red ram hemi

[stroker mike]

Hey, folks! There is a red ram hemi for sale on craigslist complete for 500, isn't that the first hemi? Can anyone tell me about this motor and what could be done with it? I suspect it may not be practical for a modern performance build, but maybe a ripper rat rod??

[Dick]

Originally Posted by stroker mike

Hey, folks! There is a red ram hemi for sale on craigslist complete for 500, isn't that the first hemi? Can anyone tell me about this motor and what could be done with it? I suspect it may not be practical for a modern performance build, but maybe a ripper rat rod??

The Red Ram Hemi was introduced in Dodges in 1953. The Chrysler Firepower Hemi came out in 1951.

[dwc43]

Get a catalog from PAW. They have one just for these early Hemi engines. It will cost you to build it though. That's why I sold mine years ago. The A727 will bolt to it. And it will make decent power, but for the same money spent on a good 440, it will walk the dog on an old Hemi.

[sanborn]

I am not an expert on the early hemis---but this is what I know!

Chrysler introduced their Firedome hemi in 1951, Desoto introduced their Fireflite in 1952 and Dodge introduced their Red Ram hemi in 1953. All three were completely different engines. The Desoto engine had almost the same bore spacing as the later LA engine. The Chrysler had a wider bore spacing and the Dodge had a narrower bore spacing. That made the Red Ram a shorter engine than the LA engine.

All three engines used typical design for that era---small bore/long stroke which produced good torque but also limited high RPM capabilities. The Dodge engine was available in 241, 270 and 325" sizes. The Desoto was available in 290, 315 and 340" sizes and the Chrysler was available in 331, 354 and 392" sizes. Parts would not interchange even between the same brand---there were short deck and tall deck versions.

They were very potent engines for that era. The little Dodge engine dominated hydroplane racing in the 50s, the Chrysler dominated TF racing for many years(purists claim the early 1954-55 head was a better iron head than the later 426 hemi). And Desotos were very competitive in drag racing(several even ran at Indy in destroked form). Lots and lots of hard core race parts were available(Hilborn injectors, Vertex magnetos, roller cams, race pistons, etc.) Some is still available today---but mostly for the Chrysler hemi.

How potent are they? I know of one 340" Chrysler(bored 331") that produces slightly under 600HP on gas---so they are still fairly serious engines by even todays standards.

The choice is yours!!!

[dwc43]

Sanborn, do you want a couple of these things? I found some a couple weeks ago right here in our back yard so to speak.
I was looking at truck axles at James Thornberry's in El Bethel. HE's got an old Desoto behind his moms house and it has an engine in it, but I could not, ( or did not) get the hood open enough to make sure it's a Hemi. There's a Hemi laying upside down right beside of it. Missing a valve cover and I did get it rolled over enough to see it was a Hemi. Still has the converter and clutch on the back of it too and the oil filter can too.

[peg leg]

That engine would make a very special rat rod. The age, history and rarity make it something very attractive. I think it would be a great idea.
Ron

[sanborn]

dwc---I have too many projects now! Besides, it would be too expensive---my wife might divorce me!

[dwc43]

WEll, we don't want that to happen now do we. Just thought I'd give a heads up since I ran into it. And it might cost a bit just to get it from James. He wanted $50 for an '84 truck grill that I can buy new for $50 from J.C. Whitney, Acme, and I don't know how many more truck mags has it for $50.