hemi question

[Paul Payne]

Do any of the hemi experts know what year the hemi in the AMT 1953 Studebaker represents? I want to use one in another project and the date could be important.

[Force]

I'm no Hemi expert but if it's a 354 or 392 wich it looks like it's 1956-58.

[Paul Payne]

The instructions are pretty vague except that it's a hemi- no displacement mentioned. The date range you suggest would be consistent with the time line of the first release of the kit, which was the early -mid sixties.

[Force]

All the first generation Chrysler Hemis in cars from 1951-58 was called Fire Power except in the Imperial but 331 blocks from 1951-53 had a cast in bell housing, the kit engine don't have that so in theory it can go back to 1954 if it's a 331.
The 331 was in production between 1951-55, the 354 between 1956-58 (1959 in trucks) and the raised deck 392 was available only 1957-58, the 331-354-392 Hemi was discontinued after 1958 in cars when the B/RB engine came 1959 and replaced it.
Industrial and marine Hemi engines might have been in production longer than cars/trucks.

Edited February 28, 2021 by Force

[High octane]

7 hours ago, Force said:

All the first generation Chrysler Hemis in cars from 1951-58 was called Fire Power except in the Imperial but 331 blocks from 1951-53 had a cast in bell housing, the kit engine don't have that so in theory it can go back to 1954 if it's a 331.
The 331 was in production between 1951-55, the 354 between 1956-58 (1959 in trucks) and the raised deck 392 was available only 1957-58, the 331-354-392 Hemi was discontinued after 1958 in cars when the B/RB engine came 1959 and replaced it.
Industrial and marine Hemi engines might have been in production longer than cars/trucks.

Yes, your answer sounds correct.

[Ace-Garageguy]

14 hours ago, Paul Payne said:

The instructions are pretty vague except that it's a hemi- no displacement mentioned. The date range you suggest would be consistent with the time line of the first release of the kit, which was the early -mid sixties.

Force is correct. 

Junkyard first-generation ('51-'58) Chrysler "FirePower" (and Imperial) hemi engines (represented in the kit, and not to be confused with the other Chrysler Corp. Dodge RedRam and DeSoto Firedome hemi engines) were still the hot setup for maximum power in the early-mid sixties.

The cast-in bellhousing Force mentions on the earliest 331 Chrysler engines looks like the photo below. Subsequent 354 and 392 engines through '58 did not have the cast-in bellhousing.

 

Edited February 28, 2021 by Ace-Garageguy

[Paul Payne]

Bill, thanks for the additional info- forum members love to share!

[Paul Payne]

Has anyone put a fifties hemi in a postwar power wagon?

[NOBLNG]

On 3/1/2021 at 9:41 PM, Paul Payne said:

Has anyone put a fifties hemi in a postwar power wagon?

Does anyone make an early power wagon kit?

[Paul Payne]

Greg, don't know of a kit- bought an Ertl diecast and plastic one and am in the process of disassembling it. Very good detail, hope to do some weathering and drop in that hemi!