The "hemi" combustion chamber had been around even long before Chrysler decided to use the design in their early '50s V8. Yes, Chrysler had a "hemi" in 1951. The second generation of "hemi" engines were those awesome 427s of the '60s. And of course the third generation that Chrysler just introduced is completely different from the earlier two designs. Actually Chrysler is stretching that "hemi" designation as the combustion chamber is not truly hemispherical.

 

Yeah, I'd heard that the new hemi wasn't a true Hemi. But who was the first manufacture to publicly show that they had a hemi head design?

 

I believe it was Ernest Hemiway. :lol:

__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote

 

The first showed up around 1903, here is some Hemi History.....

http://www.allpar.com/mopar/hemi/ardun.html

 

theelcaminofactory I needed that!Thanks... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

I've seen these websites but I'm trying to find people that know if chevy was the inventor and chrysler was the perfector.

Did anyone see that episode of Horse Power TV that covered this?

 

Neither Chevy or Chrysler were around when the hemispherical combustion chamber was first used in an internal combustion engine. The first use goes back to the earliest experiments at the end of the 19th century. Chrysler Corp. did a lot of experimentation during and after WWII and can certainly be credited with the modern use of a "hemi" head in a V8 gasoline engine. Chevy had no part of hemi developement.

 

Small correction,the Hemi's of the mid '60's were 426 ci.Not to be confused with the "high block" 426 wedge.
8) Shane

 

Yes, thank you for the correction. You know while the Hemi Chryslers of the mid 60s to the early 70s were awesome I think most people would agree that the L88 and ZL1 Chevys were equal if not superior and the LS6 Chevy was just as potent especially if compared to the later "street" hemis and not the earliest "race" hemis.

 

Not important

If it doesn't have a bowtie on it, It can't park in my driveway.
Chrysler/Mopar and Ford/Motorcrap have to park on the street.