'65 Valiant / 354 Hemi ???'s
Moderators: scottm, TrWaters, 392heminut
'65 Valiant / 354 Hemi ???'s
My Dad and I picked up a '56 354 Hemi, and are going to install it in my Pro-Streeted '65 Valiant. The Valiant retains the stock 170 Slant Six/904, but has been upgraded with a '74 Dart front disc brake set-up, sub-frame connecters, heavy duty cross member, six point roll bar, 18.5 inch Mickey Thompsons, on polished Cragar Super Tricks, with a narrowed 9-inch Ford. We did all the work our selves and wanted to know if anyone had info on installing an early Hemi in an early A-Body? We plan on keeping the motor pretty much stock to keep it streetable, and custom fabrication to install the Hemi is not a problem, we are expecting this adventure to be a big job. So if anyone has their own ten cents that will help us along with the project you can post it here or e-mail me at: SlantFX6@aol.com
I look forward to hearing some replies, this is a great informative site for Hemi guys. Thank, Brian and Gordy
I look forward to hearing some replies, this is a great informative site for Hemi guys. Thank, Brian and Gordy
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I've thought about having one of those trick new K-members with the rack and pinions and narrowing them up to fit in the early A bodies or having on special made to do it. That way you could run a rear sump pan and still probably have room for a set of Hot Heads full length headers. I'm running a mini tubed 64 Valiant with a 340. I like your project keep us posted on how it comes. Got pictures?
Lee
Lee
392 Hemi
354 cracked and needs a sleeve
241 or 270 the only running one I have
340/E-brock heads/six-pack/4-speed/mini tubed/spool-64 Valiant
354 cracked and needs a sleeve
241 or 270 the only running one I have
340/E-brock heads/six-pack/4-speed/mini tubed/spool-64 Valiant
TRwaters is doing a similiar project here. His is a 64 like mine. As for the pictures I think you got to have them on a web site and as your replying to a post there is and img button and you put your web address in(?). I've yet to do this to get my hemi pictures and 64 Valiant pictures posted. I really think that most people are putting these Hemis in older cars. Like from the 20's to the 50's. I'm wanting to put a 392 Hemi in my 81 Dodge pickup or my 86 Ramcharger. I like your plan can't wait to see it when it's done. For easey a small block or big block. Which I'm sure you realize this, but still a Hemi in the lightest A-body. What could be better. There is a guy on moparts(Abodyjoe) has a 64 with a 440 in it.
Lee
Lee
392 Hemi
354 cracked and needs a sleeve
241 or 270 the only running one I have
340/E-brock heads/six-pack/4-speed/mini tubed/spool-64 Valiant
354 cracked and needs a sleeve
241 or 270 the only running one I have
340/E-brock heads/six-pack/4-speed/mini tubed/spool-64 Valiant
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- Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
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Re: 65 Valiant / 354 Hemi ???'s
You might not like this idea.....but if I was going to put an early hemi into the narrow confines of a '65 Valiant, I'd probably do away with the stock K member, shock towers and inner fenderwells altogether. I'd fabricate or buy a complete 2'X3' or so, rectangular tube stub frame and then fit a Pinto rack and suspension with a pair of coil overs. This way, engine width, header, steering box and oil pan clearance would cease to be an issue and you'd have room for virtually any engine you wanted, even a 392 or 426 hemi.
I probably wouldn't run inner fenderwells, but if you wanted them, you could fabricate them from aluminum, once everything was together and the engine was in, at least for a mock up.
While you're at it you might as well run the tubes from the stub frame all the way back to the rear spring mounts to tie the car together. Heck, then you may as well move the spring perches inboard, tub and back-half the car at same time! See where this going?!! That's why I started by saying "you might not like this idea"!<grin>
mart
I probably wouldn't run inner fenderwells, but if you wanted them, you could fabricate them from aluminum, once everything was together and the engine was in, at least for a mock up.
While you're at it you might as well run the tubes from the stub frame all the way back to the rear spring mounts to tie the car together. Heck, then you may as well move the spring perches inboard, tub and back-half the car at same time! See where this going?!! That's why I started by saying "you might not like this idea"!<grin>
mart
HEY THERE GUYS,
JUST GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THE 65 VALIANT/ 354 HEMI PROJECT, WE JUST PULLED THE MOTOR OUT LAST WEEKEND AFTER A COUPLE MONTHS OF STUFFING IT IN THE VALIANT, NOW WE JUST HAVE TO FINISH PAINTING AND FITTING ALL THE SMALL DETAILS. WE DID MAINTAIN THE STOCK INNER FENDER WELLS AND STOCK FRONT SUSPENSION WITH THE STEERING BOX AND DRAG LINK. IT IS TIGHT BUT WILL WORK, THE EXHAUST IS ALL CUSTOM, UTILIZING THE STOCK HEMI EXHAUST MANIFOLDS. FABRICATED OUR OWN ENGINE MOUNTS TO THE ORIGINAL K-FRAME, WE ARE RUNNING A TH350 CHEVY TRANS WITH AN ADAPTER FROM HOT HEADS. THE FIREWALL WAS RELOACTED BACK 1 1/2 " FOR BELL HOUSING CLEARANCE THUS THE ORIGINAL TRANS TUNNEL HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REMOVED DUE TO NOT ENOUGH CLEARANCE AND A NEW ONE MADE. IT WAS ALOT FITTING AND FABRICATING SOME CUSTOM STUFF BUT WE LOOK TO HAVE IT ON THE ROAD THIS SUMMER.
