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318 or 360? #1462324
07/03/13 05:47 PM
07/03/13 05:47 PM
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Nimbus426 Offline OP
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Looking for a good small block to run in my 72 Scamp. I found a 1969 318 out of a Charger and a 1981 360 4bbl out of a motor home. Both run good and are about the same price. Which would I be better off with? I know the 318 is going to have better compression being a 60's model. But does anyone think the 360 is a better choice? Thanks


-ERIC
Re: 318 or 360? [Re: Nimbus426] #1462325
07/03/13 06:52 PM
07/03/13 06:52 PM
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Andrewh Offline
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I guess that depends.
are you just buying them as is and dropping them in?

how much is your budget?
5.9 out of the yards and crosswind intake?

do you already have motor mounts and a pan for the 360?

Re: 318 or 360? [Re: Andrewh] #1462326
07/03/13 07:07 PM
07/03/13 07:07 PM
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Nimbus426 Offline OP
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Yes I am dropping them in as is. I plan on getting the /6 to V8 conversion mounts from Schumacher and no I don't have a pan for the 360 yet. I guess what I'm trying to determine is which engine bone stock is going to give me the most power. Thanks for your help.


-ERIC
Re: 318 or 360? [Re: Nimbus426] #1462327
07/03/13 07:13 PM
07/03/13 07:13 PM
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Columbus, GA
Michael Ecks Offline
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For about the same price I don't see much of a question. 360 all the way. The slightly higher compression of the earlier 318 vs the torque of the 360's stroke and additional 42ci, is a no brainer to me.


"The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of
your thoughts" ~ Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius
Re: 318 or 360? [Re: Michael Ecks] #1462328
07/03/13 07:15 PM
07/03/13 07:15 PM
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Overpriced Housing Central
RobX4406 Offline
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I'd run the 360.

Re: 318 or 360? [Re: Nimbus426] #1462329
07/03/13 07:16 PM
07/03/13 07:16 PM
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Andrewh Offline
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that is tought.
I would expect the 360 to have more torque which is what you are going to feel seat of the pants wise.

are you getting the transmissions too?
not real sure what you would get out of an 81 motor home, but you know the 68 is going to be a 904.

Re: 318 or 360? [Re: Michael Ecks] #1462330
07/03/13 07:18 PM
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dynamite Offline
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I did a swap kinda like that years ago..my 70 318 ran good and had about 80k on it..I found a 78 360 good running for free with like 65k miles..so I did the swap.I ..The 318 was stronger and got a lot better mileage..

Re: 318 or 360? [Re: Andrewh] #1462331
07/03/13 07:21 PM
07/03/13 07:21 PM
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Nimbus426 Offline OP
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The 360 comes with a working transmission and the motor is complete from top to bottom. Still has a/c compressor and power steering pump attached. It's actually a little cheaper than the 318 too. Torque is definitely what I'm looking for so I might just look into getting the 360. Any tips for some cheap horsepower?


-ERIC
Re: 318 or 360? [Re: Nimbus426] #1462332
07/03/13 07:34 PM
07/03/13 07:34 PM
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zrxkawboy Offline
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360, for the reasons mentioned above, plus, it will have hardened valve seats for unleaded gas.


It's Swifty! Swifty, you toad sucker!
Re: 318 or 360? [Re: zrxkawboy] #1462333
07/03/13 07:44 PM
07/03/13 07:44 PM
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Columbus, GA
Michael Ecks Offline
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Quote:

360, for the reasons mentioned above, plus, it will have hardened valve seats for unleaded gas.




Excellent point on the hardened seats!

I don't know A bodies so well, but I am not sure a motor home 727 will bold right in, especially if it is like a normal truck loadflight vs car torqueflight. It would be trade or resell material though.

By the B&M 360 to 904 weighted flexplate and run a 904 behind it. The 904 uses less horsepower to operate so more ends up at the rear wheel. For stock pistons etc, a smaller cam like an edelbrock performer with matched valve springs will give you the best performance.


