Dont see many 318's upgrades. so got myself a 318 long block and doing some mods. have heads off, and doing some measuring. Not sure how to determine P/V clearance, any suggestions? This i hope will allow me to get block machined and 360 heads and to choice a cam. the one in mind is the XE268, bore is .040 over, 1.5 to 1 valve train (stk) should get me where i want, so any suggestion on the piston/height clearance?

 

Stock rocker lift is 1.6 to 1. Can't help with your clearance question though.

 

1. 318 upgrades are the same as 360 upgrades. They are both the same block.
2. You really won't have to worry about P/V clearance if you stick with 1.6 roller rockers. You will need a heavy duty spring set to run an aftermarket camshaft.

Here is a good camshaft read:
http://www.bionicdodge.com/bionic/in...p?topic=9197.0

Basically get a camshaft with 200/206 duration and .480 lift (You might be able to get away with 1.7RRs on that cam). I would NOT go above .510 lift even on 1.6 roller rockers on a 318.

aimforsquirrels was a guy who had PVC issues on his 318. I beleive he had to scrap his 1.7rrs to make his camshaft work. He has some thread about PVC here and a special tool that can cut valve reliefs at the proper angle (It is a drill bit that goes in place of the valve. You put it in the head, then put the heads on to spec and drill reliefs).

Hope it helps. I would get an RV camshaft and a SCT from Sean with a custom tune.

 

Slap a little clay onto the top of the pistons, install the heads/valve train, roll the engine over a couple times, (and hope the valves don't hit.... that's why ya do it by hand....) pull the heads, measure the clay.

 

Hey! That's like cheating and peeking in the combustion chamber! Cool idea!