As I just stated I found an interesting fun fact about the engine in my 1987 w150 318. From the numbers on the block I found out it was made in 1977 and I think it was from a dodge diplomat. Is this good bad or doesn't really matter? I am have heard that truck engines have thicker engine walls and are made to be sturdier but I would think everything wasmade sturdy in the 70's. Any information would be greatly appreciated guys.

 

funny enough today i just learned ether my engine or just the intake may be out of a 78 or older vehicle. i was going to look for the numbers tomorrow. i think the only real difference would be the heads. i think the newer heads breath a bit better than the older ones

 

Haha that's funny I thought my engine just had an older intake like yours when I saw the old carter carb but nope entire block. So I don't have to fear a block cracking sooner than normal or anything. While we are on my engine wht are the odds my engine is leaking oil out of the valve covers? The block always looks kind of wet like oil is on it and there is a build up of old oil around the block.

 

i would almost bet your valve covers were leaking oil. i know mine were when i first got mine. i replaced the gasket and they didn't 100% stop leaking but no longer leak enough that you can smell it burning on the exhaust manifold.

 

Thanks that will be the next thing I do then.

 

I recently went down the "what engine is in my truck" rabbit hole....

I would think truck engines are the same....this thread should interest you plenty, but I would say that an LA 318 is an LA 318 is an LA 318, and according to SEAL (user on forum, and guru), the LA V8 replaced the A in 1967 - the "L" stands for "Light", as the blocks were roughly 50 lbs lighter than the A blocks, so that is probably the root of your "thicker engine wall" comment. The allpar.com site referenced in the thread below is a great source of info. Personally, heavier=slower, so you'd rather have the LA V8 anyday, IMHO!!!

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...ish-318-a.html

 

Everything you ever wanted know about the 318 from the allpar site....

http://www.allpar.com/mopar/318.html

 

the only thing that sucks is that the year one links that SEAL posted are no longer any good. i was looking for them the other day but it looks like they moved or removed it. i was hoping to figure out what engine is in my truck. i see 10-10-77 on the intake that makes me think the intake might be off a different engine. i keep forgetting to right down the numbers off the side of the block.

 

I e-mailed year one about this deletion of info at their site. Here is their response:

"We currently do not have a way to view this information on the new
website. We do plan on getting it back up as soon as possible,
unfortunately I don't know when that might be. Please keep checking back
and I will make a note to let you know as soon we get it back up.

Thanks
Josh Bailey
YEARONE Senior Web Developer"

 

Click here for photos of the IDs on my 318 engine's block (1985).... the vehicle is an '88 Dodge Ram w/ a 1985 318 engine.....