Factory Hemi, but not an E- body...ever seen one of these?

[Canuck74]

Well my brother hauled this project home a couple of weeks ago. It's a 1956 Dodge 2 1/2 ton. 21000 lb gvwr. Big truck.
Factory 331 Hemi, 5 speed + Split rear axle.
187 hp @ 4000/ 309 ft-lbs @2400.
VERY solid for a Canadian truck of this age (I'm sure the massive 2 1/2 ton frame helps!!!). We think it used to have a stake dump bed.... project plans are return to stake dump or maybe a 5th wheel lowboy car hauler???


Flatbed driver almost didn't want to put it on.

The Hemi. Nice big carb...

Instagram caption
Those are tractor trailer tires btw, did I mention it was big?

Not as flashy as the GM's and Ford's of the era but the best looking in my opinion.

 

[moparlee]

Your attachments don't seem to work.

 

[Canuck74]

There, that should fix it

 

[AFMBR]

That is really cool.

 

[moparleo]

Nice truck. The 331 Fire Power engine is the least common of the Fire Power engine series currently available. Never a performance engine really. It was Chryslers very first overhead valve V-8 engine. The next up was the 354 in 1956 with much improved port and valve size. Very popular back in the early fuel days. The top of the heap and therefore the engine that had and still has the most aftermarket parts still available is the long stroke 1957-58 made 392 Fire Power. Practically any part that you would need is still readily available on the aftermarket.

 

[Canuck74]

The 354 was reserved for the big boys in '56 the 'Y' models 45,000lb gvr. This replaced the 413 flathead 6 previously used in the 'Y' models! I'm not sure if the 392 ever made it to the trucks or not. Apparently it's quite common to find these trucks without their hemis as they've been pulled to rod something.. To each his own...

 

[moparleo]

It was meant as more of an FYI for any guys that may be contemplating rebuilding and old 1st Gen Hemi as to what parts are still available.