"The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of
your thoughts" ~ Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius
Re: 318 or 360? [Re: Nimbus426] #1462334
07/03/13 07:45 PM
07/03/13 07:45 PM
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scratchnfotraction Offline
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Quote:

The 360 comes with a working transmission and the motor is complete from top to bottom. Still has a/c compressor and power steering pump attached. It's actually a little cheaper than the 318 too. Torque is definitely what I'm looking for so I might just look into getting the 360. Any tips for some cheap horsepower?




replace the low stall TC from the 360/MH trans to a stock high stall TC weighted for the 360 external balance.

thats the biggest improvement for bone stock 318 or 360 engine. IMHO.

then the regular bolt ons like carb/intake/headers/rear gears make a fun A-body


Re: 318 or 360? [Re: Michael Ecks] #1462335
07/03/13 07:46 PM
07/03/13 07:46 PM
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RUNCHARGER Offline
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360, all the way.

Sheldon

Re: 318 or 360? [Re: Michael Ecks] #1462336
07/03/13 07:53 PM
07/03/13 07:53 PM
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scratchnfotraction Offline
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Quote:

Quote:

360, for the reasons mentioned above, plus, it will have hardened valve seats for unleaded gas.




Excellent point on the hardened seats!

I don't know A bodies so well, but I am not sure a motor home 727 will bold right in, especially if it is like a normal truck loadflight vs car torqueflight. It would be trade or resell material though.

By the B&M 360 to 904 weighted flexplate and run a 904 behind it. The 904 uses less horsepower to operate so more ends up at the rear wheel. For stock pistons etc, a smaller cam like an edelbrock performer with matched valve springs will give you the best performance.




a short shaft 727 with bolt on yoke will bolt in and work if you build the drive shaft with spline/slip yoke. (I had a 76 short shaft 727 in my 68 Dart also my 88 440 truck with a BB short shaft)

Re: 318 or 360? [Re: scratchnfotraction] #1462337
07/03/13 09:34 PM
07/03/13 09:34 PM
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Nimbus426 Offline OP
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Sounds like the 360 is the way to go. I think it will give the most bang for the buck. Plus it is more complete and with a little work it will make a fun driver out of that Scamp. Thank you all for your input! You've been very helpful!


-ERIC
Re: 318 or 360? [Re: Nimbus426] #1462338
07/03/13 10:50 PM
07/03/13 10:50 PM
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rustbuckett68 Offline
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You could always use the 318, and tell people it's a "Charger" engine. Works for the chevy guys (corvette).

Re: 318 or 360? [Re: Nimbus426] #1462339
07/04/13 06:17 AM
07/04/13 06:17 AM
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the frozen wastes...
Pale_Roader Offline
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Quote:

Any tips for some cheap horsepower?




Use the 904.

As for the engine choice, as much as i'm on a small-engine big-efficiency kick, for what MOST people want, the 360 is the obvious choice. A Charger is just too heavy for a 318 anyways.

Better choice would be to continue shopping around and find a 5.9L 360 Magnum, and do that swap instead. Better mileage, way more power, hell... many different little bonuses overall. I just bumped a pretty informative thread about it.

Re: 318 or 360? [Re: Pale_Roader] #1462340
07/04/13 01:18 PM
07/04/13 01:18 PM
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Grand Haven, MI
patrick Offline
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if you want more power, go 360...if you want mileage, go with the 318....

for the 360, replace the cam with a lunati voodoo 60401 and valve springs with the comp #901's

if you want "free hp" run a 904 based 998 tranny--it has the lower gear set (2.74 first and 1.54 second, instead of 2.45/1.45) and it takes about 1/2 to 1/3 the power to spin than a 727.


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1986 Silver/Twilight Blue Chrysler 5th Ave HotRod **SOLD!***
2011 Toxic Orange Dodge Charger R/T
2017 Grand Cherokee Overland
2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude (holy crap, my daughter is driving)
Re: 318 or 360? [Re: Nimbus426] #1462341
07/04/13 01:35 PM
07/04/13 01:35 PM
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Lincoln Nebraska
RapidRobert Offline
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Quote:

I found a 1969 318 out of a Charger and a 1981 360 4bbl out of a motor home. Both run good and are about the same price. Which would I be better off with? But does anyone think the 360 is a better choice?


I do. 360/904. dual plane intake/eddy 1406 or one of the Holley clones with the adjustable systems. spend alot of time tweaking the dist curve & the exhausst is the most restricted area & therefore needs the most attention, 340 HP manifolds (pricey but good/fit well) or headers (a pain unless tti's & they're pricey but reportedly fit very very well & that's 90% of the problem with headers). New timing chain set & Patrick is the man to listen to on the cam setup. Good luck! & keep us posted


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