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Re: What to do with an LA 318?
[Re: RapidRobert]
#1024891
10/01/11 01:50 PM
10/01/11 01:50 PM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,772
Holland MI Ottawa
2boltmain
master
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master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,772
Holland MI Ottawa
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I thought the single plane 2bbl intake was a 273 only item. Maybe 318s came with them or its a transplant. Not worth a whole lot- kind of like a 305 chevy motor- Lots and lots abound.
Keep old mopars alive.
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Re: What to do with an LA 318?
[Re: 2boltmain]
#1024892
10/01/11 01:58 PM
10/01/11 01:58 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,458
oklahoma
forphorty
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,458
oklahoma
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Quote:
I thought the single plane 2bbl intake was a 273 only item. Maybe 318s came with them or its a transplant. Not worth a whole lot- kind of like a 305 chevy motor- Lots and lots abound.
The 318 in my 72 Duster had the single plane on it.
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Re: What to do with an LA 318?
[Re: dogdays]
#1024898
10/06/11 07:55 AM
10/06/11 07:55 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,123
Grand Haven, MI
patrick
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,123
Grand Haven, MI
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Quote:
NOTE TO READERS: I can be a real cheapass, so no moans from the purists.
Here's the absolutely least cost way to go. Assuming it really is a 30K engine, get the engine indoors and take it apart. I'm betting you will find some surface rust on one or two cylinders. This'll probably clean up quickly. Even if you had so much rust that you had to bore one or two cylinders and put oversize pistons in that one or two (which has been done before and WILL work okay), the other 6 or 7 don't even need to be pulled, except to ready the block for machining. But I have started many engines that have sat for years under hoods without more than checking the oil and getting the fuel system up to snuff and haven't had a problem with them sealing. So put new rings in a 30K engine? No way unless it's blowing smoke. Bearings? Don't mess with success. Run'em and forget about'em.
I'd spend some time looking at the timing chain. If it is a silent link chain with a gear with nylon teeth change it. Don't want any gremlins lurking! While you're at it swap cams for a small low-cost cam with less than 210 degrees duration at 0.050 lift and 110 lobe separation. Even a stock 360 cam will be better than the puny cam in there now. But you don't want to have to change valve springs so keep lifts at 0.440 or less. BTW, I do NOT like the Summit cams, They work okay but with a 114 LSA they lack midrange and close the intake valve too late. The Comp HE 252 would be a good choice if you could find it. There are a couple of Speed Pro cams that would also fit well.
Use the heads you have but put new valve stem seals on while you have the chance and check the seats and guides to be sure you don't have abnormal wear.
For induction I'd use a late 360 TQ intake or a Performer if you can find one cheap. Any smallblock 4-barrel intake will work. If you're into carbs then a Carter AVS would be pretty nice, the air valve secondary keeps it from being too big. I'm running a Holley 1850 600cfm carb and it works well on my 318. If you have access to Thermoquads or Quadrajets and can work on them yorself they'd also be good.
I'd concentrate on finding a '67 or '68 Valiant or Dart or even one older than that. They're pretty light.
Transmissions I'd use would be the A-998 or A-999 or the 500 overdrive. No sense going to a 727 at this power level. Combine the 904 types with a 2.76 gear for high speed running.
I'd spend money on headers because they beef up the torque curve under the peak.
If I was closer I'd drive over and haul it away. A 30K engine has some value left in it, even if it is a lowly 318. Just don't replace ANY MORE than you have to.
R.
this is what I'd probably do...if the bores look a little ooky, but not bad, maybe hone and toss some new cast rings in it....if you take it to a machine shop to get it honed, before you tear it apart, measure how far down in the hole the pistons are, and have the block decked to get compression up, try aim for the pistons ~.012-.015 in the hole, so you can use the Mr. Gaasket .028" thick gaskets to get ~.040 quench with closed chambered heads.
heads, use what you got, I'd probably go for a lunati voodoo 60400 or 60401 cam with comp #901 springs. if you want a real hard charger, swap the heads for some junkyard magnums redrilled to LA bolt pattern, and some hughes #1110 springs and chrysler 2.2L/2.5L retainers, or some junkyard '94-up GM 3.1/3.4L valve springs and retainers.
intake, any 4bbl, carb, probbaly an eddy 1406, t-quad or q-jet
1976 Spinnaker White Plymouth Duster, /6 A833OD
1986 Silver/Twilight Blue Chrysler 5th Ave HotRod **SOLD!***
2011 Toxic Orange Dodge Charger R/T
2017 Grand Cherokee Overland
2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude (holy crap, my daughter is driving)
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Re: What to do with an LA 318?
[Re: tripleblackcuda]
#1024899
10/06/11 03:31 PM
10/06/11 03:31 PM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 893
Tustin, CA
pishta
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 893
Tustin, CA
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Quote:
Don't junk the carb or the adapter, sell them to me!
Ditto, im 2nd in line! pour some gas in it and starts it. D@mn the cylinder rust, itll come out! running 318's with 2bbl intakes are 100 bucks on craigs....You could probably part it for more. manifolds, crank, carb, covers, AL water pump, etc.
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Re: What to do with an LA 318?
[Re: RapidRobert]
#1024900
10/07/11 12:36 AM
10/07/11 12:36 AM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,445
N.Wilkesboro,NC
DusterKrazy
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,445
N.Wilkesboro,NC
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They make killer budget street rod engines!! Sadly the build cost is identical to a 360 (actually cheaper when you figure in piston choices!). You get a little more with a 360 of course but don't dismiss a 318. They can be a fun engine with the right bolt on's. I'd never scrap one unless it was just junk. I have a soft spot for them. 318's have been reliable as a stone for me  600 carb,decent dual plane intake, headers and 340 spec cam will spin a tire with ease. Super fun a body setup!
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Re: What to do with an LA 318?
[Re: MuuMuu101]
#1024901
10/07/11 04:30 AM
10/07/11 04:30 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,862
the frozen wastes...
Pale_Roader
Swears too much
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Swears too much
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,862
the frozen wastes...
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Quote:
So when I bought my Darts 2 years ago I got this 318 as a part of the deal. I never really thought anything of it but now I am just curious what I could put it in. But first, just for background information, this thing has been sitting outside, uncovered since I got it. It is supposedly an all stock 70 or 71 318 out of a Barracuda and only had about 30k miles on it and was running when pulled. Approximately how much would it cost to rebuild this on a budget (not necessarily looking for super high power)? What could/should I do with this? I was thinking of finding some lightweight car and putting it in there with an auto for a little cruiser or something. Ideas/Thoughts? Picture was taken in November and I don't have access to it because it is at my mechanics. Thank you! 
That thing actually looks very clean for an original engine. It looks like a 30K engine. Outside for 2 years in a state that doesn't have rain... i bet it'd fire right up and run fine forever. If you have a car drop it in and go through it as you see fit. Down the road you can do the Magnum top-end swap with heads and an RPM, add a cam, headers, whatever.
I've thrown away a few good engines that weren't 'cool'... and now i wish i had one. The Challenger needs SOMETHING to move it for now, and i wouldn't scoff at a 318. It wont make the power a nice 383-4 would, but it'd still move my light stick car and get decent mileage.
If you're not going to use it right now, keep it around, but drag it inside and cover it. You never know when it may come in handy. Hard to find decent, early low-mile engines.
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