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Turning a 383 into a real hemi?

Jayzee - head over to the HAMB, those guys deal exclusively with vehicles built before 67 (I think it is) and there are lots of guys who have been working on those cars for 40+ years. They will give you a very definitive answer; not saying someone here can't or won't but I know the guys at the HAMB definitely will and there are several guys that are very Mopar centric, they were super helpful for me.
 
The head swap will work. The lifters and push rods will also have the be changed to the newer design.
Unless your just want to use the older design short block the later 383 and front engine plate would allow for a greater selection of transmissions. I don't know if the old 383 utilized a studded rear crank flange or a bolted flange.
 
I'm confused.....Since a "real" Hemi engine heads have studs on the underneath of the intake passages and has cast/machined bosses on the lifter side of the block to accept the head studs (which are situated directly under the intake port) and secured with nuts, I'm not sure how you can retrofit hemi heads to a B/RB block unless it's a hemi block plus all of the other valve train components....please explain....
BOB RENTON
 
I'm confused.....Since a "real" Hemi engine heads have studs on the underneath of the intake passages and has cast/machined bosses on the lifter side of the block to accept the head studs (which are situated directly under the intake port) and secured with nuts, I'm not sure how you can retrofit hemi heads to a B/RB block unless it's a hemi block plus all of the other valve train components....please explain....
BOB RENTON
Just got to add meat to the block for the rest off the hemi head to sit on and then fabricate an intake to fit.
 
Just got to add meat to the block for the rest off the hemi head to sit on and then fabricate an intake to fit.
Is the "meat" you refer to, the cast and machined stud bosses on the lifter side of the block? If so, what type of material are you using and how do you attach it to the existing block? Do the rocker dhaft oil supply passsges on the hemi head line up with the existing oil supply passages? Do the coolant passages line up as well? Will the block require sress relieving after welding on the stud bosses? How do begin to fabricate the intake manifold as the hemi configuration is totally different in shape, area and port approach angle? Would you custom cast a manifold or make it out of pipe and a welded plenium? There are very few people that have the skill, ability and resources to accomplish this formidable task.....perhaps its just wishful thinking...just my opinion of course.
BOB RENTON
 
This reminds me of bolt on BOOBs! Either it's a HEMI or it's NOT:popcorn:
Love this post! I believe you can bolt on Stage V Engineering Hemi conversion heads on a B383 but you still don't have a real Hemi. Do they even make an intake manifold for that conversion or do you have to make your own intake?
 
Love this post! I believe you can bolt on Stage V Engineering Hemi conversion heads on a B383 but you still don't have a real Hemi. Do they even make an intake manifold for that conversion or do you have to make your own intake?
Stage V used to make that intake manifold. I’m not sure they still produce it or the heads. The conversion heads were specific to the B/RB blocks and had external oil drain backs. Even the rocker gear was specific to the conversion heads as the exhaust rockers were much longer than a stock hemi as the pushrods couldn’t lay back as far due to the wedge block not having cast in pushrod reliefs. If I recall, even the wedge block had to be ground for pushrod clearance. I think I could probably do the block mods to get hemi heads on it but it sure wouldn’t be worth the time, effort and expense involved.
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/ccrp-0809-building-hemi-for-less/
 
your only real shot is a STAGE V conversion
find their website
I have done several of their conversions
easy to workwith
some pushrod grinding etc
you will need a hemi cam core and all the valve train parts
manifold will be fun mighthave to cut a RB manifold up Hilborns will be easiest
getting compression is tough with small cu in hemis
Hemi heads work best with blowers or large cu in
talk to the stage V guys about it
 
your only real shot is a STAGE V conversion
find their website
I have done several of their conversions
easy to workwith
some pushrod grinding etc
you will need a hemi cam core and all the valve train parts
manifold will be fun mighthave to cut a RB manifold up Hilborns will be easiest
getting compression is tough with small cu in hemis
Hemi heads work best with blowers or large cu in
talk to the stage V guys about it
Well,,,,,,you know how to push my buttons:lol:

3.21.16 012.jpg 5.13.15 009.jpg 9.5.15 003.jpg
 
Is the "meat" you refer to, the cast and machined stud bosses on the lifter side of the block? If so, what type of material are you using and how do you attach it to the existing block? Do the rocker dhaft oil supply passsges on the hemi head line up with the existing oil supply passages? Do the coolant passages line up as well? Will the block require sress relieving after welding on the stud bosses? How do begin to fabricate the intake manifold as the hemi configuration is totally different in shape, area and port approach angle? Would you custom cast a manifold or make it out of pipe and a welded plenium? There are very few people that have the skill, ability and resources to accomplish this formidable task.....perhaps its just wishful thinking...just my opinion of course.
BOB RENTON
There use to be a machine race shop in Des Moines, Ia. that use to do the conversion. It wasn't cheap but you had a hemi when they were done.
 
Nope! You had a clone,tribute or recreation................:D
Or you had a circle track car, were trying the meet cubic inch requirements and still have the advantages the hemi offered. I doubt very few of those engines went into street driven cars.
 
I don't want to discourage you, but here is the reality. It is very expensive and hard to find parts for your 59 Desoto four door. Yours is going to take a ton of work depending on what your final build will be. Expensive enough to just rebuild a stock Mopar engine, let alone ANY hemi. I know because I built a 1956 Chrysler and put a 354 hemi in it. A RB 383 is as I recall, a one year engine.I don't know what will interchange on that.. You want to take into consideration what transmission to use , and keep in mind how hard it is to adapt push buttons to non push button transmissions.. You may be better off to go with a little later 383. 413 will go like a stripped assed ape, but also expensive to build.. 440 is the same block size as a 413 and easier and less expensive to get your 400-450 Horses. I recommend you go to the "Forwardlook" website forums...... The thing is, you are going to have to keep the car, because you will never get close to your investment out of it. ...................MO
 
I have a 56 Desoto 330 ci Hemi in my 52 Dodge B3B pickup. I got the Hemi for $250 and then got a quick education on Gen I Hemi's. First off, Pretty much anything before 57-58 does not interchange with anything else; what I mean is that the Desoto Hemi's do not interchange with the Dodge or Chrysler Hemis; same thing between those 2. In 57/58 Chrysler standardized the hemi line. Having said all that, there are some parts commonality between the first Gen hemis and small block Mopars, specifically like the distributor (I am running a SB Electronic ignition on mine). In other words, gen I hemis share more in common with small block Mopars than they do with the big blocks.

You really should check out HAMB.com, also look at what Hotheads.com sells. You are going to find that parts for these motors are not all that easy to come by. No one makes a cam for any of the first gen stuff except the 392; you have to have a core which gets welded up and recut. If you really want to enjoy the car and are not hemi fixated, you are much better off putting in a more modern engine. If you want to stay relatively "old school", then drop a newer 383 or 440 in it; if you don't care all that much about being old school, drop in a 5.7 hemi with modern trans and enjoy it; or go to a junk yard, find a 5.9 (360) and trans and transplant that; you get a roller motor, relatively simple EFI, lots of available parts, serpentine system, etc.
I got a new Isky cam for my ist gen, 354 Hemi from " Hot heads" They can tell you what all they have for early hemi's......MO
 
Drop in a a-440 and matching transmission and you'll get to 450 horsepower easily and cheaper. Schumacher 4 mounts
 
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