I have a late casting 360 block with the casting # 53006321 360 cast on 07-01-1992, it has threaded bosses, holes, in the lifter valley that look like there to hold a lifter retainer bracket. I've never had a stock LA motor 318 or 360 with hydraulic roller lifters so I'm assuming that is what this block was cast for, yes or no
Can I use this block with all the early parts like the heads, rocker arms, intake oil pan, cam and so on
I'm going to sonic test this after noon and if it is good and I can use it with the early parts I'll build a stroker motor for a local customer who wants a hot street and strip small block for his 1972 Scamp with Indy 360-1 heads and so on
All comments and help appreciated

IIRC, from 88 on up were roller lifters, and you're right, those bosses are for a retainer that holds the dog bones in place.
As long as it has conventional (shaft) rocker oiling, then all the older stuff should work no problem.

89 to 91 360 truck blocks are LA blocks that had hydraulic roller cams....those blocks still use the LA head with shaft and oil thru the shafts...

you can use hydraulic roller cams with the oem dog bones and spider or you can use either hydraulic or solid flat tappets with the correct length of pushrod....

You're block would have been cast for a '93 vehicle and that is the year they started the Magnum heads which oil through the rockers. But, that doesn't mean that they had stopped putting the head oiling passage in the block, I've heard stories of later blocks still having them. So if the block has the passages you can use LA heads as-is. Otherwise pushrod oil, or figure out how to get the oil up to LA heads. There are a couple different ways.

Read your post again..! Early cam will fit in the roller engine but not the other way around. Dimensions stayed the same just provisions for dog bones and taller lifter. If it doesn’t have the oil hole I’d plumb it from the main oil galley so as not to starve 5-6 main.

This block does have the oil passages to the rocker stands on both sides
It sonic tested well
Thanks to all of you for your help on this
Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New year to all

Hi, would you share your findings regarding wall thickness / possible overbore? I do have a similar block.....not that it´s the same, just interested in real numbers. Thanks!

Michael

This is the block Dizuster runs in his turbo car. Many years under boost as high as 22psi. Still using the hydraulic roller. Never so iced, never broke. Makes close 850hp
Doug

One thing I ran into with my '77 360 block was some core shift.
I will look for the sheet after work , but my machinist moved the bores around slightly to add to the thrust side on a couple holes and the minimum thickness checked .176" as I recall.
It's a H.F.T. deal and this step was maybe overkill , but adding .015 - .020 to it didn't hurt any.

I can't get my new copier to scan and attach my sonic test form, sorry
The thinnest part was on the #7 cylinder half way down on the cam side of the block around 2 O clock with 12 O clock being straight up.
I'm hoping this block will clean up with either a .030 or .040 over bore, the customer is still thinking about which crank stroke to use, he likes the 4.0 with Mopar rod sizes, I like the 4.125 or 4.250 stroke cranks, if we can get one, with 2.00 rod journal sizes and using a 6.200 or 6.250 long Chevy I beam type connecting rod

The nice thing about this block (prividing all else checks out, and it sounds like it did) is the fact that it has the taller roller lifter bores. I'm sure you know or have heard of the problems with the non-roller castings where the oiling pressure to the lifter can be bled down due to a lower lifter bore in those casting which cause subsequent hydraulic roller lifter exposing the oil feed.

I've been trying to find me one of these for a while now...good score!

Cab, as long as the block is drilled for shaft oiling on the rockers you are good to go. It probably is as I think 93 was the first year for the magnum 5.9, but we all know when ma mopar is involved never say never. Good news is you can build that block with a roller cam setup on the cheap.

Well Cab I just picked up one too, 92 3500 van with the overdrive trans. Traded my cycle lift for it, runs and drives. I’m thinking of using the LD340 intake and AVS with the RT cam then drop it in my Red Express.