hello I am new here and I was thinking about doing a 318 to 360 swap. I understand they are pretty similar but my problem is, is that the 360 is a 1974 and my truck is a 1997, how much difference does the year make and what major steps would I have to take to do this swap? If someone could give me any insight that would be much appreciated

 

What truck? That info would be helpful.

 

For starters you will be swapping a carbureted engine into a fuel injected truck... That in itself is a headache if you plan to use the stock gauges and all and converting everything...
But if youre just gonna run a carbureted engine in there stock and eliminate all the bells and whistles one wire will make it run.

Youd be better getting a 360 for that year and swap it in and just basically change the PCM ( you can usually pull the one for that motor from the same truck if its there, otherwise you can buy one online between $100-$600

Really no "easy" way to swap that 74 into it and use the stock connections

 

That's about what I was figuring. Will the 318 heads and intake bolt on the 360?

 

I am not sure but possible such as the 305/350 chevy motors do... Hopefully someone here would know more on that as Ive never worked with the 318. But if they do and the mounts line up that could be an option.

NOW IF you do that, make sure to rebuild that plenum before installing it, That is one major cause of failure in these motors when that gasket goes. vacumme leaks, oil consumption, power loss, pinging... just to name a few

 

The plenum has been rebuilt already but I'll do another if I do the swap.

 

Your 74 360 is a LA motor and the truck has a magnum. No mount for the crank sensor on LA motors so you really can't do it easily. That is if you where planning on keeping it fi. Do what Sonocativo suggested it's the best way.

From what motor LA or magnum? The magnums have different intake bolt configurations than the LA style. Look at the link it will explain the differences.

http://www.magnumswap.com/using-la-parts-on-a-magnum/

 

Thank you guys for the advise I think I'll look for a second gen 360 to swap with

 

Where are you located?