I have found the ideal motor to swap into an early Gen1 with a 3.9 ..

A Dodge Red Ram 241cid (3.9L) Hemi! From 1955 and 1956.



Seriously, though; camshaft is like 2" longer than a 3.9 camshaft; so it looks like using a short shaft water pump (probably a modded SBC pump; the original pump has been NLA for so long, most folks don't even know it HAD a water pump!), and an electric fan.

More info at: https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hm...i/3730921.html .

Notice how short that motor is overall ... they're known as Baby Hemis for a reason.

RwP

 

What other parts can't you get anymore?

Dodge made a whole slew of hemis thru the 50's and 60's. I had a "Super Red Ram", that was something like 345 CI. As a basket case, it sold for 500 bucks on Ebay.....

 

Pistons are available; rods are available; cams are available; valves, springs, rocker arms all available.

There's even a 4 barrel intake for it; that'll fit something like a Holley Sniper or what not for EFI.

Distributors are available (there's a Chevy distributor that fits and works, according to the hot rod sites I pawed through).

I'm not so sure about flywheels, bell housings, et al; or even adapters to fit, say, a 46RH/A518.

RwP

 

Added: Yep, I can use a 318/360 dizzy.

The 4 barrel intake is still available.

An adapter that uses a A518/A727 transmission is available; also a flex plate to match.

http://hothemiheads.com/dodge/index.html

RwP

 

With all that just swap in a 5.3 vortec. At least youd actually have some power and get better mpgs.

 

Heh. But it wouldn't be a hemi! *grins*

This is a mental exercise; besides, not all motor swaps are just for HP and MPG. That 241 or a 270 would be neat for Just'Cuz.

RwP

 

The one complaint I had about those motors was, they were HEAVY. The castings were incredibly beefy. (I think the motor I had was out of a fire truck.....) but, not a lot of power..... of course, that part could be addressed to some extent.

The novelty factor would be off the charts though.

 

I think you get it *grins*

Pop up pistons to get compression a bit higher than 7:1, a good cam, and pair it with, say, a Holley Sniper EFI setup and a HEI type ignition.

Besides, the burble of a Hemi is ... intoxicating!

RwP

 

If you swap to a hemi, or baby hemi, 5.3 GM, 4bt diesel, 5.2-5.9 magnum, I would love to see it and read about it!! Variety is what makes vehicles cool IMO.
If on the other hand, I just wanted what was best, I would go buy a new truck......

 

Ayep!

The problem for me right now is, I need some monies.

Shucks, I don't have the cash to rebuild the CURRENT 3.9, much less a Red Ram 3.9L V8 *grins*

But that'd be a cool motor in one. Not the fastest, not the most muscular, not the best gas mileage; but cool.

RwP