Our 331 Chrysler Hemi will be bolted to a top-loader four-speed before it goes between the 'rails of our '34 Ford roadster. It will be a great driver with plenty of torque on tap.
We used '54 heads (note the oval exhaust ports) on our '53 block. Other than blending the bowl/port area, the heads are stock. Valves are stainless replacements from Hot Heads.
There are a number of options when it comes to Hemi pushrods. From left to right: stock with 1/4-inch ball end; 5/16-inch ball end for later hydraulics; and 3/8-inch ball for some solid lifters.
Even though we used hydraulic lifters, we opted for adjustable pushrods from Smith Brothers. Since they can be difficult to access once in place, John Beck installed and measured one pair, and then used those dimensions to set the remainder.
Once the rockers and pushrods were in place, adjustments were double-checked to ensure the plungers in the lifters were in the middle of their travel.
There aren't many options for mounting accessories on early Hemi heads. We enlarged the original 5/16-inch hole in the right-side head, drilled a second, tapped both 3/8-16, and then installed a pair of studs. The alternator mount was made from 1/2-inch aluminum, and an additional steel strap was added for support.
The alternator tensioner was made from tubing and two rod ends. It attaches to a homemade angle iron bracket that also mounts a remote thermostat housing; a pair of -10 braided lines connect it to outlets in the intake manifold.
Hot Heads offers a number of mounts for installing a modern spin-on filter; we chose the 90-degree style.
These are intermediate shafts that drive the oil pump. Lengths may vary depending on the distributor used. Our MSD requires a stock '51-56 shaft.
We opted for an MSD Pro-Billet, ready-to-run distributor for a hassle-free ignition system. PN 8391 is a drop-in for 331-354 low-deck Chryslers (PN 8389 is for 392s).
We mounted a pair of Moon breathers on the Hot Heads rocker covers to make a PCV system. The top of the breather was blocked off on the right rocker cover.
A fitting was installed in the bottom of the right breather, and a hose with an inline PCV valve connects to the base of the Demon carburetor.