Small blocks

['69FuryIIIConvertible]

In planning for the rebirth of my 69 convertible, I have come to the point of engine. The car it's self is (was) a E44 318 2 barrel car. When I purchased it, it had a 78 360 in it. I sold it and found a good used 69 318 that had previously been rebuilt.

At this point I've spent too much time thinking about what I could do to tweak things. When I played around with that 318, it ended up with a 68 340 automatic grind cam, 86 #302 swirl port heads, 68 340 intake, Edelbrock 500 CFM w/ electric choke and electronic ignition.

I've seen spent the last year or so bouncing between the idea of a Magnum 318 or a LA 360.

Both being fairly readily available in my area (no shortage or rotted out second generation Ram's or 80's B vans)

I'm just wanting some advice and input from those who are far more experienced then myself.

My last small block was the one I built for the 73, which is wearing #308 360 heads, 73 340 intake, and has a 73 340 cam.

My main goal is a driver that I can do long distance highway driving with, but has more pep then stock. I will be pairing it with my 727 and either a 2.94 or 3.23 gear.

Nick

 

[cbarge]

In planning for the rebirth of my 69 convertible, I have come to the point of engine. The car it's self is (was) a E44 318 2 barrel car. When I purchased it, it had a 78 360 in it. I sold it and found a good used 69 318 that had previously been rebuilt.

At this point I've spent too much time thinking about what I could do to tweak things. When I played around with that 318, it ended up with a 68 340 automatic grind cam, 86 #302 swirl port heads, 68 340 intake, Edelbrock 500 CFM w/ electric choke and electronic ignition.

I've seen spent the last year or so bouncing between the idea of a Magnum 318 or a LA 360.

Both being fairly readily available in my area (no shortage or rotted out second generation Ram's or 80's B vans)

I'm just wanting some advice and input from those who are far more experienced then myself.

My last small block was the one I built for the 73, which is wearing #308 360 heads, 73 340 intake, and has a 73 340 cam.

My main goal is a driver that I can do long distance highway driving with, but has more pep then stock. I will be pairing it with my 727 and either a 2.94 or 3.23 gear.

Nick

You know what a mild cam and 2.94's can do! LOL!!
Seriously, running Magnum heads from a 5.9L with a cross drilled intake you can run a higher lift cam with shorter duration and still pull lots of vacuum. Result is a smooth running engine that will have grunt when needed yet have good city and street manners

 

[73Coupe]

...

 

[cbarge]

Nick,are you thinking of using a block with hydraulic roller lifters??
If so this cam will work..#20-810-9 with a 2500 stall and the gears you mentioned.
20-810-9 - Xtreme Energy™ Retro-Fit Hydraulic Roller Camshafts
Will work in either a 'teen or 360
Hope this helps

 

[The Goose]

You’re looking in the right direction. It’s easy to make a 318 c body better w 340 power. Big deal is the trans. I’ve done 904 and 727 both work but 904 is not the choice if you’re gonna beat on it. I’ve had lots of small blocks that were big block killers but that doesn’t sound like what you’re fishing for. Buy an early 360 for pennies and get the good rods etc etc forged crank doesn’t mean anything if you’re not building a 900 horse death wagon. Don’t sweat the cast crank I’ve never broke one. Hughes makes the flex plate you’ll need internally balanced to external weighted covertor vs no weight any of their counter guys will convert what you have to work hassle free.

I love 340s but I traded one to Dennis Mauer (super stock DC shop owner) for a surplus 360 circle track motor new in the crate plus he swapped in a 340 grind street cam. That motor was a monster ran on pump premium and was unkillable. Any doubt about 360s not cutting the mustard were out the window. You can also run whatever type front set up works best in your ride. Pre70 style water pump or latter long snout just be sure your fan will fit. Good luck with your build. I’ve built 4 340 convertible fury’s and not one missed having a big block.

PS that 360 went in a 66 dart. It broke transmissions and a rear axle but never itself Lol !!! Awesome.

Early 360 motor + 10 to 1 pistons + 340 cam w flat tappets + windage tray + the stronger oil pump drive shaft + LD340 edlebrock intake and a 3310 Holley carb = Giant killer.

 

[71Polara383]

Following as you know I have a small block in the Servprolara. Initially I wanted to go 383. Still a possibility of a 383, but after the drive to Carlisle getting 15mpgs consistantly and dragging on the rear bump stops 800 miles because I was overloaded...I'm convinced on staying with the small block.

 

[65sporty]

I like the idea of a Magnum 360 with a little cam and a carb intake added.

 

['69FuryIIIConvertible]

Where a lot of this began was the Fact I recently picked up a '79 E58 360 Pursuit...

I originally bought it with my M body in mind, then quickly decided not to tamper with an unmolested time capsule.

Then I remembered the fact the ragtop had a 360 in it when I bought it...I've come to appreciate the 360 over the years.

Some of the most potent race cars my buddies have are 360 powered.

So building a mild 360 isn't much of a stretch.

The idea of the Magnum 360 has been there too as I love the Performance of my 01 Ram. It has an awesome torque curve.

Then I started reading about 360 Magnum swaps and how much of a pain they were while 318 Magnum swaps were fairly straight forward...

Too many ideas.

 

[Dobalovr]

I installed a Mopar Purple Shaft and Eddy intake & Carb on my 79 E58 300. Sounds great but haven't had a chance to really open it up yet on the road. The interior is gutted at the moment. Looking forward to a few test runs later this summer. I say go for it as it was a simple build up IMHO