Author Topic: opportunity to buy a 426 hemi.....  (Read 4679 times)

Offline all4rocks

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opportunity to buy a 426 hemi.....
« on: April 21, 2015 - 01:47:00 AM »
I have the opportunity to buy a dual quad 426 hemi. What should I look for? engine is not in a car. was removed from one a couple years ago. Anything I should check or look for?
He is asking 12K




Offline cudabob496

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Re: opportunity to buy a 426 hemi.....
« Reply #1 on: April 21, 2015 - 02:04:46 AM »
So, before it was removed, was it running well?
What is history on engine? How long did the guy have it?
Had he rebuilt it? etc  What is it out of??
72 Cuda, owned 25 years. 496, with ported Stage VI heads, .625 in solid roller, 254/258 at .050, 3500 stall, 3.91 rear. 850 Holley DP, Reverse manual valve body.

1999 Trans Am, LS1, heads, cam, headers, stall, etc! Love to surprise the rice rockets with this one. They seem so confident, then it's "what the heck just happened?"

2011 Kawasaki Z1000

Offline all4rocks

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Re: opportunity to buy a 426 hemi.....
« Reply #2 on: April 21, 2015 - 09:49:17 AM »
I was told it was a running engine that was in his 69 superbee which he still has. He says he pulled it out because "it was too much". Still has the superbee sitting there with no motor in it. He said he has a 440 to put back in it. Hemi has been rebuilt. I will ask about receipts for the rebuild.

Where would I look for a date code and how do I read it? Isnt there a street hemi and a race hemi? difference?
« Last Edit: April 21, 2015 - 09:52:18 AM by all4rocks »

Offline ToxicWolf

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Re: opportunity to buy a 426 hemi.....
« Reply #3 on: April 21, 2015 - 11:04:16 AM »
Ask him if it has already been bored and by how much.  :2cents:

Offline Oldschool

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Re: opportunity to buy a 426 hemi.....
« Reply #4 on: April 21, 2015 - 11:10:56 AM »
Not sure I would drop that much coin on an unknown engine.....   :2cents:

Gather more info and then decide if you want to spend that much on it....    :cheers:
Ken  --  In Georgia

MOPAR-------"Built To Run------Here To Stay"

Offline cudabob496

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Re: opportunity to buy a 426 hemi.....
« Reply #5 on: April 21, 2015 - 12:33:47 PM »
Does not make sense. An original Hemi Superbee, and he
wants to put in a 440?  The Hemi must be toast!
72 Cuda, owned 25 years. 496, with ported Stage VI heads, .625 in solid roller, 254/258 at .050, 3500 stall, 3.91 rear. 850 Holley DP, Reverse manual valve body.

1999 Trans Am, LS1, heads, cam, headers, stall, etc! Love to surprise the rice rockets with this one. They seem so confident, then it's "what the heck just happened?"

2011 Kawasaki Z1000

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: opportunity to buy a 426 hemi.....
« Reply #6 on: April 21, 2015 - 12:40:25 PM »
Production or race are very similar except for the internal parts , Date code is cast in the side of the block
Is it an original 66-70 block ? Most are wounded , look for welds alone the pan rails etc .
 You should be able to get an all new Mopar one for similar $$ so there better be something special about this one .

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline HP2

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Re: opportunity to buy a 426 hemi.....
« Reply #7 on: April 21, 2015 - 01:19:41 PM »
I'm betting its a later model crate engine.

If its an original era block, there will be casting and stamping numbers on the side of the block and above the oil pan rail.

Offline HP_Cuda

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Re: opportunity to buy a 426 hemi.....
« Reply #8 on: April 21, 2015 - 08:28:32 PM »

Like others have said, a great many have been roached after years of racing and you'll find some bad welds all over the place.

Heck if it looks good and checks out - tell him you might hand some cash over after seeing it run on an engine stand.
1970 Cuda Clone 440 4 speed - sublime green
1970 Cuda 383 4 speed - yellow - SOLD

Offline cudabob496

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Re: opportunity to buy a 426 hemi.....
« Reply #9 on: April 21, 2015 - 08:33:01 PM »
probably got cracks in all the wrong places
72 Cuda, owned 25 years. 496, with ported Stage VI heads, .625 in solid roller, 254/258 at .050, 3500 stall, 3.91 rear. 850 Holley DP, Reverse manual valve body.

1999 Trans Am, LS1, heads, cam, headers, stall, etc! Love to surprise the rice rockets with this one. They seem so confident, then it's "what the heck just happened?"

2011 Kawasaki Z1000

Offline all4rocks

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Re: opportunity to buy a 426 hemi.....
« Reply #10 on: April 21, 2015 - 08:41:02 PM »
Does not make sense. An original Hemi Superbee, and he
wants to put in a 440?  The Hemi must be toast!

No, This is a factory 383 car not a hemi. he had the hemi in it and took it out.

Offline 734406pk

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Re: opportunity to buy a 426 hemi.....
« Reply #11 on: April 21, 2015 - 09:01:52 PM »
Pull the oil pan etc and have it checked out. It's just a few gaskets. But as said its not priced far off of a new Hemi.
1973 Challenger 440 6 pack auto 3.91 rear
2012 Dodge Ram 3500 dually 6.7 Cummins Fleece EFI Live
1973 Challenger 318 2bbl auto 2.73 rear 22.5 mpg RIP
1970 Challenger TA 340 4bbl auto-Sold and sad
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Offline BIGSHCLUNK

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Re: opportunity to buy a 426 hemi.....
« Reply #12 on: April 21, 2015 - 10:35:33 PM »
IMHO.... PRICE after you gather all the info you can.  :grinyes:
70 Chally R/T Convertible- Yes she's really got a HEMI, no she's not a Charger!
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                                              [o o o o]
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Offline HP2

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Re: opportunity to buy a 426 hemi.....
« Reply #13 on: April 22, 2015 - 10:34:38 AM »
Mancini sells a 426 cid, single carb, 465 horse crate engine for $14,305 so you're getting a $2k discount on a used set up. How used  seems to be the question.

Clarify with him where the Hemi came from and what the mileage may be. I think everyone agrees that vintage units can be somewhat suspect. However, some of the early crate offerings had some questionable assemblies in them as well, so they aren't a slam dunk that they are good. However, I think the odds of a later model version having more meat to rebuild on are probably better than the same possibility on earlier engines. That means if it isn't good, the rebuild won't cost as much as welding and sleeving potential on an earlier block.

Of course, it could be just a decent used engine that is a fair deal.