Why are hemi builds expensive?

[Fran Blacker]

Buying use Hemi parts you need to know problem areas. Used heads, cracks from spark plug holes to exhaust seats, O-rings heads I'd look over carefully, Heads that have been milled a lot, I'm other guys have more expertise than I. First Hemi I bought had spun bearigs on 3/4 journal crankshaft was beat down 1/8 in diameter. had to line bore it.
Why Hemi pistons cost more, production volume. It costs probably the same to start making them but they sell say 10 wedge pistons to 1 Hemi piston, same is true with any Hemi only part. If you ask me $3100 for new Hemi block is a reasonable price. On ebay a couple of new blocks $5,000 and up. One early this years had 7 or 8 blocks at about 7/8 k each.

 

[Sweet5ltr]

Completely understand the nostalgia factor, I wasn't around in that era so the costs don't make sense over a modern GEN III HEMI. I've never looked at a 426-HEMI badge and necessarily thought, big power, the first thing that comes to my mind is, most expensive 425 - hp, 765 lb engine on Earth.

 

[KENTON]

Why are Hemi builds expensive?
Because there worth it!
Why do men die first?
Because they want to!

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

If it's a aftermarket build with good parts the only real cost difference is the valve train. Aftermarket block, cam, pistons, rods, crank, cam drive, oil pump, pan, pushrods, valve springs are identical in cost. Heads and intakes depend on what you get. That leaves rockers/stands and valve covers. Of couse a stock style 440 is much cheaper.
Doug

As Doug just said,if your building a stout engine starting with a siamesed aftermarket block,the difference is the cost of the rocker gear.You can even buy aluminum heads with the rocker stands cast into the head.Now if your trying to build a correct date coded HEMI,then it will get very pricey! Look at the price of heads,there are several manufacturers making heads.Blocks are becoming available also.

 

[65hemi]

It took me 40 years to get my hemi. As a young punk and then a family guy, a hemi was always just out reach. But I kept and built my big block 71 Cuda through those years. Now I am a little older and finally got my hemi. I get a big smile when I turn the key and that thing starts barking. The car hobby costs $$$ and not for everyone. Enjoy what you can.
As the saying goes, there are 2 kinds of people: those that want a hemi and those that have a hemi.

 

[64BEL]

It took me 40 years to get my hemi. As a young punk and then a family guy, a hemi was always just out reach. But I kept and built my big block 71 Cuda through those years. Now I am a little older and finally got my hemi. I get a big smile when I turn the key and that thing starts barking. The car hobby costs $$$ and not for everyone. Enjoy what you can.
As the saying goes, there are 2 kinds of people: those that want a hemi and those that have a hemi.
View attachment 663672

Exactly the same here - I never thought I'd ever own a Hemi car. But, the stars aligned just right and I kind of fell into it. Huge thanks goes to my parents, who managed to be in a position to leave us kids some money after they were gone. They were not affluent by any stretch of the imagination. For almost all of their 44 year marriage, my Dad was a pastor and my Mom was a homemaker. One income. My Dad passed away in 1994 and left things in order enough for my Mom to be able to live retired. That's right, the Greatest Generation. She passed away in 2016. Their house was paid off plus she had some other money to boot. She managed to leave the 5 of us kids with a nice inheritance, which was the only way I was able to buy the right car at the right time. Add an understanding and supportive wife to that equation.

 

[Craig Jorgensen]

In 2018....

The HEMI was mythical for its time, it used a bulletproof block and rotating assembly, along with having great flowing cylinder heads. ....Today, why bother, Trickflow 270's and 512-cube wedge motor. Easy 700-HP combination with the right intake manifold and camshaft.

I sense that you don’t own a gen 2 hemi.

 

[rolling_Thunder]

personal opinion? The real expensive differences are the

1) block
2) Valvetrain

The block would basically have to be a new cast block - so expect $3500-$5500 for that as oppose to finding a good used 440 block for about $250 on craigslist.

The Heads themselves don't cost THAT much more that a comparable BB head. IE - Edelbrock Victor 440 vs Edelbrock Hemi street head... the huge difference is the cost of rocker arms, rocker shafts, and the pedestals for the shafts. I was pricing out a Hemi and those where the things that stuck out at me.

Inakes... valve covers... cranks... pistons... all comparable in prices for standard 440 stuff. That's what I've come up with.

 

[Fran Blacker]

One thing about used rocker assemblies, shafts and bushings in rockers wear. Had a 80k set they were border line.

 

[Darter6]

As the saying goes, there are 2 kinds of people: those that want a hemi and those that have a hemi.

Totally understand. For me there is nothing that compares to the sound of a HEMI's wail !!! Growing up at the drag strips you didn't have to see it,just HEAR it and you knew. I knew then that one day a HEMI would be mine.

 

[Sweet5ltr]

I sense that you don’t own a gen 2 hemi.

Correct, I’m not 60-years old (or older) like most on this site. There is no nostalgia for me, wasn’t involved in that era, but completely understand the reasoning. Only here once!

 

[Craig Jorgensen]

I’m 45, and if Jegs is telling the truth the block will arrive on Nov 6.

If I wanted a cheap, reliable & powerful engine it would be a chevy, but that would kill the resale value of my Super Bee...

 

[64BEL]

If I wanted a cheap, reliable & powerful engine it would be a chevy, but that would kill the resale value of my Super Bee...

LOL - that would be Blasphemy!!

 

[wyrmrider]

usually you get to pick two
here you have to pick just one