geez that car was nice... Ran nice too, but you'd have to push it off a cliff to make it real fast. I wanted to buy it, but $4k might as well been a million bucks at the time. It wasn't happening. It was pretty typical of the Hemi cars that were made to run well. A few were both fast and ran well, but it seemed more like it was a choice. That was before they became trailer queen/ giant paperweights and I probably could have gotten it to run better, but I digress.

So.... I'm going to suggest something to save you tons of dollars.

Build a huge inch 440. One of those stroked 500 inch plus strokers that makes gobs of torque. Fit it with a early 60's cross ram with the AFB carbs that sit over the fenderwells for visual effect or a six pack. There... I just saved you $20-40k and gave you a faster car that will roast the tires at will.

But, build a 426 if you really must. The low end torque for a heavy car isn't going to be there, so it isn't going to be all that fast. You'll have to run some gear (again making up for the lack of low end and the Hemi will want it anyway) so highway isn't going to be a lot of fun. You'll be spending a ton of cash anyway, so overdrive might be the ticket. You can expect to have to wrench on the engine to keep it running right. If you can't do that, and I suspect if you are looking at a shop, you might have to get used to dropping the car off.

I've kinda given up telling people that things are dumb ideas, so I'm not going to do that. I just get some **** for being the only honest guy in the room. Right @commando1 ? It's your car... Your money... Insert some quote about Dairy Queen.
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The bottom end torque issue is easily solved with a stroker crank or a 4.5" bore aftermarket block or both.

Don't even start with cost! Lol If budgets are a consideration at all, you're building the wrong engine.
Blocks are practically unobtanium, especially iron ones. $5000 seems to be the ballpark they start in, IF you can find one.

A 4.25" or bigger stroker crank will be the cheapest part of any GenII Hemi build.

Kevin
 
As a newcomer to this forum, I am compelled to share some observations. First of all, I am struck by how many “walking wounded” are among this group. For every fellow who makes these projects look easy, there are countless numbers who litter the landscape, dazed and confused, wondering what the hell just hit them. This hobby — particularly when it involves Mopars — is not one for the squeamish or faint of heart. The value of this forum lies in the experience of those who’ve been there, and their willingness to share it. The smart ones are those who take the time to tune in and listen. This particular subdivision should be named “Reality Check.”

In my short exposure I have concluded that I don’t even know what I don’t know, and I bring very little to this table. But I do know this: I am hearing the voices of those who do know. Make no mistake about it; this is an expensive and time consuming hobby that will bring one to his knees in a heartbeat. I am content to listen, learn, offer a humorous comment or two from time to time, and appreciate the skill, talent, patience and passion of those seated around me. I am in the presence of giants.
 
I love the enthusiasm of going against the grain and normalcy, despite logic. No info but it packs candy for the eyes. It can be done!

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Elephant Man said:
As a newcomer to this forum, I am compelled to share some observations. First of all, I am struck by how many “walking wounded” are among this group. For every fellow who makes these projects look easy, there are countless numbers who litter the landscape, dazed and confused, wondering what the hell just hit them. This hobby — particularly when it involves Mopars — is not one for the squeamish or faint of heart. The value of this forum lies in the experience of those who’ve been there, and their willingness to share it. The smart ones are those who take the time to tune in and listen. This particular subdivision should be named “Reality Check.”

In my short exposure I have concluded that I don’t even know what I don’t know, and I bring very little to this table. But I do know this: I am hearing the voices of those who do know. Make no mistake about it; this is an expensive and time consuming hobby that will bring one to his knees in a heartbeat. I am content to listen, learn, offer a humorous comment or two from time to time, and appreciate the skill, talent, patience and passion of those seated around me. I am in the presence of giants.
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Thank You. Quite a few members here, like myself, have loved these cars, and worked on them for over 50 years. And yes we have made the mistakes associated with it. Chrysler owners are a different breed from the General ones.
 
Also, if it were not for Mopars, we would be spending our money on women, and booze. This gets you in less trouble.
 
An empty engine bay perhaps one of these to start the ball. And yes more than one way to skin a cat, so to speak.
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From the A body site, and no its not a hemi. so it may not apply to a c body in the same fashion. Perhaps a modification from this idea would be needed.
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