426 Hemi information

[HersheysHemi]

Hi
I'm wondering what my options are for a 426 hemi for a correct restoration if I'm not able to find the car's original block?
My car was built in October of 1968.
Would the block need to have a build date of a couple months prior?
Not sure how Plymouth did things.

 

[6PKRTSE]

You could probably get away with just using any 66 block. They made so many in 66 that there are known 67 & early 68 vehicles with 66 blocks.

 

[rickseeman]

Trying to find even a close block would be a nightmare. Someone smarter than me will chime in and tell us when Chrysler started stamping assembly dates on there. Hopefully your car wouldn't have had that. If that is the case it would open up the availability of a block. But still finding a decent Street Hemi block would be a nightmare. It would be very expensive and very far away. You are most likely going to have to use an aftermarket block if you want to complete this project during your lifetime. Sorry, I'm just trying to be real.

 

[rickseeman]

I just realized your car is a 69 not a 68. So I think that means it came with the VIN number. That's bad. So we have to assume that you won't find your original block. Your car probably would have came with a casting date in early 68. The assembly date would probably be a month or so before the cars build date. If you find one like this it will have somebody else's VIN number. Yes, we can dream about finding a warranty or over-the-counter block unstamped but I'm trying to be real. Sorry to be such a Debbie Downer but I think you are an aftermarket block candidate. There was a new 90's Mopar block on ebay last week.

 

[rickseeman]

Of course a lot of the 90's blocks are 4.500" bore so you might have to dig a little harder to find a 4.25" bore if that is what you want. But at least these are something you can find, unlike a good used Street Hemi block.

 

[snakeoil24]

Using 60 year old blocks make no sense. Just one little crack and all that money down the drain. Go to Mancini and order a new fully machined block and enjoy, providing your able to spend the dollars required to build a elephant. The Callies company is a top notch producer, with excellent reputation, be forewarned the cost to be in the Hemi club is very expensive.

 

[dadsbee]

Blocks were cast back into 65 and used into 68!

As for this perceived "a month or so prior" nonsense. I just looked at a 440 block cast January 24th 1970 that went into a 1972 vehicle. Stamped H440! Yet on the other hand my 69 Bee's SPD was Feb 25th and the engine wasn't built until the 26th and exhaust manifolds cast Feb27th!

 

[autoxcuda]

If you are doing some sort of stock resto. which I assume you are.

Get 66-68 hemi block. They're out there in good shape. Or get an early Mopar Performance block (they look most like stock)

The current Callies or even 2nd run Mopar Performance blocks don't look factory.

 

[Fran Blacker]

Have a 10-10-66 block from a 68 GTX. The car was wrecked local, friend bought engine and trans.

 

[rickseeman]

Blocks were cast back into 65 and used into 68!

As for this perceived "a month or so prior" nonsense. I just looked at a 440 block cast January 24th 1970 that went into a 1972 vehicle. Stamped H440! Yet on the other hand my 69 Bee's SPD was Feb 25th and the engine wasn't built until the 26th and exhaust manifolds cast Feb27th!

I said ASSEMBLED a month or so prior, not cast. Completely different thing.

 

[dadsbee]

Yep and note I wasn't quoting you!

 

[Bird 426]

I have a dated '68 Hemi block, no stamping, but it's not a perfect block. Have been preparing it to go into my '69 Road Runner. ???? Not that I am trying to sell it.

 

[HersheysHemi]

Ok thanks for the information guys.
It was actually my wife's idea to try to put a correct hemi back in the car.
I have to get a loan to put up my 40x60 shop and she thinks I should just add the cost of the hemi into what I need to borrow.
What am I looking at spending for a street hemi block?
Is it really possible a 67 or 68 block ended up in a October of 68 built car?

 

[dadsbee]

Complete 67 Hemi engine, Barton built, for sale in Ontario. $44,000 Cdn.

1967 Plymouth 426 hemi

 

[HersheysHemi]

So about $30k US.
Is that what a complete correct engine not built by Ray Barton goes for also?

 

[Fran Blacker]

Ok thanks for the information guys.
It was actually my wife's idea to try to put a correct hemi back in the car.
I have to get a loan to put up my 40x60 shop and she thinks I should just add the cost of the hemi into what I need to borrow.
What am I looking at spending for a street hemi block?
Is it really possible a 67 or 68 block ended up in a October of 68 built car?

You don't say what year your car is? If it was built Oct 68 it's a 69 yes or no? If it's a 69 I'd look for a 68 block cast in June or July and assembled in Sept.

 

[HersheysHemi]

Sorry 1969 hemi roadrunner with October of 68 build date

 

[rickseeman]

Ok thanks for the information guys.
It was actually my wife's idea to try to put a correct hemi back in the car.
I have to get a loan to put up my 40x60 shop and she thinks I should just add the cost of the hemi into what I need to borrow.
What am I looking at spending for a street hemi block?
Is it really possible a 67 or 68 block ended up in a October of 68 built car?

I like her idea. And I think the $30,000 might get there using a 90's block. I have no idea what a good Street Hemi block would cost because I don't even try to find something like that.

 

[oldbee]

Of course a lot of the 90's blocks are 4.500" bore so you might have to dig a little harder to find a 4.25" bore if that is what you want. But at least these are something you can find, unlike a good used Street Hemi block.

And Rick & others, “good” is the operative word!

 

[70Hemi-RR]

This is an interesting conversation.
My uncle bought my block through dodge parts department in the mid 70’s and had it in his 73 cuda for a short time and then I bought it from him and it’s been in my 70RR ever since. Been honed once but is still standard bore and has about 15,000 miles on it. I put the blower on late 90’s.
It has WT stamped in the pad by the distributor.