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All,
Looking to build a 408 stroker - 500 HP at the most.
I've read tons on all of the builds/cranks/kits etc.
is there any year 360 engine that is more desire able than others? Or are they all just the same?
I prefer LA, not magnum.
BUT......is there any advantage to Magnum over LA, or vice versa?

Thanks all!

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No proof on this, but the E58 coded motors were supposed to have hand picked parts off the assembly line with tighter tolerance's. Again, hear-say on the block, but for sure they came with things like HD water pump bearings, special silicone valve cover gaskets, nimonic exhaust valves, double roller timing chain / sprockets, windage tray, HD bearings, HD manifold castings, extra clearance for valve stems / ring lands, specially selected cast iron crank ( no under cuts form the factory ). Fifth didget on the vin will be an "L" to designate E58 motor. The 2 that I have had sonic tested have had walls in the .2 range. On the other side, ran a 71 block out of a motor home for a few years ( in the 500 HP range ) with no problems.

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No proof on this, but the E58 coded motors were supposed to have hand picked parts off the assembly line with tighter tolerance's. Again, hear-say on the block, but for sure they came with things like HD water pump bearings, special silicone valve cover gaskets, nimonic exhaust valves, double roller timing chain / sprockets, windage tray, HD bearings, HD manifold castings, extra clearance for valve stems / ring lands, specially selected cast iron crank ( no under cuts form the factory ). Fifth didget on the vin will be an "L" to designate E58 motor. The 2 that I have had sonic tested have had walls in the .2 range. On the other side, ran a 71 block out of a motor home for a few years ( in the 500 HP range ) with no problems.

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For 500 hp any block should be fine as long as it sonic tests fine, most are still fine at that level even without testing if you don't go crazy on bore size.

The strongest production 360 block out there is a magnum block. Unless you are bent on running LA heads, in that case you got to get oil to the shaft somehow, either add an oil line, PR oil them and hope for the best, find a machine shop that can drill the hole through the deck and hit the cam bearing hole, or use a 89-92 block so you can still use the roller cam at least. If a big bore is the primary concern and you want to run flat tappet (or pay for conversion) then a 70-71 block is supposed to have thick bores but 40+ years of neglect tends to rot the cylinders from the water jacket side of things so again you need to sonic test.

Long story short run a magnum block with magnum based heads so you get the strongest, least corroded, roller set up, EFI ready for the future (or now).

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For 500 hp any block should be fine as long as it sonic tests fine, most are still fine at that level even without testing if you don't go crazy on bore size.

The strongest production 360 block out there is a magnum block. Unless you are bent on running LA heads, in that case you got to get oil to the shaft somehow, either add an oil line, PR oil them and hope for the best, find a machine shop that can drill the hole through the deck and hit the cam bearing hole, or use a 89-92 block so you can still use the roller cam at least. If a big bore is the primary concern and you want to run flat tappet (or pay for conversion) then a 70-71 block is supposed to have thick bores but 40+ years of neglect tends to rot the cylinders from the water jacket side of things so again you need to sonic test.

Long story short run a magnum block with magnum based heads so you get the strongest, least corroded, roller set up, EFI ready for the future (or now).

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Whoa! Now there's some info I never knew!
I was thinking about running a hydraulic roller cam....so, it sounds much simpler oiling wise to use a magnum block/heads?
And if the magnum block is stronger in general, I may want to use one regardless?
This I a all very useful information, and I appreciate it very much!
So for another (maybe dumb) question, what year dod the 360 become a magnum?

Thanks again!

Wally

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92 for 318 and 93 for 360 but I have a 92 360 block that have magnum provisions. Also the magnum block still had LA oilling up to 95. My current block is a 95 date code magnum 360 block and it still has the LA oil feed provision. I agree with the magnum blocks, was always told they were weak, but have never seen one break yet, but I'm darn sure trying

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ive always been told that the 496 castings are the best to have for a 360 block

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I had a 71 360 standard bore block that was so thin it was not safe to go .030 over.
I ended up using a 78 block that was very thick.
You need to sonic check any OEM block.

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Well, after one phone call, and a couple text messages, I've secured myself a 360 '73 model year that was in a camper with only 50k miles for $100!
I think that's what il be going with!!

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You will kick yourself for not running a Magnum motor.

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Well, after one phone call, and a couple text messages, I've secured myself a 360 '73 model year that was in a camper with only 50k miles for $100!
I think that's what il be going with!!

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You will kick yourself for not running a Magnum motor.

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