THANKS BRIAN & GORDY[size=18][/size]
JUST GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THE 65 VALIANT/ 354 HEMI PROJECT, WE JUST PULLED THE MOTOR OUT LAST WEEKEND AFTER A COUPLE MONTHS OF STUFFING IT IN THE VALIANT, NOW WE JUST HAVE TO FINISH PAINTING AND FITTING ALL THE SMALL DETAILS. WE DID MAINTAIN THE STOCK INNER FENDER WELLS AND STOCK FRONT SUSPENSION WITH THE STEERING BOX AND DRAG LINK. IT IS TIGHT BUT WILL WORK, THE EXHAUST IS ALL CUSTOM, UTILIZING THE STOCK HEMI EXHAUST MANIFOLDS. FABRICATED OUR OWN ENGINE MOUNTS TO THE ORIGINAL K-FRAME, WE ARE RUNNING A TH350 CHEVY TRANS WITH AN ADAPTER FROM HOT HEADS. THE FIREWALL WAS RELOACTED BACK 1 1/2 " FOR BELL HOUSING CLEARANCE THUS THE ORIGINAL TRANS TUNNEL HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REMOVED DUE TO NOT ENOUGH CLEARANCE AND A NEW ONE MADE. IT WAS ALOT FITTING AND FABRICATING SOME CUSTOM STUFF BUT WE LOOK TO HAVE IT ON THE ROAD THIS SUMMER.
THANKS BRIAN & GORDY[size=18][/size]
Possible pictures, of 65 Valiant with 354 HEMI!!!
Hey there,
Brian again, there are some photos my 354 HEMI Valiant on the ChicagoLandMopar.com website from the Mopar Happenning 2005. There is a good picture of the motor and one the car, with no hood yet, but check it out and let us know what you think. I have put about 1000 miles on it since then, it runs and goes down the road great.
Thanks Brian & Gordy
http://www.chicagolandmopar.com/photos/ ... _0923.html
http://www.chicagolandmopar.com/photos/ ... _0853.html
Brian again, there are some photos my 354 HEMI Valiant on the ChicagoLandMopar.com website from the Mopar Happenning 2005. There is a good picture of the motor and one the car, with no hood yet, but check it out and let us know what you think. I have put about 1000 miles on it since then, it runs and goes down the road great.
Thanks Brian & Gordy
http://www.chicagolandmopar.com/photos/ ... _0923.html
http://www.chicagolandmopar.com/photos/ ... _0853.html
valiant
Great job guys.
Early hemi to late sb Mopar trans adapters. Precision billet parts for early hemis.
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Re: '65 Valiant / 354 Hemi ???'s
Many years late here but I'm hoping the OP will see this and respond.
I'm doing a very similar swap. 392 into a 66 Dart. Just did some preliminary measuring(slant six is still in car).
Some questions if *fingers crossed* you stumble onto this. Or anyone else with suggestions...
How did you relocate the master cylinder? I think mine has to come over at least 4 inches. I vaguely remember reading somewhere that a kit is/was available from Mopar. Is that what you used or did you fabricate what you needed? If you fabricated, just how did you do that? My car has a clutch and I was wondering about the feasibilty of connecting the MC to the clutch pedal, since I'm most likely to go with a torqueflite(I have the adapter) and the clutch pedal itself is not needed. Doesn't look too hard to elongate the clutch pedal footpad into a wide pedal and eliminate the old brake pedal. All this assuming that having the brake linkage further to the left of car would help in the relocation of the MC. But maybe the MC relocation kit(if available) would eliminate all that?
Tunnel. Were you able to retain the stock heater and vents?
Steering box. I'm glad to hear you were able to keep the stock unit in place. I have both, stock exhust manifolds and a set of block hugger shorties. If necasary to get the headers in, do you think its possible to move the steering box forward or to the left a little bit? Just how close a fit was it for you...exhaust to steering box?
Sorry to bump a very old thread. Nobody minds though, right?
I'm doing a very similar swap. 392 into a 66 Dart. Just did some preliminary measuring(slant six is still in car).
Some questions if *fingers crossed* you stumble onto this. Or anyone else with suggestions...
How did you relocate the master cylinder? I think mine has to come over at least 4 inches. I vaguely remember reading somewhere that a kit is/was available from Mopar. Is that what you used or did you fabricate what you needed? If you fabricated, just how did you do that? My car has a clutch and I was wondering about the feasibilty of connecting the MC to the clutch pedal, since I'm most likely to go with a torqueflite(I have the adapter) and the clutch pedal itself is not needed. Doesn't look too hard to elongate the clutch pedal footpad into a wide pedal and eliminate the old brake pedal. All this assuming that having the brake linkage further to the left of car would help in the relocation of the MC. But maybe the MC relocation kit(if available) would eliminate all that?
Tunnel. Were you able to retain the stock heater and vents?
Steering box. I'm glad to hear you were able to keep the stock unit in place. I have both, stock exhust manifolds and a set of block hugger shorties. If necasary to get the headers in, do you think its possible to move the steering box forward or to the left a little bit? Just how close a fit was it for you...exhaust to steering box?
Sorry to bump a very old thread. Nobody minds though, right?
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Re: '65 Valiant / 354 Hemi ???'s
YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!
What a neat deal. Now, that's what I call a clean engine swap.
Hopefully, you guys are still on this site and can respond with some more pix.
I'd love to do something similar.
Danny
What a neat deal. Now, that's what I call a clean engine swap.
Hopefully, you guys are still on this site and can respond with some more pix.
I'd love to do something similar.
Danny