Engine rebuild choices

C130 Chief said

A couple thoughts...

If your 318 is running now, and you just want to freshen it up I would get a Speed-Pro overhaul kit. This will get you a complete gasket set, rings, main and rod bearings and maybe a timing set.
Cam wise, I'd keep it fairly mellow. You most likely have a 2.94 geared 7 1/4" rear now. Keeping with the low buck theme, let's assume you run a factory replacement "high stall" converter from Transtar downtown. Same converter as a 340 car, later 4 BBl small blocks, cop cars etc... 2000-2200 RPM stall. So why not just run a factory 340 replacement cam and valve springs? The price is right. Or, a Comp XE 260.

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Im not sure if the 318 will run right off, but it does look clean in the cylinders, the plugs are good too. The cooling system is sealed off, save for a missing freezeplug on the block. I already planned on getting a refresh kit if it wouldn't run straight off, but it would probably be better to get one either way.

The motor turns over freely, so it shouldn't (don't you love that word?) be too terribly difficult to start up. What years do you mean by later 4BBl small blocks? and would you trust a junkyard converter? Theres a jalopy jungle with plenty of dodge trucks with 318's for relatively good prices.

What brand would you recommend for a cam and lifters? I only ask because my father, after rebuilding our trucks motor, experienced a comp lifter failure, replaced them with another set of comp lifters, and one is failing again. After a high stress period (usually the freeway) the lifter wont pump back up and becomes very loud and annoying.