Engine Advice

[Hud]

Does anyone have any experience with Desoto Fire Dome, engines?  I found one in the middle of nowhere and did a little internet research to find out that these engines were actually like 1st generation HEMI's.  I know that a resto of it is going to be pricey but am curious if anyone had advice or suggestions on this purchase.

The engine comes with a matching, original 3-Speed manual transmission, drive shaft, cross member, and radiator originating from a 1953 Desoto that was scrapped.  I will be picking this beast up tonight unless some of you have some very harsh words on the subject.  I want something to build for my 73' Charger but don't want to tamper with the numbers matching 440.  I do not know what I am getting myself into in terms of linking everything up and making everything fit once the project comes to fruition, ie. Oil pan, cross member...  Where to get performance parts for a motor from the 50's.

[lisiecki1]

if the price is right i'd pick them up just on principal.....how cool of a find!

[Patronus]

Sounds cool. Looks cool. Maybe not in your Charger tho' 
To each his own. Try hard enough and you could probably put that in anything.

[Hud]

Picked it up today and by the grace of God found my first Mopar Connection in Chevy Country.  The engine was in much better shape than I had anticipated, and you can visually see the history.  I think the coolest part is the markings which include the Desoto logo with the reset of Chrysler. 

lisiecki1 - The price was right, I got this complete engine and much more for what a raped, rusty block goes for on the internet.  Furthermore I finally met someone on the NC coast that can help me find seeming extinct parts.  As a bonus I got another Ralley Dash gauge cluster that works from a Road Runner to replace mine, among other small parts that I needed.

patronus - I haven't decided that I am in fact going to put this in the the 73, It was one of those things that I wanted and that was my justification.  I will evaluate that later down the road.  As for now I'm going to drive my 440 while the weather is nice, for a couple weeks before I leave to go to Korea for a year.  I will have plenty of time to map out what I want to do with both engines, and map out the future of the Charger.  For all I care I could sell the engine if I was offered the right price or simply set it up as a drunken display piece in the garage.

[greenpigs]

Dunno about the Charger but tossing that motor in a 30's Mopar coupe would be my plan.

Not a rat rod either, I always liked all the candy & pearl paint jobs from back in the 50's.

[Patronus]

That thing is pretty sweet. Korea eh? Been there, UNC-JSF Panmunjom 91-92. "In front of them All"

[ITSA426]

It even looks heavy but it could be fun to play with.

[Troy]

Cool engine! There's a member here with an old style Hemi in his Charger and I saw another several years ago with a 392. However, they have a reputation of being rather expensive boat anchors (especially when up against a 426 Hemi or 413/426/440 wedge). I'd definitely put one in an old rod/custom but not in a muscle car. I have a friend who is looking one for a street rod (think chopped, sectioned, scalloped, with pearl paint) and I've been tossing around the idea of grabbing a 40 Ford pickup locally that doesn't have an engine in it. Of course, putting it back into a DeSoto would also be cool!

Troy

[PocketThunder]

I rebuilt the numbers matching 440 in my Charger and put it back in and i drive 2000 miles year with it.  Dont be afraid of ruining it since its numbers matching.  Keep that desoto engine for a street rod someday..   

[Chatt69chgr]

I also think that the best place for that hemi is in a street rod. 

[Hud]

I appreciate all the feedback.  Its kinda cool that anyone but me would actually like this...  I have been thinking about it and I think finding a old mopar from around the same era, to build a street rod would best fit this engine.  I suppose the search is on... I'm getting further away from getting a 68 charger going this route but I have no problem remaining humble with the 73.  Its all about the enjoyment and honestly if I'm going to go 50's Im not even going to start to go original, just personalization.   

[PocketThunder]

Cool engine! There's a member here with an old style Hemi in his Charger and I saw another several years ago with a 392. Troy

Here it is, the duktona thread.  Hud, read this:   http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,27469.0.html

[Richard Cranium]

For all I care I could sell the engine if I was offered the right price or simply set it up as a drunken display piece in the garage.

That would be the plan to pursue. Rebuilding that old boat anchor and mounting it in your engine bay will prove to be more trouble than it's worth.