Here's the article that dodgehemi started this thread with. It got lost along the way.
It is excerpted from allpar which has a great web site about all things Mopar! The hemi history page is at:
www.allpar.com/mopar/hemi/chrysler-hemi.htmlThe original Hemi in racing
One other notable thing occurred in 1953 that must be mentioned. An engineer who was involved in resolving problems with the Fire Power, who had become a key member of William Drinkard's team, made a proposal that Chrysler build a car around a high performance Fire Power that had excellent handling and unique styling. It was taken seriously, very seriously. Bob Rodger was instrumental in seeing the Chrysler 300 come to life.
Outside of the Chrysler Corporation, the Fire Power was used in some racing and as power plants for other car makers. Briggs Cunningham was one notable builder that saw the raw potential of the Hemi. His goal was to win the 24 hour race at LeMans. To qualify, he had to build 25 cars. He received some technical information assistance from Chrysler for his efforts, however, any engine modifications were done solely by him with parts he either built or obtained from other sources. He raced his cars for three years, and retired from the circuit in 1955. He did race in LeMans in 1952, finishing in fourth, a remarkable first effort.
For all his stoic outward appearance, James Zeder was immensely proud of the Hemi engine. He also had a desire to see it be used in racing applications. He had an eye on the Indianapolis 500, the greatest spectacle in racing at the time. He had the lab begin experimenting with the 331 Fire Power.
John Platner and Don Moore were deeply involved in building the "Indy" engine which received the designation of A311. It was built with 8 Hilborn fuel injectors, big valves and ports, streamlined big exhaust manifolds, and a sort of modified camshaft that made the engine make "burbling" noises at idle. Under the quise of testing tires for Firestone and Good Year, the engine was installed in an Indianiapolis special racer. With the A311 engine, it easily ran the same lap speeds as the specialized Offenhauser and Miller racing machines.
The true opportunity to put the A311 to the test came in June of 1954. Shortly after the running of the 1954 Memorial Day 500, Chrysler Corporation dedicated its Chelsea proving grounds. The first four finishing Indy drivers were invited to bring their racers over to christen the 4.7 mile long oval race track. With wide lanes, and banked curves, the drivers were able to hold their cars wide open all the way around. The single fastest lap that day was made at 179 miles an hour. Then the Kurtis Kraft tire test car with the Hemi A311 made a couple warm up laps. Coming out of the 4th turn, the driver opened the engine up. It screamed by the centrally located pits and timing stand. Its deep Hemi bellow could be heard all the way around the long track. When it went by the next time, it was rolling at 182 miles an hour. And then did it again, and then again. Mr. Zeder and his engineers were delighted. They knew that a stock block engine with push rod technology could easily compete at Indy, and most likely, easily win.
It was not to be. The news of the test was given wide publicity. In a flurry of activity, the engine size rule was changed to allow only a 272 cubic inch limit for stock engines. A slight increase in piston stroke easily achiesved the 272 size. However, down on power, it didn't qualify. It would not be the last time that rules were changed by sanctioning bodies when Chrysler came out to play.
1953 saw Cadillac reach out and "touch" Chrysler again. The Caddy V-8 now had an output of 210 horsepower. To add sting, Oldsmobile had increased its V-8 to have 165 horsepower; but it was Buick, Chrysler’s direct competitor, that prompted Chrysler to move quicker. GM's prestigious division introduced a 322 cubic inch V-8 that had a top output of 188 horsepower.
On the beach at Daytona in the NASCAR speed trials, Chrysler Fire Power V-8 cars got beaten by Cadillac. The Caddy flew over the sand at 113 miles an hour. It snapped past the Chrysler, reaching 60 in 11.3 seconds. For all its punch, the Oldsmobile took a back seat to the 1953 Dodge which set a record of 102 miles an hour. However, it wasn't that easy. Hudson, with a big flathead 6 cylinder engine, cleaned up on the racing circuit. In another notable first, Lee Petty, who had switched from Plymouth to the V-8 Dodge, gave the Dodge division its first NASCAR victory. Petty had given Plymouth its first NASCAR win in 1949.
The 1954 model year saw the first stages of performance improvements in the Hemi engines from the Corporation. Chrysler Fire Power V-8s now had 195 horsepower by bumping up the compression ratio to 7.5 : 1. As well, it had another version with a four barrel carburetor that put out 235 horsepower. That beat out Cadillac which did make an increase to 230 horsepower. Buick increased its punch to 200 horsepower. Not to be left out, DeSoto also increased compression to boost output to 170 horsepower. But, Oldsmobile bored out the 303 to 324 cubic inches with an output of 185 horsepower. In line, of course, Dodge bumped the compression ratio for an increase to 150 horses.
Taking note of the previous year’s racing success, and shared information from Chrysler, independent supplier Offenhauser manufactured an aftermarket manifold for a four barrel carburetor that would fit the Dodge Hemi V-8. Whether this was done in conjunction with, or because of, Dodge's selection as the Indianapolis 500 race pace car has never been clarified. This became a dealer installed option. With the manifold and 4 barrel, the 241 cubic inch V-8 was estimated (no actual figures were given) at 180 to 185 horsepower.
Lee Petty drove a 1954 Hemi powered Chrysler to victory in Daytona and went on to win the NASCAR Championship. The big Chrysler also dusted the Cadillac in NASCAR speed trials, setting a record at 118 miles an hour.
I have Richard petty cars 1/18 1/24 scales! Etc...
Jan 29, 2017 9:11:19 GMT -5
I have Richard petty cars 1/18 1/24 scales! Etc...
Jan 29, 2017 9:11:19 GMT -5
Apr 12, 2017 11:34:19 GMT -5
Apr 12, 2017 11:34:19 GMT -5
Sept 22, 2018 12:24:47 GMT -5
Sept 22, 2018 12:24:47 GMT -5