318 Rebuild suggestions?

I'd second the 340 cam or something similar about 212 to 220 at 050, less than 480 lift unless you have the guides cut down to accommodate lift beyond that and want it.

As far as the cost of a built engine vs doing it yourself, if you can pare down the cost to match or compete with the long block within a couple hundred bucks, then do it yourself...I'm personally not fazed by the concerns of doing the removal or install of a bought engine assembly, because you'd be doing it anyway if something went awry regardless of who put it together. I've used the warehouse type engines before on 3 occasions...one of which was a short block 306 and a slow pullied Novi supercharger. It made 460 rwhp in a 95 cobra and had zero issues for at least 10K daily driven miles before the car was stolen. What kills those engines are the same things that kill any assembly, lack of attention to detail, improper lube, improper break in, overheating, abuse etc.

First time engine builders are just as prone-if not more so-to make simple mistakes as anyone else, like breaking bolts or forgetting to properly torque a rod bolt. Now I will say this, in every case of using a bought engine, I DID thoroughly inspect everything as much as I could without disassembly and checked torque on all visible fasteners and found nothing wrong.

YMMV I suppose.

All that being said, a known running and lower mileage junk yard pull is often a viable choice as well...

If I may ask how many of the 3 engines referred to came from Autozone? Remember, Autozone does not build or make anything. They buy parts, warehouse, ship, and mark up. That means the real build price is maybe $1000-1100 of parts and labor. Does anyone really think that is going be good quality?

If it is a crate engine for this situation, keep shopping, and don't just go for low price.

You may, and it was one. That particular engine was a generic motors 350, but it was still assembled with the same level of care and cleanliness as the other two which were purchased from a local whole engine reman warehouse. They did most of their machining in house with older sunnen machines.

I'm well aware auto zone only markets products, I never implied anything to the contrary. I did ask the manager where they sourced their engines. At the time, he stated a place in Arizona that was contracted to build x number of x type of engines...they also sourced a few from DFW area and he mentioned some others that I can't recall now...

Like I said, YMMV.

OP: do what you want, make your choice, spend your money on a choice you can live with...pay attention to all details regardless of which direction you go, buy a book, read and understand it before assembling anything, and ask questions.

txstang84 said:

OP: do what you want, make your choice, spend your money on a choice you can live with...pay attention to all details regardless of which direction you go, buy a book, read and understand it before assembling anything, and ask questions.

Click to expand...

Best words spoken yet!!

I purchased my engine from Autozone. I believe they are rebuilt by ATK in Mexico. 5000 miles and several trips down the 1/4 mile and no problems.

So a 340 cam would fit a 318? Anyone know of any links to a good one online?

Yeah so far a crate engine is still an option, IF the price is right (compared to the cost of a rebuild). And sorry nm9stheham but a junkyard engine is just a fallback and not a primary option on my list. Me and my friend both clearly agreed on that. It's just too much of a crapshoot, way more than a cheap crate engine. There's no telling if it'll also need a rebuild and what condition it's even in. After all, they yank those from the cars sitting out in the wrecking yard, and there's a reason those cars got hauled to that yard in the first place.....

As it stands, with some new developments that just came up, I'll be deciding whether to go through with this project in December or hold off til later. Since it's not my primary daily driver I can do without it while I'm rebuilding it. If I do it in December, I'll be on winter break and won't be traveling around much so I can do without it when the freeze hits (not like I'd driver the Ranger on ice, that thing tried to fishtail on me the other day just from touching a puddle, smh).

Yes, a 340 spec cam will fit in the 318. The cores are the same, the only reason people call it a "340" cam is due to the specs used in the 275hp 340 (or ones close to it)

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/dcc-4452761ae/overview/

I think this is it...and that's just the tip of the iceberg...there are literally dozens of grinds similar to this one which would suit your purpose.