Not sure if this is a good deal...Hemi 392 Fire Power for sale...

[super-bee_ski]

I'm not too sure if this is a good deal or not.
I'm looking at a 392 Fire Power Hemi that is for sale locally
He wants $2,500 for it. Says it runs.
Should I buy it?
What are these things worth?

"super-bee_ski"

 

[Stumper]

Complete and running, I would think it's worth the money. Especially if you get the accessories with it.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

I would think its worth that much. If i was building an old school rod that would be my motor of choice

 

[rrowdy]

A 392 is worth at least that much, I've seen basketcase motors sold for more than that. They're pretty rare
and everyone that's building a roadster or period correct dragster is looking for them.

Just make sure and get the casting number to make sure it's not a 331 or 354. If you have a use for it it's worth the price.

I think Hemitis runs one in his blown 63


Good luck!

 

[snakeoil24]

You can see the difference between a 331 and 354 compared to a 392

 

[Red63440]

A 392 is worth at least that much, I've seen basketcase motors sold for more than that. They're pretty rare
and everyone that's building a roadster or period correct dragster is looking for them.

Just make sure and get the casting number to make sure it's not a 331 or 354. If you have a use for it it's worth the price.

I think Hemitis runs one in his blown 63


Good luck!

Nah, don't think so.....

 

[wannadrag]

They look pretty good in one of these as well.

 

[RustyRatRod]

It's worth that. The block has a series of stamped numbers on it on a flat rail RIGHT in front of the front edge of the intake valley pan. You'll need to scrape the dirt and paint off to see it. There are other ways to tell, but that's the easiest and quickest way if you don't know what else to look for. Here's where you can find info on the number.

http://www.hothemiheads.com/hemi_info/hemi_engine_id.html

 

[super-bee_ski]

I called him up and postured to go see the 392 Hemi but he called me back and said he was too busy last weekend.
Hopefully this "upcoming" weekend I can check it out.

 

[Centerline]

From the picture I can tell you that it is NOT, repeat NOT a 392. To begin with it does not have a water crossover manifold and uses a wet intake. This indicates its a pre 1955 331 cu. in. motor worth about $500 - $700 if its running and in good condition. A running 392 is worth maybe a grand or $1500 but not what he's asking.

When you go look at it, check the deck just in front of the intake and behind the water pump on the passenger's side of the block. There will be a stamped set of letters and numbers there. If this number starts with anything other than NE57, 3NE57, 58N, 58N3, CE57, or 58C it is NOT a 392. So many people are unedcuated when it comes to early hemis that they believe they are all 392s and if you don't know how to tell the difference it can bite you. He probably doesn't know that its not a 392 but in this case just looking at the picture its easy for someone who knows them to tell its an early 331. Another indication is the location of the oil filler tube. On later models it is located behind the water crossover manifold in the valley cover. In the picture you posted its located on the water pump cover. Wrong place for a 392 but the right place for a 331.

Here is a picture of a 1955 Chrysler 331 which uses the same water crossover manifold which incorporates the thermostat housing that the 392 uses. If his engine doesn't have this crossover manifold its definatly not a 392, and from the picture you posted it doesn't.


Here on the other hand is a picture of a 1954 331. Chrysler hemis prior to 1955 use a wet intake with the thermostat housing in the intake manifold. Looking at the picture you posted its pretty obvious the engine has a wet intake.


After you check the numbers by the valley pan check them on my web site (http://www.hotrodsandhemis.com) to see exactly what year it is (51-54) then make him an offer. If it has the extended bellhousing which is cast into the block its worth maybe $500 in running condition. If it doesn't have the extended bellhousing then its a latter half '54 331 and is worth a couple hundred more. With the extended bellhousing models, you don't have the transmission choices you do with the '54 and later Chrysler hemis so they're not worth as much.

Good luck.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I have a 56 331 that has a dual 1 bbl wet intake, but it was a heavy truck engine so it's kinda a bastard child.

 

[snakeyes]

centerline thanks for chimming in on this subject ,I sent ski a pm for him to contact you ,in hopes that you could help him out , on the way home today from taking my wife for her cancer treatment you wouldn't believe what I found another old hemi gave him cash,loaded and left .

 

[super-bee_ski]

From the picture I can tell you that it is NOT, repeat NOT a 392. To begin with it does not have a water crossover manifold and uses a wet intake. This indicates its a pre 1955 331 cu. in. motor worth about $500 - $700 if its running and in good condition. A running 392 is worth maybe a grand or $1500 but not what he's asking.

