casper50 Posted August 18, 2017 Report Posted August 18, 2017 I saved a couple of engines and one transmission from the scrappers this week. Engines and transmission were $125 each. 1st engine and transmission is a 55 Pontiac 287 with 4 speed hydromatic. The interesting one is the hemi. Pulled it out of a 55 1 1/2 ton truck. It's stuck. I'm hoping I can save it. Plugs were in, antifreeze was bright green and it had the hood on and shut. No air cleaner on it though. I know nothing about hemi's. Can some one enlighten me on where the block numbers will be so that I can find out what I've got? Thanks 2 Quote
knuckleharley Posted August 18, 2017 Report Posted August 18, 2017 (edited) Look for a stamping on the block on the side where the radiator hose is pointing (passenger side of the car). It will be stamped "D","DE",or "C",with a dash and a numerical code after that. The D means it is a Dodge,the DE means it is a DeSoto,and the C would mean it is a Chrysler. The numerical code after the letter code tells you which version . For example,one of my DeSoto Hemi's had a number stamped on the block that shows it was a factory 291 cubic inch engine with the factory 4 barrel carbs,and I THINK more compression and a hotter cam than the standard 2 brl engine. Been a while since I deciphered the code and not important enough for me to remember those details. I had intended to put it in my junker 33 Plymouth coupe,but will probably try to find a restorer that wants it,and use the 330 DeSoto in the 33 instead. Coming from a big truck it SHOULD be a 241 cubic inch Dodge,but since it was a old truck,it could be anything. I am not familiar with Dodge hemi's in trucks,so it is possible there will be another letter after the "D" to signify it is a truck engine,which will probably have smaller valves and less compression. BTW,yes,there ARE aftermarket speed parts available for the 241 Dodge hemi. 3x2 as well as 4x2 intakes,as well as hotter cams. Get thee to the Pontiac boards and post that 287 Pontiac and trans for sale. Hard engine to find,and you can bet there has to be someone there looking for it for a restoration project. Edited August 18, 2017 by knuckleharley Quote
casper50 Posted August 18, 2017 Author Report Posted August 18, 2017 Bought the Poncho engine and transmission for my wife's 55 wagon. For the price I couldn't pass up having a spare. 1 Quote
Los_Control Posted August 18, 2017 Report Posted August 18, 2017 That hemi will be a real money pit, I would imagine the cheapest way out would be to put it on a pallet and ship it down to me. Last dime you would have to spend on it. 2 Quote
casper50 Posted August 18, 2017 Author Report Posted August 18, 2017 No numbers on the passenger side of the block. The driver's side has 3 numbers above the starter. Can't see any others. Quote
knuckleharley Posted August 18, 2017 Report Posted August 18, 2017 24 minutes ago, casper50 said: No numbers on the passenger side of the block. The driver's side has 3 numbers above the starter. Can't see any others. Should be up high,just below the head up front. At least that is where they are on my DeSoto engines. Quote
knuckleharley Posted August 18, 2017 Report Posted August 18, 2017 40 minutes ago, casper50 said: Bought the Poncho engine and transmission for my wife's 55 wagon. For the price I couldn't pass up having a spare. You got that right! I know I would sure hate to have to be tracking down a 287. Quote
casper50 Posted August 19, 2017 Author Report Posted August 19, 2017 took the heads off this morning. Cylinders look pretty darn good. One piston has a hole in it. But, the pistons look to need changing anyway. Turns over by hand pretty easy. Don't know why it wouldn't turn while in the truck. Maybe just a bad angle and weak arms. Still can't find a number on it yet. Last photo right most cylinder is the one with the bad piston. The stains on the walls is oil. 1 Quote
casper50 Posted August 20, 2017 Author Report Posted August 20, 2017 I found the number this morning T344-4I40. None of the sites that list hemi numbers have one that starts with a "T". I'm guessing that it stands for truck. Can anyone help on this? Quote
Los_Control Posted August 20, 2017 Report Posted August 20, 2017 (edited) I kinda thought about what someone said in your other thread, the list they had did not include marine engines. Is it a possibility that yours is a marine engine and be worth searching there? While I did a quick search myself, only point of interest I found. Someones engine started with the letter M, deciphered it was the year the engine was manufactured M=1954 So maybe the T would be date. Edited August 20, 2017 by Los_Control Quote
casper50 Posted August 20, 2017 Author Report Posted August 20, 2017 (edited) found a site that listed truck engines. all that I could find was a VT344. Went back and removed more rust. It is VT 344 which according to the chart makes it a 1954 241ci or a 1955 259 ci 55 270 ci. Have to find the bore and stoke measurements to determine I guess.. http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Early_Hemi_engine_specifications Edited August 20, 2017 by casper50 Quote
casper50 Posted August 20, 2017 Author Report Posted August 20, 2017 according to the bore and stroke it's a 241. 2 Quote
classiccarjack Posted August 21, 2017 Report Posted August 21, 2017 Red Rams are cute little Hemi's.... What a great find! Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.