A LITTLE RACING HISTORY

[dodgehemi]

Paul

You are Right, He won 1 out of 8 races run in 1949.

[songsmith1950]

Now this is some real history!!!

[dodgehemi]

The was 1951


1951

[dodgehemi]

Just a look back to 1950 Johnny Mantz's 1950 Plymouth

[pmossberg]

Love the old Plymouth and the 51 history link.

Fonty Flock! I guess his borher Tim got the good name.

[songsmith1950]

I also love the older cars. Now those were the good old days! I think through the sixties and even mid seventies and then things began to change when we started being driven toward being "service oriented" instead of "manufacturing oriented".

[dodgehemi]

Here is an oldie

[dodgehemi]

This is a rear picture of Glen Wood Driving



Red Bryon coming out of turn 2 at Daytona Road Course 1950

[dodgehemi]

Some old pictures from the 50s


Fireball Roberts on the outside of Glen Woods



Paul Goldsmith Just miss and finish 2nd to Curtis Turner



Planing of Darlington Raceway Darlington SC

[dodgehemi]

The Daytona Beach Crouse



Tim Flock's Monkey Jacko Flocko



The New Johnny Mantz Southern 500 Trophy



Win on Sunday Sale on Monday



Marshall Teague Hudson



Leaver Cross Fire Department

[pmossberg]

Really great stuff dodgehemi!

[dodgehemi]

[edit] Hemi engine advantages and disadvantages
This section needs verification, clarification, and additional details.

The Hemi engine design offers a high degree of efficiency both in breathing capability and in heat dissipation. This comes at a price of complexity, size, and increased cost.

[edit] Advantages

Hemi cylinder heads, displaying the hemispherical combustion chamber.The valves were placed on opposite sides of the combustion chamber. This allowed for larger valves, very short and nearly unrestricted intake and exhaust ports, making the airflow in and out of the cylinder extremely efficient. It also allowed the valves to run cooler because of improved air movement around the valve pockets.
Since a hemisphere has the lowest possible surface- area-to-volume ratio, there was more space for combustion, and less loss of energy to the engine walls.
Spark plugs were located in the center of the cylinder. This created a very even flame front, increasing combustion efficency (often offset, however, by large domed pistons which shrouded the spark plugs)
Because of the above advantages, Chrysler Hemi engines could run higher compression ratios without the fear of detonation.
[edit] Disadvantages
Complex valve train geometry, with dual rocker shafts in each head.
Expensive to produce.
Larger cylinder heads were not space efficient.
Large combustion chambers required the use of large domed pistons to increase compression to nominal levels. These pistons were heavy (high reciprocating mass) and the large dome shrouded the spark plugs and valves, requiring more ignition timing advance and increasing hydrocarbon emissions.

[dodgehemi]

Early Hemi Identification

Early Hemi identification
Automotive

Eng# Year Name/Make CI Comp HP
CE55-1001 1955 Imperial 331 8.5:1 250
CE56-1001 1956 Imperial 354 9:1 280
CE57 1957 Imperial 392 9.25:1 325
58C-1001 1958 Imperial 392 10:1 345
C51-8-1001 1951 Chrysler 331 7.5:1 180
C52-8-1001 1952 Chrysler 331 7.5:1 180
C53-8-1001 1953 Chrysler 331 7.5:1 180
C541-8-1001 1954 Chrysler 331 7.5:1 195
C542-8-1001 1954 Chrysler 331 7.5:1 235
NE55-1001 1955 Chrysler 331 8.5:1 250
3NE55-1001 1955 Chrysler 300 331 8.5:1 300
NE56-1001 1956 Chrysler 354 9:1 280
3NE56-1001 1956 Chrysler 300 354 9:1/10:1 340/355
NE57-1001 1957 Chrysler 392 9.25:1 325/375
3NE57 1957 Chrysler 300 392 9.25:1 375
58N-1001 1958 Chrysler 392 10:1 345
58N3-1001 1958 Chrysler 300 392 10:1 380/390
D44-1001 1953 Dodge 241 7:1 140
D50-1,2,3 1954 Dodge 241 7.1:1/7.5:1 140/150
D50A-1001 1954 Dodge 241 7.1:1 140
D553-1001 1955 Dodge 270 7.6:1 183/193
D500-1001 1956 Dodge 315 9.25:1 260/295
KD500-1001 1957 Dodge 325 9.25:1 285/315
S17-1001 1952 DeSoto 276 7.1:1 160
S16-1001 1953 DeSoto 276 7.1:1 160
S19-1001 1954 DeSoto 276 7.5:1 170
S21-1001 1955 DeSoto 291 7.5:1 200
S22-1001 1955 DeSoto 291 7.5:1 185
S23-1001 1956 DeSoto 330 8.5:1 230
S24-1001 1956 DeSoto 330 8.5:1 255
S24A-1001 1956 DeSoto 341 9.5:1 320
S25-1001 1957 DeSoto 341 9.25:1 270
S26-1001 1957 DeSoto 341 9.25:1 295
S26A-1001 1957 DeSoto 345 9.5:1 345
Truck

