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Member
Posts: 28
Location: Canada / Quebec | Hey guys!
On the start of my long way of rebuilding a chrysler 354 poly for a 1956 dodge regent 4 door.
I was trying to search the infinity of information within all the threads and lost hope hahahahaa!!!
Wanted to know if anyone had a solide recipe to build up a 354 poly to a good high HP but stay reliable? Maybe i am asking much hahaha.
It won't be a race car or anything, i just want to burn rubber once in a while and have a good roar to it.
And i want it to stay poly, i like the look of those valve covers
Thanks a bunch crew!!! |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9896
   
Location: Lower Mainland BC | .
You are going to need a budget (with contingencies for unknowns) plus you will have to decide on a few things like 1 x 4 bbl, 2 x 4 bbl and 3 x 2 bbl intakes (if you can find one). And then headers or no headers, etc. etc.
You might want to find and buy this book:
http://victorylibrary.com/POLY.htm
There are also a few websites to visit:
https://www.bigblockmopar.nl/2010/01/586/
http://www.redchrysler.com/projekti5.html
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/hemi-tech-index.118764/ (A poly is a hemi wannabe so lots of similarities)
 
I'm sure that others here will chime in with better answers.
Edited by 56D500boy 2021-04-25 2:59 PM
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Member
Posts: 28
Location: Canada / Quebec | Wow this is insane! I looked up a lot of info on the web but this seems to be the most accurate thing yet!! Thanks a lot 56D500boy!!!!
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9648
Location: So. Cal | 1. Build the motor with pistons for a '58 Chrysler Windsor or Saratoga. Those are 10:1 stock. A perfect ratio for these motors.
2. A 270 cam from isky is a good choice for street use. Hothemiheads.com can get you the cam, new valves, guides, springs, etc. This cam will typically improve your power dramatically over stock specs but requires, at minimum, for the springs to be replaced. Stock springs are too weak, even when new, so replacing them is important to extend the life of your valve seats.
3. Purchase adjustable push rods as the new head gaskets are thicker than the originals. If you use stock push rods, they will end up being a little short. The new gaskets also will reduce your compression ratio by almost 1/2 a point, so that's why it is important to get high compression pistons.
4. Use lifters with large 3/8" openings instead of the stock 5/16" openings. Since you are replacing the pushrods anyway, go with the larger size for better rigidity & much cheaper cost for the lifters.
5. Your stock exhaust manifolds are probably fine, but you will definitely want a good flowing dual exhaust setup with 2.25 or 2.5" pipes.
6. Any 4bbl intake from a 331-392 hemi will fit the poly, including the aluminum one from Hotheads. I prefer the new aluminum one as the old intakes are a hefty 40lbs with very thick casting.
7. If you would like to increase the size of your motor to around 410 ci, you can offset grind a 392 crankshaft to big block chevy rods and grind the mains down to fit your 354. You can typically get around 4.06" stroke this way to create a stroker motor, but it will require custom pistons to pull it off.
8. Replace the oil bypass plug with a blocking plug from Hotheads.
9. Weld in a baffle into the oil pan to prevent you from losing oil pressure during hard launches.
10. Purchase a windage tray from hotheads to improve oil flow & prevent frothing.
11. Replace the downdraft tube with a PCV valve from Hotheads too.
12. Replace the intermediate shaft with a longer one that you can run a newer electronic distributor. I sell a kit that allows an HEI module to mount to the bottom of them. Otherwise, you could get a stock dual point distributor from a 331 or 354 hemi instead and run a Pertronix module inside it.
13. Use a 30 degree upward oil filter adapter from Hotheads or make your own from your stock filter & 318 filter parts.
14. Use a *very thin* layer of RTV on all the gaskets, and this will make them seal much better & longer. But if you use too much, it can cause blobs to come loose in your oil & potentially clog it up. So be careful with it. |
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Member
Posts: 28
Location: Canada / Quebec | Wow powerflite ! That is specific information :D on the sealant questuon would high tach spray gasket do? To be sure not to pit too much?
Thanks ! |
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Expert
Posts: 3031
Location: N.W. Fla. | If head gaskets are modern type you don't need to spray. If metal lay flat & spray so there's no runs. I used aluminum paint, wait till next day to make sure they are dry. I'd use the early 361/413 lifters. Everything except the complete head assembly, pistons, cam (maybe), & ex. mans. are the same as the 354 hemi when checking prices/availability. Intermediate shaft. length is determined bu weather you're using the OEM O/P (The new Melling 392 pump should work, and OEM or LA dizzy.
Edited by Mopar1 2021-05-08 7:09 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 371
| Hm nothing about updating the oiling? My 354 has the power but is a major sleeper. But then again a '56 Imperial isn't supposed to burn rubber. |
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Expert
Posts: 3031
Location: N.W. Fla. | Stroller - 2021-05-09 9:39 AM
Hm nothing about updating the oiling? My 354 has the power but is a major sleeper. But then again a '56 Imperial isn't supposed to burn rubber. nothing much there. Block can be moded to take the Melling 392 O/P. A common trick is to drill a .050 hole in the oil galley plug behind the dizzy to increase oiling of the cam/dizzy gears. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 888
Location: Peoples Republic of Oregon | Stroller - 2021-05-09 7:39 AM
Hm nothing about updating the oiling? My 354 has the power but is a major sleeper. But then again a '56 Imperial isn't supposed to burn rubber.
The system is most adequate unless you go to a roller cam then some mods can be done.
The M50 pump is a given and you will use your oem pickup tube.
If any oiling issues exist they can usually be traced to mis-aligned cam bearings....check them and then check them again.
I have adjustable rocker assemblies if it appeals to you. See website for other stuff.
Edited by wayfarer 2021-05-24 7:32 PM
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9648
Location: So. Cal | On #4 in my list, I should have said, "Use lifters with large 5/16" openings instead of the stock 1/4" openings..."
I mixed up the tip size with the pushrod size. |
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Chrysler 354 poly build
