'53 Red Ram hemi.

Cojohnso1 · Aug 15, 2019

I have a chance to pick up a '53 Red Ram hemi. 241 ci V8. I guess it's only 7:1 compression. Looks interesting. But of course "What to do with a baby hemi build?"

Just may be too small to push anything. Especially from mid 50s. I know once upon a time they were cute Roadster motor option. But in today's world?

65wgn440 · Aug 15, 2019

Some sort of Rat Rod throw together.

493 Mike · Aug 15, 2019

One of my favorite memories from college was getting to rebuild a 241 that belonged to a Flint, MI Chevy dealership. It had held the flying mile record (don't quote me on the class-it was 49 years ago) on water-in a boat. It had domed pistons, milled main caps with longer bolts and steel straps reinforcing the caps, roller cam, Vertex mag, and Hilborn fuel injection. The boat had a mishap and sunk and the engine builder was busy at the time so the engine was filled with oil and stored until my Ferris State College Auto Machine Shop instructor assigned the project to Ray and me (only 2 Mopar guys in the class). It was lots of fun as we sent the mag out to Vertex for refurbishing, installed a solid flat tappet cam and flat top pistons along with checking all the critical stuff. It had a custom flat bottom oil pan (boat) and chrome zoomie headers. Oh, it was also an alcohol motor.
When it was ready to ship the original builder came over to Big Rapids with some fuel and we fired that rascal up right there on the machine shop floor. Talk about loud!!!!
Today everyone in class would have to have hearing protection and some sort of permit also I suppose.
Gotta love memories!
Mike

5.7 hemi · Aug 15, 2019

You just pick it up, send it to me, and all your worries will be gone.

Cojohnso1 · Aug 15, 2019

5.7 hemi said:
You just pick it up, send it to me, and all your worries will be gone.

It's not free. But less than $1k for entire motor that runs. It actually might make a fun Stocker or Super Stock build? Being the motor is so small on cubes. It should have some advantages as per rules and class. But 1953 is not the best drag race car selection. In fact. Not my cup of tea on the whole '53 Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth or Desoto lineup.

5.7 hemi · Aug 15, 2019

Well, I tried.

Seems like a fair price for it.

Photon440 · Aug 15, 2019

Don't those early hemis have an extended bellhousing cast into the block? Might be hard to fit a decent transmission without more machining and an adapter plate.

Cojohnso1 · Aug 15, 2019

Photon440 said:
Don't those early hemis have an extended bellhousing cast into the block? Might be hard to fit a decent transmission without more machining and an adapter plate.

Not sure. I'm betting there would be a bit of a learning curve. Wouldn't surprise me to run into a few surprises.

wyrmrider · Aug 16, 2019

Clay Smith had one in his flatbottom or was it a direct drive driver in the rear boat- I forget
We had a step hydro we got from the owner of El Monte's "5 Points" shopping center Crwford
then known as "Crawford's Corner"
we could not beat Clay with a SBC in the hydro
Hemi in his alcohol motor
that's as in "alcohol cough cough"
Would be great in a boat or Roadster where you could see it

Bobby Sixkiller · Aug 18, 2019

50s model dodge pickup. Or an A body. Or a Dakota. Man I could find so many places for a old hemi.

Challenger340 · Aug 18, 2019

Cojohnso1 said:
I have a chance to pick up a '53 Red Ram hemi. 241 ci V8. I guess it's only 7:1 compression. Looks interesting. But of course "What to do with a baby hemi build?"

Just may be too small to push anything. Especially from mid 50s. I know once upon a time they were cute Roadster motor option. But in today's world?

If it's complete and a runner I'd go for it, if for no other reason than they are getting very rare and someone is always looking for the eye candy "Hemi" look in Rods !
I know a few guys right now would easily buck up for that !

33 IMP · Aug 18, 2019

Those little hemis, the de soto and dodge, were terrors on the salt. Good head flow for the displacement .

'53 Red Ram hemi.

Cojohnso1

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65wgn440

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493 Mike

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5.7 hemi

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Cojohnso1

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5.7 hemi

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Photon440

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Cojohnso1

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wyrmrider

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Bobby Sixkiller

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Challenger340

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33 IMP

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