Eng# Year Name/Make CI Comp HP
VT-334,VT-344,VT-336,VT-346 1954 Dodge Truck 241 N/A N/A
B8,C8,D8,F8,G8,VT-344,VT-342 1955/1956 Dodge Truck 259 N/A N/A
J8,JS8,KA8,KS8,VT-344,VT-346 1955/1956 Dodge Truck 270 N/A 150
FS8,GH8,HS8 1955/1956 Dodge Truck 259 N/A N/A
RS,RS8,T8,V8 1955/1956 Dodge Truck 331 N/A N/A
VT-448 1956 Dodge Truck 331 N/A N/A
D8-D4,K8-D5,D8-D6 1957 Dodge Truck 315 N/A N/A
S4,S5,S6 1957 Dodge Truck 315 N/A N/A
K8-D7,D8-D8,C5,D6,C7 1957 Dodge Truck 331 N/A N/A
P3,P4,S7,W5,T7,T8 1957 Dodge Truck 331 N/A N/A
D8-D9,T9 1957 Dodge Truck 354 N/A N/A
K8-D7,K8-D8,C7,T7,T8 1957 Dodge Truck 354 N/A N/A
C5,C6,P3,P4,S4,S5,S6 1958 Dodge Truck 315 N/A N/A
L8-D4,L8-D5,D8-D6,WS 1958 Dodge Truck 315 N/A N/A
L8-D7,L8-D8,L8-D9,C7 1958 Dodge Truck 354 N/A N/A
T7,T8,T9 1958 Dodge Truck 354 N/A N/A
M8-D6,C6,S6 1959 Dodge Truck 315 N/A N/A
C7,S7,T7,T8,T9 1959 Dodge Truck 354 N/A N/A
M8-D7,M8-D8,M8-D9 1959 Dodge Truck 354 N/A N/A
Industrial

Eng# Year Name/Make CI Comp HP
I/IND 20,20a,24,24a 1956 Chrysler Industrial 331 N/A N/A
I/IND 56a N/A Chrysler Industrial 354 N/A N/A
I/IND 18,18a N/A Dodge Industrial 241 N/A N/A
I/IND 52 N/A Dodge Industrial 259 N/A N/A
I/IND 53,54 N/A Dodge Industrial 315 N/A N/A
I/IND 56A1 N/A Dodge Industrial 325 N/A N/A
Marine

Eng# Year Name/Make CI Comp HP
M44S-3 N/A MARINE 270 N/A N/A
M45S-3 N/A MARINE 354 N/A N/A
M45SP N/A MARINE 331 N/A N/A
M45SP-3 N/A MARINE 354 N/A N/A
[edit] Casting numbers
Head Casting Number Year Manufactured Division/Make Cubic Inch
1323 333 1951-1953 Chrysler 331
1486 833 1953-1954 Chrysler 331
1556 157 1955 Chrysler 331
1619 823 1956 Chrysler 354
1735 282 1957-1958 Chrysler 392
1731 528 1958 Chrysler 392

1328 362 1953-1954 Dodge 241
1554 132 1955 Dodge 270
1734 049 1956 Dodge 315
1828 129 1957 Dodge 325

1364 864 1954-1956 Truck/Industrial 331
1554 132 1955 Truck/Industrial 241
1554 132 1955-1956 Truck/Industrial 260
1554 132 1955-1956 Truck/Industrial 270
1733 463 1957-1958 Truck/Industrial 354
1730 438 1957-1959 Truck/Industrial 354
1828 129 1958 Truck/Industrial 315



