Early Hemi Story - Looking for info

[68Charger70rr]

Hi everyone, not sure if this is the correct spot for this but I’m basically looking for info on a motor I just purchased. I recently acquired a fresh built 1941 Willy’s coupe hotrod project that has a 1964 426 hemi in it. The fellow I purchased the car from was the one that built the car and he purchased(traded) the motor from Walt Austin (Walt Austin Racing) before he died - I guess they were drag racing buddies.

Walt said the motor had an interesting history, apparently he (Walt) was friends with Don Garlits got this hemi from Don at some point in the past. Don told him that he had acquired the motor from Richard Petty racing and that they (Petty Racing) were the original owners of the motor in 64. Of course Walt Austin passed away a few years ago but I did call Walt Austin Racing and spoke to the machinist who confirmed the above story.
Unfortunatley there is no paperwork to ‘prove’ any of this is true. The previous owner and the machinist at Walt Austin Racing told me it was hemi #40. I’d love to be able to prove this story is accurate.

I’m wondering what info I should be looking for on the motor or if there’s any sort of registry for the pre production race hemis? I have reached out to Petty racing but haven’t got a response yet. Thanks in advance for your help. Tyler

 

[64BEL]

Cool find. Petty may have some info. I believe that at least some of their Hemis were marked. I'll be following this story.

 

[RR Fan Dan]

Cool story. Post up some pics of the Willy

 

[68Charger70rr]

Here’s a couple

 

[AR67GTX]

Wow, and I thought these motors are a tight fit in a B-body.

 

[64BEL]

This is where I read about at least some Petty engines having markings.

The King’s First Elephant

"In 2008, Roy Gobczynski and business partner Boris Bonutti visited that barn while searching for Superbirds, 440-powered Mopars, and rare Chrysler parts. Roy lifted a sheet of military canvas that covered the Hemi and saw a dual-four-barrel carburetor intake. The owner wasn't certain of the engine's origins but was firm on the fact that it wasn't for sale. "It was pretty much a fluke just running across [the Hemi]. We left that day not thinking anything about it," Roy said. He later visited and recorded some of the engine's markings including a large "PE" stamped on the bottom of the block. After some time passed, the owner called Roy needing money to pay for his brother's medical bills and sold him the Hemi."

 

[68Charger70rr]

This is where I read about at least some Petty engines having markings.

The King’s First Elephant

"In 2008, Roy Gobczynski and business partner Boris Bonutti visited that barn while searching for Superbirds, 440-powered Mopars, and rare Chrysler parts. Roy lifted a sheet of military canvas that covered the Hemi and saw a dual-four-barrel carburetor intake. The owner wasn't certain of the engine's origins but was firm on the fact that it wasn't for sale. "It was pretty much a fluke just running across [the Hemi]. We left that day not thinking anything about it," Roy said. He later visited and recorded some of the engine's markings including a large "PE" stamped on the bottom of the block. After some time passed, the owner called Roy needing money to pay for his brother's medical bills and sold him the Hemi."

Thanks for that it’s interesting. I’ll get the car on the joist and have a good look for a PE stamp.

 

[Geoff 2]

Block looks like it had a brace over the freeze plug to stop it 'departing' the block...

 

[Budnicks]

Here’s a couple

View attachment 1892031

View attachment 1892032

View attachment 1892033

View attachment 1892034

Nice Rod, Willys 39-41's are my favorite Gasser/Rods body styles
especially with a 426 Hemi in them
I like the stance too

the casting date 5-4-64 is an early block for sure
any # of Chrysler Corp./Dodge/Plymouth sponsored race teams of the day,
could have been the org. owner...

Richard Petty, Don Garlits, is the most famous/recognized of most of them...
Walt Austin is no slouch either, or his kid Pat for that matter...
all big names to drop (?)

good luck

 

[Budnicks]

Many of the racers blocks when they went into a machine shop
other than their own private shops
had the Owners name or a specific car # etc.
all stamped into the oil pan rails
up by the timing cover underside front of the blocks, it was normal practices...
(when they were stood on end/back, it was easy to read or see who's was who's at the shop)

I saw a shitload of them in Joe Pisano's & Kieth Black's shops back in the day...
(also Ed Pink, Paul Pfaff, Mondello, Al Bush etc., Long Beach Gang's members)
well back in my day, later 70s, when I came of age, they were still commonplace