RE: Hemi vs. Max Wedge

[mikelj@xxxxxxx]

Thanks to everyone for your views.  I remember my college roomate had a '68 Coronet R/T with the Hemi, it seemed to have lots of problems and he traded it after a few months for a 440 R/T.  But it is obvious it matters what intakes and cams you have on either engine, so thanks for the insights on that too.  There is also a case to be made it seems to just upgrade my exisiting 383 2 bbl.  I guess I could squeeze a few horses out of it with a 4 bbl. better manifold, and better cam, plus dual exhausts without modfifying it too much.  I will think about this, and thanks again for your experience.

Mike in New Mexico



 

> To: 1962to1965mopars@xxxxxxxxxx
> From: big-d@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: Hemi vs. Max Wedge
> Date: Mon, 9 Mar 2009 10:21:47 -0400
> 
> 
> 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. 
> 
> 

--
[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.