[edit] Connecting rods
Chrysler

Engine CID Casting Numbers Pin Diameter Center to Center Length Big End Diameter
331 1324222 0.984 6.625 2.3755
354 1324222/1821345 0.984 6.625 2.3755
392 1673758 0.984 6.956 2.505
Dodge

241 1328783 0.859 5.938 2.063
270 1328783 0.859 5.938 2.063
315 1630398 0.901 6.618 2.3755
325 1630398 0.901 6.618 2.3755
DeSoto

276 1327417 0.921 6.067 2.188
291 1327417 0.921 6.067 2.188
330 1636609 0.921 6.625 2.3755
341 1636609 0.921 6.625 2.3755
345 1636609 0.921 6.625 2.3755
[edit] Crankshaft
Chrysler

Engine CID Casting Numbers Stroke Main Diameter Rod Diameter
331 1323335/1335001/1409421/1419421 3.625 2.5 2.250
354 1409421/1419421/1523335/1619647/1617184/1635690 3.625 2.5 2.250
392 1673755 3.910 2.6875 2.375
Dodge

241 1402625/1483338 3.250 2.375 1.937
270 1483338/1671108/1402538/1402625 3.250 2.375 1.937
270 1671108/1731658/193261 3.250 2.375 1.937
315 1630432/1739538 3.8 2.5 2.250
325 1739538 3.8 2.5 2.250
DeSoto

276 1327417/1402034 3.340 2.375 2.062
291 1402034/1402624/141962 3.340 2.375 2.062
330 1635785 3.8 2.5 2.250
341 1735785 3.8 2.5 2.250
345 1736044 3.8 2.5 2.250



[edit] Crankshaft and rod specifications
Chrysler

Engine CID Crank Main Journal Crankshaft Bore Rod Journal Rod Big End
331 2.4995 to 2.5005 2.6565 to 2.657 2.2490 to 2.25 2.3750 to 2.3755
354 2.4995 to 2.5005 2.6565 to 2.657 2.2490 to 2.25 2.3750 to 2.3755
392 2.6870 to 2.688 2.8800 to 2.8805 2.3740 to 2.375 2.5000 to 2.5005

Dodge

Engine CID Crank Main Journal Crankshaft Bore Rod Journal Rod Big End
241 2.3745 to 2.3755 2.5675 to 2.568 1.9365 to 1.9375 2.0625 to 2.063
270 2.3745 to 2.3755 2.5675 to 2.568 1.9365 to 1.9375 2.0625 to 2.063
315 2.4995 to 2.5005 2.6925 to 2.693 2.2490 to 2.25 2.3750 to 2.3755
325 2.4995 to 2.5005 2.6925 to 2.693 2.2490 to 2.25 2.3750 to 2.3755

DeSoto

Engine CID Crank Main Journal Crankshaft Bore Rod Journal Rod Big End
276 2.3745 to 2.3755 2.5675 to 2.568 2.0615 to 2.0625 2.1875 to 2.188
291 2.3745 to 2.3755 2.5675 to 2.568 2.0615 to 2.0625 2.1875 to 2.188
330 2.4995 to 2.5005 2.6925 to 2.693 2.2490 to 2.25 2.3750 to 2.3755
341 2.4995 to 2.5005 2.6925 to 2.693 2.2490 to 2.25 2.3750 to 2.3755
345 2.4995 to 2.5005 2.6925 to 2.693 2.2490 to 2.25 2.3750 to 2.3755



[edit] Generic early Hemi torque specifications
(in foot-pounds)

Camshaft Thrust Plate 15
Timing Cover 15
Connecting Rods 45
Cylinder Head 85
Distributor Clamp 15
Exhaust Manifold Stud / Nut 25
Intake Manifold 30
Main Bearing Cap Bolt 85
Oil Filter Bolt 25
Oil Pan Bolt 15
Spark Plugs 30
Vibration Damper Bolt 135
[edit] Weight comparison
Make Size Weight
Chrysler 331-354 720
Chrysler 392 740
DeSoto 276-291 630
DeSoto 330-345 670
Dodge 241-270 580
Dodge 315-325 610

[dodgehemi]

This Guy bought 3 331 Hemi's for $200.00

[dodgehemi]

