Re: Old 318 with new magnum heads...yay or nay?
[Re: 65rbdodge]
#1180345
02/28/12 01:15 PM
02/28/12 01:15 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,688 Marlboro, NY, USA
Rick_Ehrenberg
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,688
Marlboro, NY, USA
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Quote:
i have seen and heard about them being cracked, but have never heard about it being a problem.
Yeah, every one has cracked exhaust seats, but work fine.
Still, the all-new Australian EQ heads flow like Edelbrocks for 1/2 the price.
The overall Magnum engine "package" has lots of other upgrades, serp. belt / tensioner, much better water pump, etc.
Keeping the OEM (junkyard) SMPI is also easy, and an AWESOME swap.
If you've gotta stay with LA heads (really bucks down), #308 castings (90-92 360) are the winners. "X" intake ports, near-W-2 exhausts.
Rick
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Re: Old 318 with new magnum heads *UPDATE*
[Re: Rick_Ehrenberg]
#1180346
03/07/12 10:06 PM
03/07/12 10:06 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,630 North Central Florida
eightlitermopar
OP
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OP
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North Central Florida
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Well, I scoured the junkyard today and came home with a new set of heads. It took forever to get the 154 bolts (insert sarcasm here) off the front of the motor to release the heads, but I did get them. It was off a 1996 full size dodge van. It was the 8 lug axles (so 3/4 or 1 ton I guess).... Anyway, From the little I know they are the magnum heads. They look super clean and promising. I got the heads complete with rockers and valve covers for just over $100 bucks. I think for that price it is worth a try. What can anyone tell me about these heads? Anything I need to know? I know I need another intake manifold. I know I need new pushrods... What about the hydraulic lifters? I assume stock doesn't work, so what do I need to replace them with so I can have oiling through the pushrods? The casting on it says 302, and the rockers are pedestal mounted, so I am thinking magnum 318. Any thoughts? eightlitermopar
Mopar or no car
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Re: Old 318 with new magnum heads *UPDATE*
[Re: dogdays]
#1180348
03/17/12 12:51 AM
03/17/12 12:51 AM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,630 North Central Florida
eightlitermopar
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Ok, I have the heads apart and I will be reassembling them this week.
Which head gaskets have you guys for this swap?
MAGNUM OR LA ?
I have seen online stuff say either, but I am wondering what you used and what has worked?
I have the magnum felpro gaskets, but I can get the LA ones if they are better. Thanks
eightlitermopar
Mopar or no car
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Re: Old 318 with new magnum heads *UPDATE*
[Re: 65rbdodge]
#1180350
03/17/12 03:01 PM
03/17/12 03:01 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,630 North Central Florida
eightlitermopar
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thats what I was thinking. It's hard to figure out when google search turns up both answers.
Looks like the magnum ones are the winner.
eightlitermopar
Mopar or no car
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Re: Old 318 with new magnum heads *UPDATE*
[Re: dogdays]
#1180355
03/18/12 01:31 PM
03/18/12 01:31 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,630 North Central Florida
eightlitermopar
OP
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OP
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Thanks for the input guys.
It looks like the Mr. Gasket head gaskets are the way I will go. After all, the bump in compression is what I like about this head swap.
I also have a pushrod length tool I will use to see exaclty what length I need for this combo. At that point I will be able to see any potential clearance issues.
I'm getting excited about seeing the difference this will make. Right now the motor runs good, but not fantastic.
Eightlitemopar.
Mopar or no car
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Re: Old 318 with new magnum heads *UPDATE*
[Re: patrick]
#1180358
10/20/12 12:42 AM
10/20/12 12:42 AM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,630 North Central Florida
eightlitermopar
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This is an update from last spring. I decided to wait to pull the motor until this fall. We took several family road trips over the summer and it ran well. I now have the hunk of grease out of the car. The drivers motor mount is completely separated! I have the magnum heads and intake, now I just need to break into the motor to see what lurks underneath. Since this motor does not burn ANY oil and it has good power, I don't plan on doing fresh rings unless someone can really convince me otherwise. If I am going to dump a lot of money into something, I will go with a true magnum motor or a big block. During this "freshen up" I plan on replacing: 1) All gaskets 2) New Water pump (to go along with a new radiator since the stock one is starting to leak) 3) New Oil Pump 4) New Camshaft : The cam now is visibly worn on the lobes 5) New Timing Chain. Anything I am missig here? Any suggestions? Anyway, that is my current update if anyone is interested! eightlitermopar
Mopar or no car
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Re: Old 318 with new magnum heads *UPDATE*
[Re: eightlitermopar]
#1180363
02/17/13 02:47 PM
02/17/13 02:47 PM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,167 Maryland
GO_Fish
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master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,167
Maryland
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Quote:
Quote:
Looking good! You may want to mock up the alternator and see how it fits. I'm running a LA 360 with Magnum heads... Front of the motor is off the original '68 318. I'm running a later model "square back" alternator, and it was necessary to grind the front end of the passenger Magnum head for the alternator to fit right. If you are using the '69 style alternator you may or may not have this problem, but easier to check and remedy before the engine goes back in.
Thanks! Mocking up the front of the engine and components is next, as I am waiting for a pushrod length checking tool and a solid lifter to get here. If I may ask, what length pushrods are you using? Hydraulic lifters? I didn't think it would be so complicated to determine what lifters to use...
eight
I put mine together several years ago when the MP push rods were still available. They are a little noisy, but no problems to this date. I had no push rod clearance issues, but I did check it when it was on the engine stand during assembly. I have stock '68 318 valve covers bolted to the Magnum heads, no clearance problems or modification required.
Last edited by GO_Fish; 02/17/13 02:49 PM.
Scott B.
"I'm a self-made man... I started with nothing, and I still have most of it!"
68 360 rusty B'cuda 'vert (GO Fish)13.59@ 98.72 mph
69 340 GTS stock 14.18@ 95.60 mph
01 5.9L Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4
01 3.5L 300M 16.23@ 86.97 mph
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