I have a strange question. My 1977 B300 one ton van has a tired 318. It smokes and is worn out. I intend to pull a race car trailer with the van next year. It has 4.10 rear gearing. I am working on a low budget-read no budget. I want to use parts that I already have to repower the van. Tell me if you think this will work. I have a fresh set of 318 heads LA style. I have a reman 360 shortblock that was running in my 1979 Powerwagon. I want to put the 318 heads on the 360 shortblock, mainly because it will cost $300-$400 to rebuild my 360 heads. I also have a new Sumitt cam and lifters(218 dur/.441 lift) and roller timing set, a Holley Street Dominator intake and a Holley 600 carb. I know this is not the idea set up but I have all the parts. My theory is that the small port 318 heads will have good velocity for volumetric effeciency and the smaller combustion chamber should build more compression into a low compression smog 360. I figures the cam will help to open the small valves and a 4 barrel holley to flow more air. Will this work for towing. It will not see more than 4000 rpm. Its just a big beater van. Any advice?

I've never tried it, but it sounds good. There might even be a chance that it could work well with less gear because of the extra torque from the 360 and smaller heads. But your "budget" doesn't make that feasible. However, if you think less gear would help, you could go to taller tires when they are needed and change to an appropriate speedometer gear in the trans.

yes it makes a nice torque monster for a work truck

I like to use the #302 heads that are closed chamber to up the CR even more than the 318 open heads

the small valves/runners do keep volosity up which helps bottom end for pulling

the holley street dominator intake is a real good intake for the street with the small ports/valves

not a high HP race engine but a very good work truck engine

I have done a few this way for work truck,done a few 318 with the 360 heads also

the 360 crank cut down to go in a 318 block along with the low CR pistons will pop them about +5 out the hole,thick gaskets and open 360 heads makes a nice 349 stroke...just not a high reving race combo,but will work in a work truck or 4x4 where torque is needed

in that big azz van..I would have done it a long time ago

I dont think you will be dissapointed.

When we bought our GTS it had a stock 73 340 shortblock with 318 heads and 340 intake/exhaust manifolds. When I found a pair of 2.02 340 heads I really couldn't tell the difference (seat of the pants, no time slips). The only change was a better idle from, I assume, the ports matching better.