The LA Motor "Block"
(Small Block Mopar) I get asked a lot of questions about the LA block so I thought I would answer it on line. First off there is a lot of opinions out there and there is defiantly many ways to skin a cat. "PETA" people are rolling there eyes right now, LMAO. OK, this is what I have learned about the LA block after 30 years of racing them. The Ritter Block and the R blocks are the best choices for all out racing "Period." Now if you are looking for a good stock block to build 600 to 700 Horse Power out of then I would look for 1970 - 1972 360 block, I know, I just made half of the forum grasp there heart like Fred Sanford, but like we say up North "Let me splain." When they stated developing the 360 in 1969-1970 they did not have a mold built for the 360 yet, so they used the 340 mold until 1973 castings. This make the 360's from 1970-1972 years a small bore 340, thick walls, and 2.81″ diameter main journals makes it the best choice. If you are going to race it with over 500 hp I would use block filler, do not put in 4 bold main caps, just buy a main girdle. I have used girdles up over 900 horse power with NO PROBLEM. I have built over 25 SB engines that made over 600 HP with Hardblock, and a Girdle and have never had a block failure. In my opinion it comes down to Heat treating the block "heat relieving", Good Machining, balanced rotating assembly, good selection of parts, "DO NOT CUT CORNERS" Not overfilling the Hardblock, a girdle and a tri metal head gaskets. Be clean and take your time and check everything during assembly. I also use Herb McCandless oiling Mods for small block mopar, it works great. I hope this helps, now this is my opinion and we all know what opinions are like, so I will say it like this "This is my opinion and treat it as such" happy racing.
(Small Block Mopar) I get asked a lot of questions about the LA block so I thought I would answer it on line. First off there is a lot of opinions out there and there is defiantly many ways to skin a cat. "PETA" people are rolling there eyes right now, LMAO. OK, this is what I have learned about the LA block after 30 years of racing them. The Ritter Block and the R blocks are the best choices for all out racing "Period." Now if you are looking for a good stock block to build 600 to 700 Horse Power out of then I would look for 1970 - 1972 360 block, I know, I just made half of the forum grasp there heart like Fred Sanford, but like we say up North "Let me splain." When they stated developing the 360 in 1969-1970 they did not have a mold built for the 360 yet, so they used the 340 mold until 1973 castings. This make the 360's from 1970-1972 years a small bore 340, thick walls, and 2.81″ diameter main journals makes it the best choice. If you are going to race it with over 500 hp I would use block filler, do not put in 4 bold main caps, just buy a main girdle. I have used girdles up over 900 horse power with NO PROBLEM. I have built over 25 SB engines that made over 600 HP with Hardblock, and a Girdle and have never had a block failure. In my opinion it comes down to Heat treating the block "heat relieving", Good Machining, balanced rotating assembly, good selection of parts, "DO NOT CUT CORNERS" Not overfilling the Hardblock, a girdle and a tri metal head gaskets. Be clean and take your time and check everything during assembly. I also use Herb McCandless oiling Mods for small block mopar, it works great. I hope this helps, now this is my opinion and we all know what opinions are like, so I will say it like this "This is my opinion and treat it as such" happy racing.
