318 timing chain.....and why the engine should come out.

I ended up totally removing the transmission and completely inspecting it. It needs clutch packs and the front pump bushing. Other than that it’s in pretty good shape but was about to lose the direct drum gears. So I’m working on that. It’s completely apart right now.

The engine is as well. I had to get a cam bearing installer to replace the cam bearings. I’m going to polish the cam and crank lightly with 400 grit just to smooth it some for the new bearings.

I did get rid of all that casting in the entire block. It’s all smooth and the oil return in the lifter galleys were opened up some. The oval drains are now perfect.

I cleaned the block really well as well as the oil passages with gun brushes.

So that leads me to another question.......I have all the parts for a decent build. Except the cam.

I’ve got the carb, intake, headers, ported heads, roller timing chain, dual exhaust...the cam is missing. What I’ve thought of since this is a hack job refresh is getting a mid 70s 360 cam......a 252......it’s better than the 240 I’m running now and I can get it stupid cheap from a yard if I can find one. The mufflers I have are flowmaster 40s or 70s or something like that

I’d prefer a cam in the 260 range but that might not be in the cards. I want it to have a nice idle sound but not at the cost of all the low end we’ve talked about.