Source for “street” (not drag) 392 Hemi?

[Chris in Berwyn]

I am working on a hot rod project and want to use a 392 hemi. I’ve read the Mobius Chrysler 300 has the best “street” 392 hemi available. But I hate to buy the kit just for the engine. I’ve tried to check Cults3-D, and some other places for a 392 hemi with no luck. I know the Revell Willys and AMT altereds have 392s, but they are set up for drag racing.  Any suggestions?

[JollySipper]

Would you happen to have an AMT '57 Chrysler? I believe there's an early Hemi in it...........

[Ace-Garageguy]

There are several good stock ones that come to mind, but the only nice "street performance" version I can think of off the top of my head is in the Revell '32 Ford 5-window coupe.

It has 2 four-barrels, and finned valve covers and valley cover, backed up with a kinda generic manual gearbox. It builds up nicely, but the exhaust port spacing is wonky for some reason.

The exhaust ports should be evenly spaced, but the kit has one port on each side out of place.

It's not too hard to fix though, 'cause the heads are OK. It's just the manifolds that are wrong.  

Edited December 16, 2023 by Ace-Garageguy

[Fat Brian]

Here's a link to buy the engine Ace is talking about, I agree it's your best option for a hot but not full race 392. I've bought from this seller a lot and has good experiences.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/115938165131?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=Vx5zeMoiSYW&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=CNi_i6G9QKy&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[LDO]

I’ve got one or two of those Chryslers. I could part with an engine. I’m always looking for cool engines myself. Any of the following:

Tamiya Jaguar inline six from their Mk.II Saloon, Hudson flathead six, Revell 300SL inline six (1990-2002 body style), Revell Ardun flathead, Ford Coyote V-8. That’s all I can think at 2:37am. If you don’t have one of these, I’m sure we can figure something out. 

[MeatMan]

Texas 3D Customs has one.

While not totally stock, its a nice street perf engine.

https://tx3dcustoms.com/products/hemi-426-dual-carbs

[Chris in Berwyn]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Super helpful. The Ford 5 Window sounds like the best option. The engine swap might be good, but a lot of my stash is currently in storage.  But maybe I have something useful for trade in what’s in my house now.  

[Force]

On 12/16/2023 at 6:06 PM, MeatMan said:

Texas 3D Customs has one.

While not totally stock, its a nice street perf engine.

https://tx3dcustoms.com/products/hemi-426-dual-carbs

That's the later 426, he asks for a 392.
The Chrysler 331 Hemi came for the 1951 model year, it grew larger and the 354 came 1956 and the largest 392 came 1957 and was available through 1958.
The 426 Hemi wich was based on the B/RB engines came 1964 as a race engine only and was put on the street 1966 and was available until 1971, so it's all different.

Edited December 17, 2023 by Force

[MeatMan]

19 hours ago, Force said:

That's the later 426, he asks for a 392.
The Chrysler 331 Hemi came for the 1951 model year, it grew larger and the 354 came 1956 and the largest 392 came 1957 and was available through 1958.
The 426 Hemi wich was based on the B/RB engines came 1964 as a race engine only and was put on the street 1966 and was available until 1971, so it's all different.

Got it!

[MeatMan]

On 12/15/2023 at 7:54 PM, Chris in Berwyn said:

I am working on a hot rod project and want to use a 392 hemi. I’ve read the Mobius Chrysler 300 has the best “street” 392 hemi available. But I hate to buy the kit just for the engine. I’ve tried to check Cults3-D, and some other places for a 392 hemi with no luck. I know the Revell Willys and AMT altereds have 392s, but they are set up for drag racing.  Any suggestions?

What about the Hemi that came in the 56 Ford Pickup? Lots of folks used the flathead so there might be a few of those out there. I glued mine together and altered it but there may be others unbuilt.

[Ace-Garageguy]

36 minutes ago, MeatMan said:

What about the Hemi that came in the 56 Ford Pickup? Lots of folks used the flathead so there might be a few of those out there. I glued mine together and altered it but there may be others unbuilt.

Nope.

First off, it's not a Chrysler hemi. It's a DeSoto, which is an entirely different engine (though produced by Chrysler Corporation in the same period, it shares nothing with the Chrysler-branded engine).

Second, it's in the AMT '53 Ford pickup, not the Revell '56. The optional engine in the Revell '56 is a Pontiac.

Edited December 18, 2023 by Ace-Garageguy

[Mark]

To admittedly stray a bit further, recent issues of the old, opening-doors Revell '56 Ford pickup no longer include the Pontiac engine.  The change took place when the 100% stock red one was issued.  It, and all issues since, are about 1/3 new tooling, with the Pontiac engine being left out of the mix.

[Straightliner59]

On 12/15/2023 at 7:52 PM, Fat Brian said:

Here's a link to buy the engine Ace is talking about, I agree it's your best option for a hot but not full race 392. I've bought from this seller a lot and has good experiences.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/115938165131?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=Vx5zeMoiSYW&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=CNi_i6G9QKy&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

I have bought from him, too. Probably a couple of times. No issues at all.

[MeatMan]

10 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Nope.

First off, it's not a Chrysler hemi. It's a DeSoto, which is an entirely different engine (though produced by Chrysler Corporation in the same period, it shares nothing with the Chrysler-branded engine).

Second, it's in the AMT '53 Ford pickup, not the Revell '56. The optional engine in the Revell '56 is a Pontiac.

K, I'm clearly outta my league.

[Ace-Garageguy]

1 minute ago, MeatMan said:

K, I'm clearly outta my league.

Nah. I just have a head full of mostly useless knowledge.   

[MeatMan]

1 minute ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Nah. I just have a head full of mostly useless knowledge.   

I've lived in Chevy & Ford land all of my adult life. I had a couple of friends with MOPARs, and even helped a guy a couple of times at the track but never spent a lot of time with them.

[Rodent]

Texas 3D also has a "Firepower" Hemi, stock and with two Holley 4-barrels.

[Texas_3D_Customs]

I have all three generations of the Hemi, first two "Firepower" and "Elephant" come in stock all the way to drag variations and in between.

Edited December 27, 2023 by Texas_3D_Customs