318 Block with a 360 crank??

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68dart-sb

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I have an extra 318 engine and two sets of 273 heads (one extra set of 273 heads), (thinking about building something), several people have said that the 318 has a lot of head space - space between the top of the pistons and the bottom of the head. I am new to this has anyone tried to decrease this space by changing the rods or changing the crank.

What is the best way to go it, what rods?, what crank? Would you change just one or both for best results?

Can you use a 360 crank without major work in the block? Would there be negative head space with the 360 crank? (negative head space - pistons in contact with the bottom of the heads)

I would like to use what I have, just want to build something extra for fun with the parts in the barn.

Thanks, Sam
 
360 crank has different size main journals. Mopar performance sells stroker cranks. Simplest and cheapest is 0 deck the block and run 302 casting heads
 
G'day Sam,
I am running a 318 with a 360 crank (349 cubes). We machined the crank journals to suit 318 bearings, using as many factory parts as possible to keep costs down. Stock rods with ARP bolts, J heads,ported but kept the smaller 1.88 valves, 273 adjustable rockers, Mopar 484 hydraulic cam and a six pack setup.
What a sweet little low cost package! Revs to 7000rpm in each gear,very responsive and yet can sit in peak hour traffic with no issues at all AND probably makes 420 horses.
So I would say go for it and enjoy using your factory bits,as we find out down here that mopar factory stuff is definately underrated.
 
Wow silvercoupe sounds like a great build. I believe there is a writeup on this motor in the teck archives. This build is somewhat historical as its what mopar guys did in the days before aftermarket stroker cranks. Was fairly common back in the 70's and early 80's.

So you didnt need to remove or add a ton of metal from the crank to balance everything?
 
G'day Sam,
I am running a 318 with a 360 crank (349 cubes). We machined the crank journals to suit 318 bearings, using as many factory parts as possible to keep costs down. