315 Hemi Power Giant (?)

Discussion of the Early Dodge / DeSoto HEMIs.

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Kansas Tom
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Joined: Thu Apr 17, 2008 12:52 pm

315 Hemi Power Giant (?)

Post by Kansas Tom »

I have a 1954 Dodge truck with a hemi with a valve cover sticker stating "315 Power Giant". I know that Power Giant was a poly engine introduced in 1957 Is this a 241 Dodge hemi that has had its block replaced with a 315 poly block or 315 hemi block? S/N of block in front of valley is 1342-501 and these numbers look to be hand stamped and that would suggest the block is a replacement. Is there a easy way to determine what I really have? Is there any interest in these small hemi motors? Possible value? Engine is complete, still in vehicle and starts and runs well. Many thanks...Tom
George
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Re: 315 Hemi Power Giant (?)

Post by George »

There's a 354 "Power Giant" that is a Chr hemi truck engine. Look for casting numbers, block, heads, intake & post them.
Kansas Tom
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Joined: Thu Apr 17, 2008 12:52 pm

Re: 315 Hemi Power Giant (?)

Post by Kansas Tom »

George...Thanks for your response. The motor is still in a vehicle and caked with crud and the only casting number I can easily locate is the intake which is 1735773-?. In the front of the valley the block is hand stamped 1342-501. I measured the valve cover length and they are 18 inches. Everything seems to indicate it is a little 241 perched atop a 315 poly Power Giant block. Thanks...Tom
ks662
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Location: kansas

Re: 315 Hemi Power Giant (?)

Post by ks662 »

Leo's book says 57-59 truck,315 2bbl on the intake.any letters in front of those block numbers?
...John
Kansas Tom
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Joined: Thu Apr 17, 2008 12:52 pm

Re: 315 Hemi Power Giant (?)

Post by Kansas Tom »

John...No letters before the hand stamped numbers in the front of the valley. Am surprised the intake apparently is from a 315 poly. Can you tell me where the head casting numbers are located? Thanks...Tom
ks662
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Location: kansas

Re: 315 Hemi Power Giant (?)

Post by ks662 »

Tom
pull the valve covers you can't miss the numbers.
...John
ks662
Posts: 26
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Location: kansas

Re: 315 Hemi Power Giant (?)

Post by ks662 »

Tom
I found this old post from 2004 similar to your motor?
...John
viewtopic.php?t=869
Kansas Tom
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Apr 17, 2008 12:52 pm

Re: 315 Hemi Power Giant (?)

Post by Kansas Tom »

John...Many thanks for the info from 2004. And the plot seems to thicken as apparently something like what I have has been done before. But unraveling someone's work of 50 years ago probably isn't going to be easy. BTW back in the late '50s as a teenager I actually owned a Dodge sedan with a 241 Red Ram and was quite impressed with it...now a half century later another small hemi comes my way! Won't get to do much more research on casting numbers, etc until early next week as little wife has plans for me beginning at 4PM today and taking up much of the weekend. Also enjoyed your poly engine picture posting...in addition to the '54 Dodge truck with the hemi I have a '57 Dodge 600 truck with a poly engine...old brute only shows 14,600 miles and runs out good...unit is ex US government and fire department usage and mileage is probably creditable. Good to see you folks are saving the grand old hemi and poly engines! Tom
ks662
Posts: 26
Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2005 1:56 pm
Location: kansas

Re: 315 Hemi Power Giant (?)

Post by ks662 »

Tom
Sounds like you have some good iron there.Always something new to find out about these old motors they always keep you guessing.
.....John
George
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Joined: Wed Aug 25, 2004 4:12 pm
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Re: 315 Hemi Power Giant (?)

Post by George »

Where high & low deck intakes don't interchange, it's most likely a 315 truck engine.
George
Posts: 692
Joined: Wed Aug 25, 2004 4:12 pm
Location: Fl

Re: 315 Hemi Power Giant (?)

Post by George »

Kansas Tom wrote: Everything seems to indicate it is a little 241 perched atop a 315 poly Power Giant block. Thanks...Tom
241 heads on a 315 block will work, but not the best choice. Check out Doc Fromader's 315 build on Webrodder.
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