Understood, post how it turns out.

run the low compression, supercharge it and call it a day. procharger at 7-8 pcs boost will get you about 500 hp.

^^^ Ding ding ding I (do) believe we have a winna! That would kick some tail. I'd want one all under the hood, no cutting.

Another alternative would be to just clean, re-gasket, paint & detail the engine as a display. Sure, it's not a Hemi, but it's sentimental, and would still be pretty cool as a display.
I'm assuming it's just your Dad's engine you have, not the whole car. If I were to find my Dad's old Sport Fury, I'd want it how I remember it (stock), except maybe a more modern brake system.

What year is the block? there are two compression heights that were used, the early 9.600" and the later 9.577"
Take out the 6.123 rod and the 3.31/2 stroke and you have either 1.822 or 1.799 left for compression height.


It used to be the trick to use 318Poly pistons to raise the compression as most of them run about 1.8.

I was concerned when I opened up my '86 318 and found the pistons 0.055" in the hole. I used the Mr. Gasket 1121G thin gasket which is 0.028" thick. My squish area still worked, testified to by the excellent mileage I got and the complete absence of pinging with 34* total mechanical advance and the lowest grade of gas. The closest that 5.2Mag pistons got to the deck was 0.044 and then you add the head gasket which was probably right at 0.040" compressed height leaving the piston 0.084" down from the squish pads. Yet they worked too.

R.

I often wonder if on the brand x boards if the same thing happens when a 305 is mentioned. Just build a 350!!!! Or I’m building a 302. Just build a 351!!!

I have run a 12.5 to 1 340 in the past with dome pistons. I just don't care to run race gas in a street motor. No slight intended as I am sure you have a monster little 318 there.

Actually, the 305 is a generally reviled POS even by the Chevy guys and yeah, they'll tell you to build something else.

As for the 302, that one depends. In a lot of applications wedging in a 351 is nigh on impossible, so the 302 get the nod because it has a shorter deck and fits better, but they'll stroke it to 347 or bigger in a heart beat. But if there's room, a 351 get's the nod.

It costs virtually the same to build either the 318 or the 360 and it's foolish to go with the 318 unless you have an otherwise compelling reason.

408,408,408. Man do I get tired of hearing this. Do you know how many 408 my kid runs faster than every week with a stock crank 360. LMAO. Oh and its 3200 pound too.


Untitled by John Cadamore, on Flickr

Untitled by John Cadamore, on Flickr