mrwrstory Posted February 24, 2014 Report Share Posted February 24, 2014 Okay boys and girls, as promised I'm starting a build thread on the Dodge Red Ram Hemi. I started on the project about 13 years ago and, as has happened before, got side-tracked. For several years prior I thunk a Baby Hemi would be cool even 'tho I didn't have a car to put it in. Managed to pick up a few engines real cheap,....like the most I ever spend was $300.00 for a D-500. Most folks wanted a Chrysler. So I got this stash of stuff and started buying parts and doing modifications and then,.... got the distractions. Now I'm back on track and enjoying discovering where I left off and finding all the parts that are suddenly cool. The engine is the biggest of the Red Rams at 325 cu. in. Stock it had 9.2:1, a pretty aggressive cam and a 4 bbl. Back in 2001, I did porting and polishing, block deburring, polished the rods and had the rotating assembly balanced. Also made my own .09 copper exhaust gaskets for the headers I hope to build some day. - - - - - Than all went quiet with the Hemi for about 12-13 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deathbound Posted February 24, 2014 Report Share Posted February 24, 2014 Looking forward to this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrwrstory Posted February 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2014 Had to excuse myself for dinner... I should mention that the last two pics were just recently taken. The unveiling of stuff I bought so long ago was cool.The other pics were scanned from snap shots before I got into the internet and digital pics. The engine will have a Chevy water pump adapted. That requires a modification of the timing cover which I started on several months ago. This is stuff you can do that is very satisfying and doesn't cost any money. - - - - The most recent activity was the resurrection and modification of a number of Rochester carbs for the Tri-Power. That's an idea envisioned years ago. It's always a challenge to get them to run right and so far I've had good luck. They look pretty cool too, I think. The cleaning project is illustrated in another OT thread. - [/url - - - Next I am going to experiment with patina finishes. The color scheme will be black, warm metallic gray and a black and burnished bare metal patina. I hope to provide sound of the start-up this summer. Progress updates will be provided as long as there is interest. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave72dt Posted February 24, 2014 Report Share Posted February 24, 2014 What mods have you done on the secondary carbs. It looked like you were running primary carbs as secondaries. I'm assuming an electric fuel pump with the timing cover mods. Yes, please post updates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrwrstory Posted February 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2014 (edited) I have modified stock 2Gs to be secondaries by deleting/plugging any and all circuits that provide idle air or fuel. The new secondaries have thicker and fitted throttle blades and no power valves. They are essentially replicas of true GM secondaries as used in 60s Tri-Powers. I got the kit from Automotion Hot Rod Carbs at the turn of the century along with much of the other stuff I am now using. Yes, it'll require an electric fuel pump. Edited February 24, 2014 by mrwrstory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RodFru2u Posted February 24, 2014 Report Share Posted February 24, 2014 Hey Bill, That looks GREAT!! Hope to hear it run and see it in person one day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40plyrod Posted February 26, 2014 Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 As always, very nice work Bill! I'll be following this build and can't wait to hear the start up but is this really OT? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrwrstory Posted February 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2014 More scraping and toxic baths........... - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrwrstory Posted March 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2014 I'm going for the patina look for the valve covers, timing cover and headers. While cleaning and prepping the oil pan for paint I stumbled onto a technique for developing a patina look for those parts. After douching the oil pan with oven cleaner to remove all the baked on oil and crude, I got a golden film that I worried would inhibit paint attachment. Local paint guy suggested baking the pan to purge the oven cleaner. Result was a mix of gun-metal blue, black and bronze, all over the parent steel. I like the look and 'tho the pan will be painted, I hope to reproduce the effect on other parts. OVEN CLEANER BODY WORK REQUIRED THE PATINA EFFECT I'LL TRY TO REPRODUCE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldodge41 Posted March 7, 2014 Report Share Posted March 7, 2014 Cool project. Look forward to the startup video. