1968 Fury 318 to 360 swap

[xxcarguy]

Just a question about how close will the 360 match up to my LA 318?
Will the 360 casting have all the same A/C mounting holes?
Will the torque converter also work or will on need a new B&M flex plate or replace the converter also?
The small details are what seems to stop this kinda swap.
Is it worth doing? Just want a little more bottom end torque.
Thanks for you help.

 

[Wollfen]

The AC mounts should be no problem, and the flex plate will be the same too. But the torque converter is counterbalanced on the 360's so either get the torque converter you have balanced to suit, or a simpler job, pick up a 360 torque converter and slip it in. Keep in mind that if you have an original 727 in your car which I am assuming you do, you will need a non lockup converter. Same applies if your car is fitted with a 904. Also 904 and 727 converters are not interchangeable.

 

[FURYGT]

The stock rear gear in a '68 Fury with a 318 or 383-2bbl is a 2.76. Have you considered switching to a 2.98 or 3.23 rear gear? A gear change may get you what you are looking for especially if you have electronic ignition and a dual exhaust system. Just a thought and something less expensive and less involved to try first. '67 Fury's had the 2.98 rear gear as the stock gear and I have drive a friends stock '67 with a 318 and there was a noticeable difference to me vs. when I had a '68 with a 318.

 

[xxcarguy]

I will check the trans to see if it is a 904 or 727.
I will check the gears to see what it has.

 

[xxcarguy]

Just a little more torque for going up hills is what I am looking for over all.

 

[FURYGT]

Just a little more torque for going up hills is what I am looking for over all.

A gear change may do the trick.

 

[xxcarguy]

And the cheapest!

 

[Slap Stick]

The switch is so simple even I did it...back about 1976.
Swapping 3rd member is easiest.
And it keeps the original engine.

 

[xxcarguy]

Yes
That is true

 

[The Goose]

Only real differences to consider are the balance - just call Hughes in Phoenix and get the conversion balanced flexplate. Tell them what you’re swapping and they know the right one you need. Cheap and they have the new bolts too, just buy em. The mounts on your 360 may be the spool type. Your 318’s will work but I think you lose 1 bolt hole to make it work with no $ spent. Ben a while but I think that’s how we did it to make the old mounts work. The water pump outlets will be different now and the long snout on the 360 may cause fan clearance issues. We’ve always used your old style pump to avoid that issue.

Good luck w the swap. Call Hughes ask about the conversion flex plates. That’s 99% of the hassle. The 360 will be a good upgrade even better w big valve heads!!!

 

[cbarge]

The B&M flexplate will work with your existing 904 trans.
As others mentioned,a gear swap alone will make significant omprovement.
The drivers side motor mount is different on the 360,BTW Just make sure it came with the 360 and it will bolt up to your car.

 

[xxcarguy]

Thanks
Good to know!

 

[xxcarguy]

Will the gear ratio be in this tag?

 

[xxcarguy]

I don’t have the 68 book.

 

[413]

It says 3.23 Open on that tag

 

[xxcarguy]

I thought so.
Hmmm?