When you go look at it, check the deck just in front of the intake and behind the water pump on the passenger's side of the block. There will be a stamped set of letters and numbers there. If this number starts with anything other than NE57, 3NE57, 58N, 58N3, CE57, or 58C it is NOT a 392. So many people are unedcuated when it comes to early hemis that they believe they are all 392s and if you don't know how to tell the difference it can bite you. He probably doesn't know that its not a 392 but in this case just looking at the picture its easy for someone who knows them to tell its an early 331. Another indication is the location of the oil filler tube. On later models it is located behind the water crossover manifold in the valley cover. In the picture you posted its located on the water pump cover. Wrong place for a 392 but the right place for a 331.

Here is a picture of a 1955 Chrysler 331 which uses the same water crossover manifold which incorporates the thermostat housing that the 392 uses. If his engine doesn't have this crossover manifold its definatly not a 392, and from the picture you posted it doesn't.
View attachment 90217

Here on the other hand is a picture of a 1954 331. Chrysler hemis prior to 1955 use a wet intake with the thermostat housing in the intake manifold. Looking at the picture you posted its pretty obvious the engine has a wet intake.
View attachment 90218

After you check the numbers by the valley pan check them on my web site (http://www.hotrodsandhemis.com) to see exactly what year it is (51-54) then make him an offer. If it has the extended bellhousing which is cast into the block its worth maybe $500 in running condition. If it doesn't have the extended bellhousing then its a latter half '54 331 and is worth a couple hundred more. With the extended bellhousing models, you don't have the transmission choices you do with the '54 and later Chrysler hemis so they're not worth as much.

Good luck.

Centerline,
Thanks for the great "DATA" (Info)
Yup, as you stated...it is NOT a 392 although advertised as one.
You saved me from making a mistake.
Thanks again, as I have a "May 05, 1969" Hemi (426) but I am NOt familliar with the earlier ones.
Again, thank you...and thanks to all including "snakeeyes" for the help.
"super-bee_ski"

 

[snakeyes]

thanks ski this is what this site is about helping each other out,and thanks again ski and centerline :headbang:

 

[RustyRatRod]

I guess it's a good thing the "no comment" rule wasn't enforced here ain't it? <rolls eyes>

 

[AdamR]

I guess it's a good thing the "no comment" rule wasn't enforced here ain't it? <rolls eyes>

Its different when the comments are asked for. Your welcome to start your won site if you dont like Joeys rules.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

"A running 392 is worth maybe a grand or $1500 but not what he's asking." Really? I figured it would be higher than that. I mean a running 440 will bring that much. 392 has to be much harder to come by. Maybe the demand isn't quite there, i dont know.

"I guess it's a good thing the "no comment" rule wasn't enforced here ain't it? <rolls eyes> "

You just cant help yourself can you?LOL

 

[Centerline]

As always anything is worth as much as what someone is willing to pay. That said, running or not anyone purchasing an early hemi is going to have to spend a bundle to rebuild it before putting it on the road. A typical non performance rebuild on one of these old hemis runs in the neighborhood of $5000. Now, throw some performance parts at it and your in the $8000 range. If someone has their heart set on a 392 and is willing to pay $2500 for it, more power to them. By the time they're done they'll have an easy $10K in it. More money than I'd put in to an engine (unless it was strictly for racing) and for that amount there are a lot of other Mopar engines that would be a better choice and produce as much or more HP. If someone only wants the look and class of the early hemi (in other words they're not going racing) then either a 331 or 354 can easily be built to crank out 400 bhp without breaking the bank, and that is pretty respectable. But for my money $2500 is way too much for a 392 in stock form.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Its different when the comments are asked for. Your welcome to start your won site if you dont like Joeys rules.

Did I say that? Stop putting words in my mouth. I see you haven't changed a bit from our last encounter. Happy Thanksgiving. ;)

- - - Updated - - -

Simply put, there's no such thing as a budget Hemi.

As always anything is worth as much as what someone is willing to pay. That said, running or not anyone purchasing an early hemi is going to have to spend a bundle to rebuild it before putting it on the road. A typical non performance rebuild on one of these old hemis runs in the neighborhood of $5000. Now, throw some performance parts at it and your in the $8000 range. If someone has their heart set on a 392 and is willing to pay $2500 for it, more power to them. By the time they're done they'll have an easy $10K in it. More money than I'd put in to an engine (unless it was strictly for racing) and for that amount there are a lot of other Mopar engines that would be a better choice and produce as much or more HP. If someone only wants the look and class of the early hemi (in other words they're not going racing) then either a 331 or 354 can easily be built to crank out 400 bhp without breaking the bank, and that is pretty respectable. But for my money $2500 is way too much for a 392 in stock form.