360 freshen up -- feedback needed

Posted By: 340duster340

360 freshen up -- feedback needed - 11/28/11 12:21 AM

my plan is to freshen up a 360 i have from motor home and put it into a 66 dart. trying not to spend a lot and obviously won't be a hi-po motor but i would like it to be fun to drive.

here is what i have so far:
- 74 360 w/ 74K miles
- 340 HP manifolds
- 360 heads from '90 LA360 roller motor (to be rebuilt and swapped out for whats currently on it)
- transmission will be rebuild a904 with stock converter (i got this from a parts car).

here is what need advise on:
- what cam (and should i replace valve springs?)
- what intake (single or dual plane) *i have a 340 oem cast iron intake for spread bore)
- should i look for a better set of heads?

my plan is to do this on the cheap with exception of the 340 HP manifolds which cost a bundle but no other options for the early a's

thanks in advance.

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: 360 freshen up -- feedback needed - 11/28/11 12:34 AM

What are your plans for the car... what kind of HP
do you want to make(what rear end is under the car)

Posted By: 340duster340

Re: 360 freshen up -- feedback needed - 11/28/11 12:40 AM

it will be a daily driver/weekend car. to make long story short, a friend left it to me after we passed away.

for now the rear will be 8.25 so i can get the large bolt pattern, unsure of gears, but can change them as needed or ideally get an 8.75 rear.

sticking with stock wheel wells, but will be running 15 inch rims.

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: 360 freshen up -- feedback needed - 11/28/11 12:41 AM

Quote:

my plan is to do this on the cheap

Manual steering I'm assuming (340 HP's might not fit PS). Use the spreadbore & rebuild your thermoquad. Are these heads the closed chambered ones (I forget the #). They'll bump your CR a bit. Need to slightly mod the trans crossmember on pass side so duals wont hang down low on that side which looks bad. orig 64-66 A V8 throttle cable assy (3 holes) or a common 70's one & redrill 2 holes EDIT 15" rims up front will likely give you fitment probs unless you use real low profile tires

Posted By: 71yelladustr

Re: 360 freshen up -- feedback needed - 11/28/11 12:46 AM

You cant use too big of a cam with the converter an compression. I used a MP purpleshaft 268/272 .455 lift cam in mine with an LD340 intake. It ran really strong and very docile. Had J heads w/ 1.88 intake valves mildly ported. Shortblock was stock. The factory 340 intake is fine but a LD340 or performer RPM airgap would be better. Dont waste your money on a Performer as it is no better than a stock 340 manifold. Nothing wrong with 308 heads. Port match them and clean up the bowls. cheap and easy HP. 750 holley carb or TQ will work nicely on this engine.

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: 360 freshen up -- feedback needed - 11/28/11 12:46 AM

Quote:

it will be a daily driver/weekend car. to make long story short, a friend left it to me after we passed away.

for now the rear will be 8.25 so i can get the large bolt pattern, unsure of gears, but can change them as needed or ideally get an 8.75 rear.

sticking with stock wheel wells, but will be running 15 inch rims.

I assume you want a hyd cam... the comp X series
are pretty fair... yes change the springs to what
matches the cam... if it was me I would do a valve
job... I would also do at least a bowl blend port job
but I do all that stuff myself (I have the equipment)

Posted By: 340duster340

Re: 360 freshen up -- feedback needed - 11/28/11 01:05 AM

yes would like to be hyd cam, as i plan to sell the adjustable rockers from the 273 to put towards the build.

i have both power and manual steering so if a problem i can go manual box for steering.

for exhaust, i know duals will require some modification. going to do that last, for now i want to get it running/driving/stoping. will be my winter project.

Posted By: 340duster340

Re: 360 freshen up -- feedback needed - 11/28/11 01:07 AM

Quote:

.. I would also do at least a bowl blend port job
but I do all that stuff myself (I have the equipment)

what equipment is required? i have plenty of cores to practice on. have compressor and air tools, but not sure what grind heads and roll pads i would need to port. i think mopar makes templates or are those just for B/RB?

Posted By: MR_P_BODY

Re: 360 freshen up -- feedback needed - 11/28/11 01:23 AM

Quote:

Quote:

.. I would also do at least a bowl blend port job
but I do all that stuff myself (I have the equipment)

what equipment is required? i have plenty of cores to practice on. have compressor and air tools, but not sure what grind heads and roll pads i would need to port. i think mopar makes templates or are those just for B/RB?

I have valve grinding equip ... but for the port work
you need a die grinder(electric or air) and a cutting
burr... maybe finish it with tootsie rolls... all you
really need to do is blend in the seat to the bowl
and clean it up... blend in the intake port(gasket
match) and clean an bad trees limbs out of the runners
if you want to get that far into it... bowl blending
can take a couple of days if your a rookie

Posted By: Alikazam

Re: 360 freshen up -- feedback needed - 11/28/11 11:23 AM

I would thinking something in the comp XE268 range would be ideal. Lower lift and 220-230 duration dual pattern. Good luck!

Posted By: patrick

Re: 360 freshen up -- feedback needed - 11/28/11 04:51 PM

lunati voodoo 60402, use your 340 intake manifold, comp #901 or hughes 1110 valve springs