Today i had someone try and tell me that the only thing that is different on my 5.9L 360ci motor from a 5.2L 318ci is the Heads thats it, the rest is Identical...im having a hard time beliving that...so my question is are they?...it would be news to me if they were.

 

yes and no.

Many parts will interchange, but the 360 is also bored wider (obviously), has a slightly different rotating assembly, different cam, and the heads are slightly larger. 360 is externally balanced while the 318 is internally balanced (might have that backwards).

 

^correct

 

42 cubic inches difference.
Bore and stroke are bigger on the 360.
318- 3.91 bore-3.31 stroke.
360-4.00 bore-3.58 stroke.
On the magnums there is no difference in the heads, earlier models (the LA series) the heads are different.
The person who told you that don't know **** about Mopars.

 

You are right. Magnum 360's have dished pistons also while the 318 has flat tops.

The 318 is internally balanced and 360 is externally balanced.

 

topend is all the same, bottom end is different

 

EXACTALLY what i thought...he claims to have been a mechanic and its my buddies dad, who as well HATES everything about the Chrystler corp...I knew there was differences as you all just confirmed, but i wanted to be able to show him yet again he is a dumba**, and doesent seem to know a whole lot about working on stuff. He told me once he was a mechanic, a diesel tech., raced and built his car(he actually did race for a lil while but who knows who worked on his car),a truck driver(he actually was for a lil while as well), and his current job is in the construction field. He is the kinda guy that knows it all and gets pissed at you so you never want to help him again, but when he cant figure things out out f***s something up he asks you how to do it...LOL...so my buddy really doesent like to work on things with him if anybodys around anymore...

 

Just a little venting...on a good note we did get my buddys couple hundred dollar bronco running!(working on the bronco when my buddies dad said a 318ci and a 360ci were the same except for the heads)

 

on the subject of diff in motors 539 and 5.2; does anynone know if the same engine computer will work for both engines? i bougth a 96 4x4 which has a 5.9, however originally had a 5.2, but computer is still reads 5.2 on the scanner; do i have to change to a 5.9 computer? i just had the tranny rebuilt and dont want to affect new tranny. thanks

 

Physically the PCM's are the same. Software wise, they are different. So long as the PCM was flashed to support a 5.9, you're fine.

It wouldn't affect the new tranny in any case. The 46re was used behind both engines, so all of the software controlling it is the same regardless of engine size.