318 and 360 small block question
Hello there FABO,
I wanted to ask people on here who have some knowledge about building small block 318's and 360's, what their opinions and recommendations would be on building a reliable motor for a daily driver. What are the advantages and disadvantages of both small blocks? Which motor would you recommend for a reliable, daily driver build? Any kind of information on either blocks would be greatly appreciated. I would also like to hear about any tips or pointers you have picked up from any kind of experience you have had with building either one of these motors. Please share photos if you would like, thank you for reading.
Ethan
From my experience in rebuilding both engines, a bunch depends on you, the car it’s in and what is expected from the engine/car combination. While you did state some practical and honest goals, I’ll take that description and run with it.
For mileage considerations only, the 318 wins and will do it well.
For a bit more get up and go, the extra stroke of the 360 is a huge thing.
Ether engine will do great.
My ‘79 Dodge Magnum I purchased off of the original owner came with a 318/904/2.76 set up. He kept all records! Even when the light bulb rod the radio went out, twice, even the name of the guy who repaired it. Insane records!
He stoped recording miles after only 10 years with just over 323,000 miles. I asked why and he told me for the next 4 years, his daughter used it for collage with weekend trips back home. Collage was an easy 200 miles away. Then his son 4 years later at the same collage. He told me he hates flying so twice a year, the family would load up and take a trip to visit one of the states and tour it. He’s been to every state in the continental union and drive through Canada. From there, after his son got done with collage, he daily drive it for work, which I knew the exact firehouse he worked in since it was down the block from where I worked. (Weird huh?!) The drive was a daily 80 mile trek he did 5 days a week for the next 10 years. Poor car suffered NYC rush hours. Horrible- not joking.
I got the car and it was just fine. Needed an oil pump, tune up & that’s it.
On a 360 I had in another Magnum, it was basically dead stock. A 4bbl Carter AFB was used and dual exhaust was out on. The best mileage I got out of that with 2.76 gears was 20 Hwy. I have no idea how many miles were on that 1st Magnum of mine. It came to me well over 20 years old with the odometer reading 70/80K on it, but I don’t think it was the first time it’s seen those numbers ether.
The only price difference I see worth mentioning between the two engines is possibly piston price. That would not be a lot ether.
My tip for a stock or nearly stock engine is just simply good machine work and care during assembly. Keep the compression under 8.5-1 for an easy use of 87 octane. Use a factory cast iron 4bbl intake and what ever carb you use, (Carter AFB/AVS are my favorites behind a good TQ.) take the time to tune it as best you can. Same with the distributor. The use of a 4bbl carb can indeed, easy enough, get great mileage. The amount of mileage available is a multi prong issue starting with your right foot. Then how well the distributor and carb are dialed in. Again, take your time on it.
I highly suggest a “H” pipe dual exhaust even if you’re going to run exhaust manifolds. Longer the muffler the quieter it’ll be.
I have found some good mileage gains from a multi spark system. I can’t suggest a MSD anymore due to their incredibly high failure rate with me. My suggestion is get a factory chrome box or equal in the car, work with it until you can afford a superior multi spark system. Below is where I would go.
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A word on camshafts, keep it small and easy, it’ll last longer. Regrinds of the factory stock 2 & 4 barrel cams are available through Mellings which you can purchase through Summit racing.