He gents

Time for round two. I just typed up this drawn out post about this and I don't see it so hopefully this isn't a repeat, but it is considerably shorter. Lol

Basically I have a tired 318 in a 98 1500. I could due a full tune up (plenum already done) but with 3.55 gears it's still going to be a turd. I've been wanting to rebuild a motor for the first time as a a learning experience so I've been trying to find a decent 360 to put a cam and Tuner in then drop it in. I don't want a race truck just good drivability. But, I've been having a hard time finding any decent donor motors.
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My dad has an LA 360 supposedly in good shape that I could have for free. Is this a terrible place to start? From what I can tell I can use magnum gear from the heads up to make it plug and play with everything existing on the truck. Thoughts? I know there would be a few more minor things but nothing major?

Or does it make more financial sense to try and make a decent runner out of the 318 already in it? Just ball park I was looking around 300-350 ft lbs at the wheels. The cam I'm looking at (for the 360) supposedly dynos at 360ft lbs at the wheels with factory valve train and a Tuner.
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The LA block routes oil differently and doesn't have the provisions for the factory hydraulic roller cam. Might want to try to find a rebuild-able magnum 360. Where, in general, are you located?

 

I'm in central Washington state. I have found one standalone 360 and they wanted $750 for it. I have found a couple part out rigs that I could pull a good motor out of for less, but I really don't have the space for another vehicle unless it was a deal I couldn't pass up.

I was doing some more reading and I found an article that said the 318s were less likely to have cracked heads than the 360. I just assumed mine were cracked which is why I wasn't going to bother trying to rebuild mine. Worth looking into? I've got 190k on it but it's a junkyard motor with unknown mileage but supposed good compression, haven't checked myself yet.

 

318 used the same heads the 360 did...... They were ALL prone to cracking.....

Given how many 360's found their way into various vehicles, you would think they would be easier to find....... Maybe try expanding your search a bit, shipping a motor from a couple states away via fastenal is surprisingly inexpensive.

 

Yea I always read on here they were both prone and yes they were the same head - but whatever article I read mentioned something about the 360 different that caused them to be even more prone. Anyways...

About the 360 LA, to get past the oil issue I would just need a different set of lifters right? And if I'm swapping the cam anyways, what is the downside there?

 

Lifters are at a different angle in the LA block. Also, rocker oil comes up via a different route between LA, and Magnum engines. I *think* there is an article about this somewhere out on the web...... Also, the LA block may not have the provisions for the crank sensor to bolt on.

 

Meh. I think I'll stick with something a little more strait forward I'll have enough to learn on this project. Stay tuned lol...

 

If I wanted a base factory head, is this a good place to start?
http://www.alliedmotorparts.com/93-03-dodge-chrysler-318-5-2l-466-671-magnum-cylinder-head.html?_vsrefdom=adwords&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIka2I 89mK3QIVxLjACh1wzArqEAQYBCABEgIWDvD_BwE

I see they are reman but not about to drop 2k on a set of eddy heads. Figure if anything I find 318 or 360 has cracked heads, might as well plan on replacing them

 

Look on craigs list or ebay, Shouldn't be hard to find a motor. Since you are going to rebuild it and have all the hardware(old 318) just look for a short block. Replace the heads with EQ's or something similar. The oem intake is designed for low end power so putting in a hotter cam you may want to upgrade to the M1 (if you can find one).

 

I'm going to cam it for low end torque as best I can so planned to keep the kegger. Bad plan?