Re: Hemi vs. Max Wedge

[Don Dulmage <big-d@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I have had both.
My max wedge is very driveable despite its big cam and higher compression 
but I use the NASCAR intake  (Rev 2 )which was a intake , single 4 barrrel 
developed for circle track racing these motors. If you go to 
dropshots.com/Dolmetsch you can find a couple of videos of it cruising. I 
also sustituted my private grind hydraulic cam which is almost the same 
specs numerically as the max wedge orignal but eliminates the valve 
adjstment routine and the racket from the solids. It also makes more power 
having more lift (becauseno valve lash to be subtracted from ift figues 
(Solid ligfter valve lifts are given at zero lash which is ridiculous since 
no solid lifter cam runs at zero lash) and a hydraulic has a bit more 
effective duration since it isnt being spent snugging up the lash. Since 
solids are really only necessary for high RPM above 7000 and since a max 
wedge never sees that it works fine. I have now well over 30,000 miles on 
it. I had a 426 hemi in the 70s on the street in a 63 Dodge post car. It was 
a 68 Charger engine that had been discarded by the previous owners due to 
high mainenance and also the car had been wrecked. I did not have trouble 
with it either although I did look after it. I drove it on the street for a 
year but no one would play so I made it into a racecar  and eventually 
reinstalled it in a 69 Dart. It is still running BTWand is now in a FED with 
an underdriven blower on it.(I was privilaged to be the ladst to freshen it 
and it was still in good condition.  It was high maintenance engine but not 
unreasonably. I am currently helping a frend do a 426 hemi for a 68 RR. I am 
in charge of parts picking and such and do it in conjunction with my old 
friend and the guy i apprenticed for machine shop under Harry Wilson. It 
will be hydrualic cammed , twin carters (or eddys)  just under 10 to 1 
compression and will need to be maintainace free. In my career the vast 
magority of engines i built were for non car guys and would have to run with 
competitive power for a season with no Don around as I didnt go racing wth 
them. Steert engines were the same. Some fellows would not even be able to 
change plugs so i got used to building this style of motor. Many are still 
running 20 to 30 years later. I will see how this hemi turns out but I am 
confident we can do it --- because we have to! The biggest deal with the 426 
is getting the carb linkage in sync. The difference this makes is huge and 
can be the difference between a puker (big bog) and a stomper despite its 
seemingly simple operation. I know some go to the single four for the 426 
but really once set up right it is a mechnical thing and can only be changed 
by a well meaning but ill informed friend with ichy fingers. Now someone 
will say you put a single 4 on your 426 MAX Wedge but wouldnt do so on the 
hemi. I am defenceless to that because it is true. The 426 MW single four 
was a factory piece though even though according to big Daddy museum it is 
very rare. I almost had to bleed for mine.  A simlar piece was remade by MP 
a few years back though. For me the choice Hemi or MAX Wedge would be 
strictly a $ thing. hemis are expensive, period, but they sure shut the 
bowtie crowd up. You can hear them shaking in thier boots when they see one.
Anyway , you asked. That has been my experience.
Don
BTW I loked after a fleet of 426 hemis for car collectorglen Cole for 23 
years hehad everything froma 67 426 Charger to a 71 426 Charger including a 
69 436 hemi 500 (flush grill and flush rear window. )That was sold to me 
Ericson of Ericson tiedowns.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <mikelj@xxxxxxx>
To: <1962to1965mopars@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, March 08, 2009 7:16 PM
Subject: Hemi vs. Max Wedge


> I know all you guys have good advice and opinions about things Mopar.  So 
> let me ask a question as to your views on putting a 426 Hemi (425 horse, 
> dual quad type) vs. a 426 or 413 Max Wedge Stage III in a '64 Polara.  I 
> know the torque and HP curves for them, but I am interested in the 
> streetability and driveability of these engine setups.  I like to drive my 
> cars and don't like cars that won't start easily, idle dependably, or 
> stall frequently.  And I like an engine that is dependable and not too 
> cantankerous and needing lots of attention.  Given that, I would be 
> interested in your opinions of which would be best for a street car. 
> Thanks.
>
> Mike in New Mexico
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
> ----
> Please address private mail -- mail of interest to only one person --  
> directly to that person.  I.e., send parts/car transactions and 
> negotiations as well as other personal messages only to the intended 
> recipient, not to the Clubhouse public address. This practice will protect 
> your privacy, reduce the total volume of mail and fine tune the content 
> signal to Mopar topic.  Thanks!
>
> '62 to '65 Mopar Clubhouse Discussion Guidelines:
> http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/mletiq.html.


----
Please address private mail -- mail of interest to only one person -- directly to that person.  I.e., send parts/car transactions and negotiations as well as other personal messages only to the intended recipient, not to the Clubhouse public address. This practice will protect your privacy, reduce the total volume of mail and fine tune the content signal to Mopar topic.  Thanks!

'62 to '65 Mopar Clubhouse Discussion Guidelines:
http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/mletiq.html.