IML: 426 Hemi

["Rob McCall" <Rob_Mopar@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The 426 Hemi was designed for higher RPM use, and was also an expensive
engine to produce.  In street form, they were known for high oil consumption
(even with the oils of the '60's!), a bit cantankerous in their street
manors, and the pre-70 motors used solid lifter cams.  

The forged pistons would allow the oil consumption until the motor was fully
warmed up.  The intake valves were 2.25", and the ports were a straight shot
at the back of that valve.  I think the valve size is more in line with the
exhaust diameter of an Imperial!  

The 426 Street Hemi was intended to allow the motor's use in competition
form.  They are a fine motor, but not what I would consider to use for an
Imperial, at least in stock form.

In street trim, a well tuned 440 would beat a Hemi light to light.  The Hemi
needs to wind up to make its power, the 440 is a torquer.  The 440 6-pack
motors were the best of both worlds.  That would have been more at home in
an Imperial.  It was optional in the '70 Sport Fury GT.

As for the noise, other than the solid lifter clatter, a stock 426 Street
Hemi running full factory exhaust is a fairly quiet car.  

Now, if money were no object, I'd consider a 472-526" stroker version of the
426 for use in a modified Imperial.  Maybe one like that motorless '68
LeBaron that started this thread.  Many other things would have to be done
to make it work properly.  Custom motor mounts, exhaust (including headers),
possibly relocating the master cylinder so the valve cover can be removed
easily, etc.  I would top it off with a reproduction '66-68 "Chrome Dome"
(non fresh air, air cleaner assembly).  

For me, I think a triple black '69 2-door (was the LeBaron available as a
2-door in '69?) would be the best choice for such a monster.  That
combination would just look the most sinister.

For now, I'll just concentrate on getting my '67 roadworthy.

Rob McCall, Hot Rodder at large
'67 LeBaron

-----Original Message-----
From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of A. Foster
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 4:42 PM
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: IML: unlimited supply of idiots

D^2, Rob P;
 I don't think that the tuning issues were exclusive to the 426 Hemi.
Multiple carbed engines were always tricky to set up and the engines so
equipped were high maintenance whether they were race engines or not. If you
take a look back before then very few engines were offered with more then a
four barrel from the factory and those that were usually had dual quads. The
earliest production engine that I can think of that offered something other
then dual quads was the 57' Olds which had a six pack as an option, and that
wasn't offered for long.
  I think that the main issue with those engines was probably the noise
factor, and the fact that they take off rather violently on acceleration for
a refined luxury car. Reliability wouldn't be an issue in that they were
based around a modified 413 block, a very durable engine in itself, if the
Hemi were equiped with a single four barrel carb. In fact most of the mods
made were in terms of beefing it up to such an extent, with cross bolted
bearing caps, special crank, and the like, that even abusive street use
wouldn't come close to hurting it.
 I would imagine, back in the late sixties, if someone had the money, and
knew which palms to grease, that a dealer could come up with an Imperial
equiped with a 426 Hemi.
However given the mature age, and social standing of most Imperial buyers,
and the fact that the street Hemi was a marketable option aimed at the
younger set; I think that it is highly unlikely that there was ever one so
equiped.
Who would order a 6000 pound car with a race engine anyway?
Best Regards
Arran Foster
1954 Imperial Newport
Needing A Left Side tailight bezel and other trim parts





-----------------  http://www.imperialclub.com  -----------------
This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please
reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be
shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the
Administrators should be sent to webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm