Not a B-Body, but is a 354 Poly Worth Salvaging?

[Satellite72]

I saw a 58 Saratoga sitting off in a field away from an old house that no one is currently living in. I don't like to trespass on peoples property, but I walked down to look at it anyways. I didn't spend but a minute or two total looking at it since I felt weird about being on the property. I would imagine it's sat in mud for over twenty years or so. I would think the frame is probably about gone since must of the lower metal is rotted out pretty good (sadly, because I LOVE this body style). I could peek into the engine bay and noticed that it has an engine and the heads on it were undoubtedly poly heads. I'm guessing its a 354 or a 331 based on the year...idk. I would hate to see this thing rot more or be crushed without salvaging something. Do you think it would be worth asking the owner of the estate about?

 

[dave5237]

Give it a try. You never know. I would probably forgo showing him the pictures you took.

 

[Al K]

Wow;learn something every day. I see those numbers(331/354) and I automatically think "Hemi";wasn't aware of poly-head mills in those displacements. There's been a renewed interest in the 318 Poly lately,as far as some aftermarket pieces;I wonder if the mill in the 'Toga is similar enough to interest someone.

Now,if you had said "Hemi"...well,a bunch of nostalgia racers would have had interest in the heads. The 354's are supposedly the best piece for an early Hemi race motor. I've read that the 392 heads had some issues.

 

[67 B-body]

Wow;learn something every day. I see those numbers(331/354) and I automatically think "Hemi";wasn't aware of poly-head mills in those displacements. There's been a renewed interest in the 318 Poly lately,as far as some aftermarket pieces;I wonder if the mill in the 'Toga is similar enough to interest someone.

Now,if you had said "Hemi"...well,a bunch of nostalgia racers would have had interest in the heads. The 354's are supposedly the best piece for an early Hemi race motor. I've read that the 392 heads had some issues.

Same here,,,, I was thinking Hemi too!

 

[moperformance]

Nothing ventured. Nothing gained!!

 

[Satellite72]

To be truly honest with myself, I'd have to say that I kinda would like to fix the old girl up but my gosh it be alot of work. It makes the metal work I've been beginning on the satellite look like novice stuff...I guess that's how you develop a skill though.

 

[Ron 73]

That same car two door model set behind my brother in laws dads garage and i was told it had one of the first hemis Mopar made in it, its been a long time ago but i remember seeing it sitting there and asking about it, i was 15 at the tiime and Karl and i worked on our cars there in return for repairing and keeping his dads 18 wheeler greased and maintained for him.. Sadly when his dad passed another relative took it in hand to sell every vehicle that was out back which included two 66 Chevelles that were mine (parts cars only).. I would try to talk to him if your interested, all they can say is yes or no.. You may get lucky, once in awhile it turns out that the property was someones parents who passed away and a kid may tell you to take it just to make the place look better selling the property, you never know, id ask..

 

[Pistol Pete]

Polys and Hemis are essentially the same block. Change the pistons and slap on some hemi heads and voila, instant hemi.

 

[Deleted member 214]

It should be a 354 Hemi. Go for it!