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fstfish66 Posted March 13, 2014 Report Share Posted March 13, 2014 subscribed i have a 241 red ram in my 40 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrwrstory Posted March 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2014 Cool! What kinda trans? Pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fstfish66 Posted March 13, 2014 Report Share Posted March 13, 2014 1987 904 marked 998 its a hydrulic lock up convertor,,,, pics of motor or trans???? no trans pics,, i have engine pics,,,,, 325 red rams are hard to find,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrwrstory Posted March 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 Embarking on the Patina Project - Couldn't help it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fstfish66 Posted March 16, 2014 Report Share Posted March 16, 2014 intake and carbs look kool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrwrstory Posted March 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2014 (edited) Nothin's easy,..... Was pattin myself on the back about how the front cover was progressing. 'Course soon's ya do it's,... doah! The water pump adapter on the pass. side would not line up with the bolt holes, so I had to do more body work on the timing cover. - Got that resolved and now the water pump contacts the cover. Gotta do about a 1/16' dimple where the arrows are. Been dickin around with this hiccup for three days. That store bought timing cover with integral waterpump adapter is looking better everyday. Naw,............ Edited March 22, 2014 by mrwrstory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ194950 Posted March 23, 2014 Report Share Posted March 23, 2014 Jus a littl' bit-a littl' bit more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fstfish66 Posted March 23, 2014 Report Share Posted March 23, 2014 pretty kool building your on cover,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrwrstory Posted March 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 Finally resorted to amputating the offending interference. - It finally goes together and I can begin to visualize the routing of the coolant lines and thermostat housing location. - - And indulge in fantasizing about how it will finally look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desotodav Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 I had a friend send me an email a while back with plenty of HEMI engine photos... http://www.hemihaines.com/Hemiphotos.html ... might give you some ideas Mr Bill? It looks like you're progressing very nicely though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd B Posted March 27, 2014 Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 That would look awesome in my 53 semi. I am very, very envious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrwrstory Posted March 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 27, 2014 I had a friend send me an email a while back with plenty of HEMI engine photos... http://www.hemihaines.com/Hemiphotos.html ... Thanks, I'll check it out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fstfish66 Posted March 28, 2014 Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 Thanks, I'll check it out what are you doing for the cross over "?? the one on my motor was long gone,ide perfer the cast iron cross over to the rubber hose,,i recently seen one at a car show,didnt have my camera,,he made his self,,tublar pipe from a after market t stat housing out each side to the head ,,was simple,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrwrstory Posted March 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2014 what are you doing for the cross over "?? the one on my motor was long gone,ide perfer the cast iron cross over to the rubber hose,,i recently seen one at a car show,didnt have my camera,,he made his self,,tublar pipe from a after market t stat housing out each side to the head ,,was simple,, As I recall, you have a 241. That engine had an integral water pump, thermostat housing and motor mount. I may have one for a 241. If I do, you can have it for the price of shppg. My plan for the 325 is to assemble a cross-over manifold and thermostat housing from parts I can make and/or buy, much like that shown in the attached pic. Also, Hot Heads has a water cross-over and thermo housing but it has too much color and bling for my taste. Finally, you may be interested in conversation going on, on another site, http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?do=discuss&gmid=711743#gmessage711743 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fstfish66 Posted April 1, 2014 Report Share Posted April 1, 2014 As I recall, you have a 241. That engine had an integral water pump, thermostat housing and motor mount. I may have one for a 241. If I do, you can have it for the price of shppg. My plan for the 325 is to assemble a cross-over manifold and thermostat housing from parts I can make and/or buy, much like that shown in the attached pic. Also, Hot Heads has a water cross-over and thermo housing but it has too much color and bling for my taste. Finally, you may be interested in conversation going on, on another site, http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?do=discuss&gmid=711743#gmessage711743 yes i do have a 241 dodge, if im not mistaken, the factory cross over is seperate from the water pump,been a while since i seen an original set up,,i have the hot heads timing cover and gm water pump,not my doin,,ide of kept the O,E set up, that way the water pump would be higher and in the middle of the radiator, with the hot heads set up the fan is at the bottom of the radiator,,in need of help soon,,, the made cross over you pictured ive seen others like it i perfer the iron cross over looks if thats how the dodge is,,what do you have for a 241 ?? and thank you for your reply,,, pm me or e mail me if you like,,thanks don fstfish66@aol.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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