Moparts

School me on a Mopar 361 engine

Posted By: aquamist60

School me on a Mopar 361 engine - 09/07/11 04:20 PM

I am fixing to buy a parts car that comes with a 361 engine. That's really all I can tell you about the engine. The 361 has me somewhat intriguedfrom some of the things I've read. Available in Plymouth, Dodge or Desoto, different intakes, different hp ratings.
Posted By: Scottmon

Re: School me on a Mopar 361 engine - 09/07/11 04:44 PM

Cost just as much to build the 361 as the 440, and have a lot less power. I'd only keep it if it runs good and you don't plan to do much to it.
Posted By: David Lee

Re: School me on a Mopar 361 engine - 09/07/11 07:27 PM

if you plan on making a period correct car, keep the 361, it basically an early B engine. May I ask what car this came out of?
Posted By: aquamist60

Re: School me on a Mopar 361 engine - 09/08/11 01:18 AM

Quote:

if you plan on making a period correct car, keep the 361, it basically an early B engine. May I ask what car this came out of?



It is a 1960 Plymouth Savoy. The engine in the parts car is a 361 Golden Commando with an automatic trans. My car will be a driver when done. I'm not definate on what engine I want to use just yet. It came with a /6 with a 3spd stick shift.
Posted By: JohnRR

Re: School me on a Mopar 361 engine - 09/08/11 01:25 AM

Quote:

Quote:

if you plan on making a period correct car, keep the 361, it basically an early B engine. May I ask what car this came out of?



It is a 1960 Plymouth Savoy. The engine in the parts car is a 361 Golden Commando with an automatic trans. My car will be a driver when done. I'm not definate on what engine I want to use just yet. It came with a /6 with a 3spd stick shift.



The 361 can get pricey to build if you need pistons , I don't think there is anything off the shelf for it. if you want a period correct motor then use it , otherwise I would build something that would give you the same look but has better parts availability ... your choice though.
Posted By: mopower440

Re: School me on a Mopar 361 engine - 09/08/11 01:49 AM

my buddy bought a 1966 dodge coronet with 361/4-speed, it was stock and would flat out fly!! The 361 is just a smaller ci 383, fun car that was!
Posted By: zrxkawboy

Re: School me on a Mopar 361 engine - 09/08/11 03:25 AM

How about building a 383, dressed up to look like a 361? Could be fun. I understand you already have the 361, though.
Posted By: therocks

Re: School me on a Mopar 361 engine - 09/08/11 12:40 PM

I had 3 of them.The one that was in my 65 I tried to blow up many times.Id float the valves till it missed.Then it would just come back to life.It ran very good.Only reason I pulled it was because I put the 440 in.Rocky
Posted By: Pentastar440

Re: School me on a Mopar 361 engine - 09/08/11 04:33 PM

That 361 parts car gives you a setup with everything you need to run any big block.
Posted By: DANA60

Re: School me on a Mopar 361 engine - 09/08/11 08:23 PM

I'm sorry, as far as performance, the 361 is a piece of junk. If you want it for the correctness in the Savoy, then cool, keep it in there, but if you want performance , and with the same "look", then build a 383 for it, paint it like the "Commando" and away you go with a whole lot more HP. Nobody is going to know except when you put your foot in it.

Attached picture 6816877-IMG_2836_1_1_1.JPG
Posted By: DaytonaTurbo

Re: School me on a Mopar 361 engine - 09/08/11 08:55 PM

Nevermind even the 383, a 400 with a 440 crank = 451 and would externally look like the 361. That's 90 cubes of difference!
Posted By: QuickDodge

Re: School me on a Mopar 361 engine - 09/08/11 10:54 PM

361 would be fine for a cruiser. A bigger engine would be better for power. Whether or not it should be used would depend on the intended usage of the car.

I'd tear the 361 down and see what kind of condition it is in. It may be that it doesn't need much more than a gasket set. In my limited experience with the earlier big blocks, it seems like the engines often outlasted the cars. So it wouldn't surprise me if the engine was good when the car was taken off the road.
Posted By: aquamist60

Re: School me on a Mopar 361 engine - 09/09/11 12:43 PM

Quote:

How about building a 383, dressed up to look like a 361? Could be fun. I understand you already have the 361, though.



I do also have a 383 and a 440. I'm actually leaning toward the 440, but since the parts car has a 361 it added another potential. Were the Golden Commando engines painted all gold or were they red with gold parts? I've heard some say one way, some the other.
Posted By: 62maxwgn

Re: School me on a Mopar 361 engine - 09/09/11 02:36 PM

Quote:

Quote:

if you plan on making a period correct car, keep the 361, it basically an early B engine. May I ask what car this came out of?



It is a 1960 Plymouth Savoy. The engine in the parts car is a 361 Golden Commando with an automatic trans. My car will be a driver when done. I'm not definate on what engine I want to use just yet. It came with a /6 with a 3spd stick shift.




I'll buy your air cleaner if it's still there !!

Also,red block with gold covers and air cleaner if it's a 60.
Posted By: aquamist60

Re: School me on a Mopar 361 engine - 09/09/11 11:54 PM




I'll buy your air cleaner if it's still there !!

Also,red block with gold covers and air cleaner if it's a 60.



I haven't picked it up yet, waiting to see if my Dr says I need more surgery for my broken leg and my son to get a couple of days off to make the run with me.
Right now I'm leaning towards the 440 painted like the Golden Commando with the push button trans. I've got virtually everything to build a 1967 440 375 hp engine with a pushbutton trans.
I've got a list me and my dad put together before he died of mods I wanted to make. He was one that always said "keep it original." We talked the last 6 months about what to do and he liked my ideas and came up with some of his own.
Won't be long before we're back after it. Might post on another forum here what our plans are.
Posted By: aquamist60

Re: School me on a Mopar 361 engine - 09/09/11 11:55 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

if you plan on making a period correct car, keep the 361, it basically an early B engine. May I ask what car this came out of?



It is a 1960 Plymouth Savoy. The engine in the parts car is a 361 Golden Commando with an automatic trans. My car will be a driver when done. I'm not definate on what engine I want to use just yet. It came with a /6 with a 3spd stick shift.




I'll buy your air cleaner if it's still there !!

Also,red block with gold covers and air cleaner if it's a 60.

Posted By: jcc

Re: School me on a Mopar 361 engine - 09/10/11 12:20 AM

Quote:

Nevermind even the 383, a 400 with a 440 crank = 451 and would externally look like the 361. That's 90 cubes of difference!


, but for that matter, how many can spot the difference with just a quick glance between a 361 and a 440 with the id pad ground down?
Posted By: StealthWedge67

Re: School me on a Mopar 361 engine - 09/10/11 01:29 AM

B's and RB's are quite different to the eye in my opinion.
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