THE YEAR WAS 1952



WINSTON CUP STANDINGS (TOP 10)
Rank Driver Points
1. Tim Flock 6859
2. Herb Thomas 6753
3. Lee Petty 6499
4. Fonty Flock 5184
5. Dick Rathman 3952
6. Bill Blair 3449
7. Joe Eubanks 3091
8. Ray Duhigg 2987
9. Don Thomas 2574
10. Buddy Shuman 2483
More

1952 Season Recap
February 6, 2002
10:43 PM EST (0343 GMT)
One of NASCAR's first superstars, Tim Flock, picked the right season to win his first NASCAR Grand National (now known as the NASCAR Winston Cup Series) championship. A number of prominent companies were becoming involved in NASCAR and began putting money into both race contingency programs and the championship point fund. Flock won the 1952 NASCAR Grand National championship behind the strength of 8 wins, 22 top 5's and 25 top 10's in 33 starts, winning $22,890 on the season.

Tim Flock and defending NASCAR Grand National champion Herb Thomas were caught up in a tremendous battle for the 1952 title as the season was coming to a close.

FIVE RACES TO GO: Hillsboro, NC - With five races remaining in the 1952 season, Tim Flock led 1951 champion Herb Thomas by 174 points coming into Occoneechee Speedway. Fonty Flock, who was once again caught in the thick of the points race, won the race in dominating fashion after taking the lead on lap 7 and leading the race of the way. Bill Blair, who started on the pole, finished third and Tim Flock kept Thomas at bay with his fourth place finish. Lee Petty, who was desperately trying to break through and win his first championship, helped his cause by finishing fifth, his fifth consecutive top five finish. Herb Thomas' car broke on lap 23 and his brother Donald gave him his in relief to help Thomas pick up valuable points. Thomas piloted his brother's car to a second place finish, which rewarded him 200 of the 240 points earned for a runner-up finish. However, without the full amount of points allotted for a second place finish, Thomas' deficit grew to 194 points behind Tim Flock.











FOUR RACES TO GO: Martinsville, VA - Points contender Dick Rathmann took the lead at Martinsville Speedway at lap 72 and looked to be too strong to catch when his axle gave out on lap 173, 27 laps from the finish. Herb Thomas was in position to assume the lead and did so, winning the race over Fonty Flock. All the points challengers were strong in the race; Lee Petty came in third, followed by points leader Tim Flock. Bill Blair came home in sixth place and the disappointed Rathmann finished 16th. Thomas' winning finish enabled him to trim Flock's lead to 170 points.

THREE RACES TO GO: North Wilkesboro, NC - Eerily similar to the race a week earlier in Martinsville, the North Wilkesboro Speedway saw Herb Thomas won his second straight race with all of the players in the points race following suit right behind. Thomas took the lead on lap 9 and led the remaining 191 laps for his seventh victory of the season as he pulled to within 146 points of the lead. Fonty Flock again played second fiddle to Thomas, finishing in the runner-up position while his brother Tim again finished fourth. Dick Rathmann recovered nicely from last week's disappointment to place fifth. Lee Petty, who looked to be locked into third place in points, broke a spindle and finished 13th. Despite Fonty Flock's consistency during the year, he simply did not race in as many events as those he trailed in the standings.

TWO RACES TO GO: Atlanta, GA - With two races remaining on the 1952 schedule, Herb Thomas needed to make up a lot of ground at Lakewood Speedway to have a chance at winning the title. Thomas would win the race - sort of. After starting on the outside pole next to brother Donald, Herb jumped to the early lead and was cruising when he lost an axle on lap 86. Instead of going to the pits where he could take over someone's car as a relief driver and earn points, Herb flagged his brother down at the site of his breakdown and took over Donald's ride there, just out of Turn Two. B.B. Blackburn, Tim Flock's chief mechanic, pointed out this violation and Thomas was ordered to take the restart from the back of the field. Lee Petty took over the lead, but Thomas stormed back and won the race. However, he was credited with a 13th place finish due to his mishap as a relief driver and his brother Donald was awarded the win as it was his car that took the checkered flag. Petty finished second, Dick Rathmann finished 14th and Fonty Flock's broken drive shaft relegated him to a 19th place finish. Points leader Tim Flock finished fourth for the fourth consecutive race. All Flock had to do was start the season finale in West Palm Beach, FL and the championship would be his.

