Dammit, i dont want to use a 360, i really dont like those engines and i want to keep my 318 but i want more power. the only solution i can think of " since i already have the damn engine " was the 383. but i dont wanna spend 5 grand building the engine and another 5 grand to put it in.

 

Are you wanting to try and retain the EFI?

Dave

 

Not really, once i put it in the truck it wont be a daily driver. my main question was will the engine run fine and also will the computer still run all of the other electronic's in the truck with out the electronic's working on the engine, and im sure it will have none stop CEL. or would i even need a computer if i lose injection?

 

The computer controls ignition too.
I think that with carb, stand alone ignition such as MSD, a adapter plate from the link i posted above, plus the parts from this page
http://www.transmissioncenter.net/SwapInformation.htm to control the transmission properly. Some creative wiring and you should be able to do this and loose the computer. You also will need to be able mount that big block in there, motor plate might be the easyiest way to mount it.
May want to beef up tranny too.

Dave

 

IF i did decide to just go buy a 318 from a junkyard and build it up, are there ne suggestions on what to do, i dont want to bore or ne thing, i just want to build it up, but retain the original bore. also would putting in a new crank add any more power over the OEM ?

 

You will have to make your own motor mounts to put a big block in your truck, no sweat if you got a welder. BTW, your motor is either a 400 or a 440, they stopped with 383's in 1971, the 400 was the replacement (and it's probably a 1978 as that was the last year for big blocks in cars). They never put a 46RH (or A518, whatever you want to call them, same thing) behind a BB, 1987 or 1988 was the first year I think. Since the tranny is a 46 RH it's a hydraulic control tranny like a 727, it has no electronic control from the computer so that's not an issue. If you want the 46 RH get the adapter, otherwise you need a 727, which would also be some fabbing as they didn't come with them. About the only computer thing to worry about would be the charging system, I'm not big on electronics so I don't know if it would throw the charging system out of wack if the computer didn't get any inputs from the engine. You would get check engine lights like crazy but that doesn't seem like a big deal to you.

You stated that you want to keep the 318 with standard bores and I take it the factory pistons, which won't work with a stroker crank that you mentioned. If you're going to do that, bore it and do it properly (Stroker kits are about $1500 which includes pistons, rods, crank, bearings, and rings)

If I were you, I would go with the big block, more potential and torque. BUT be warned that the late 70's 400's and 440's weren't exactly barnstormers, they had very low compression, probably around 7.8:1. If you go with the BB and don't want to rebuild it, take the heads off and mill them to get some compression. With milled heads, a decent cam, headers, and an intake, 350 HP would be no sweat for a 400, probably 375 -400 for a 440

 

Nice thanks man

 

The 46rh has computer controled TC lockup and OD lock up. If you follow the instructions on the links that I posted it will show you how to control the transmission behind any engine that use to have a 3 speed automatic behind it.

 

a 2wd tranny wont work on a 4x4 would it ?

 

No it will not.