FINAL RACE: West Palm Beach, FL - Tim Flock officially clinched the 1952 NASCAR Grand National championship in dramatic fashion. On the 164th lap of the 200-lapper, Flock crashed his car and rolled violently down the frontstretch. The new champion emerged unscathed and promptly declared, "I bet I'm the only driver who has won the championship on his head." Herb Thomas concluded his brilliant season by winning the finale at West Palm Beach Speedway for his eight victory of the year. He finished the season 106 points behind Flock. Lee Petty finished fourth at West Palm Beach and third in the final standings. Fonty Flock again was runner-up to Thomas in the race and scored a fourth place finish in the standings. Dick Rathmann's five wins on the year put him in fifth place in the point standings. Bill Blair only started 19 races, as oppossed to Tim Flock's 33, and finished sixth in points.


THE YEAR WAS 1953



WINSTON CUP STANDINGS (TOP 10)
Rank Driver Points
1. Herb Thomas 8460
2. Lee Petty 7814
3. Dick Rathman 7362
4. Buck Baker 6713
5. Fonty Flock 6174
6. Tim Flock 5011
7. Jim Paschal 4211
8. Joe Eubanks 3603
9. Jimmy Lewallen 3508
10. Curtis Turner 3508
More

1953 Season Recap
February 6, 2002
10:43 PM EST (0343 GMT)
Following his 1951 NASCAR Grand National (now the NASCAR Winston Cup Series) championship and tremendous runner-up performance in 1952, Herb Thomas rode his momentum to another championship in 1953. Along the way, Thomas earned the distinction of being the first champion in NASCAR Winston Cup Series history to win two championships in his career. Thomas also trumped the magnificent performances of the two previous seasons, winning 12 times and pocketing $28,909.59 in prize money.

Herb Thomas consistently turned in dominating performances during the 1952 season and wrapped up the title in a similar fashion.

FIVE RACES TO GO: Bloomsburg, PA - Coming to the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds with an 874-point lead over Dick Rathmann, Herb Thomas had all but mathematically clinched the 1953 NASCAR Grand National championship. Rathmann slid even further behind Thomas after finishing second in Bloomsburg, simply because Thomas won the race, his 11th of the season. Contenders Buck Baker, Lee Petty and Fonty Flock maintained their positions in the standings with third, sixth and 15th place finishes, respectively.











FOUR RACES TO GO: Wilson, NC - Herb Thomas clinched his second NASCAR Grand National title with four races remaining in the 1953 season by leading every lap and winning the race at Wilson Speedway. Thomas' 12th win of the season ended the title hopes for his closest challengers, but they were still jockeying for position. Lee Petty, who finished fourth, still trailed Dick Rathmann, who finished sixth. Fonty Flock came home third.

THREE RACES TO GO: North Wilkesboro, NC - With the title sewn up, Herb Thomas' 15th place finish at North Wilkesboro Speedway was of no concern to the champion. Dick Rathmann, gunning for second place in the final standings, had a bad day and finished 24th in the field of 31. Lee Petty closed the gap on Rathmann with his fifth place finish. Fonty Flock was challenging Buck Baker fourth in the point standings. Baker won the pole and finished sixth, while Flock gained a little ground with his runner-up finish.

TWO RACES TO GO: Martinsville, VA - Although Dick Rathmann was in danger of losing his second place position in points, he was not entered in the race at Martinsville Speedway. With a runner-up finish in the 200-lap race, Lee Petty closed the gap on Rathmann and could overtake him in the finale. Fonty Flock took the pole at Martinsville in an effort to nab fourth in the point standings from Buck Baker, but Baker showed an early dominance. After leading the first 127 laps of the race, Baker's car failed him and he wound up in 20th place. Flock finished fourth, but it was not enough to capture fourth in the standings. Champion Herb Thomas came in last in the 26-car field.

FINAL RACE: Atlanta, GA - Lee Petty was right on his tail for second place in the final point standings, yet Dick Rathmann was not entered in the season finale at Lakewood Speedway. Fonty Flock finished the race in second place, and as Petty tried to take the position on Turn 4 of the final lap, he spun but still managed to finish third. His finish moved him into second place in the point standings. Buck Baker won the season finale but did not have enough points to catch the absent Rathmann, who finished the season in third place. Fonty Flock and his brother Tim finished the season in fifth and sixth place, respectively. Two-time champion Herb Thomas' lackluster recent performances concluded with a 14th place finish at Martinsville, but he won the title by an impressive 646 points.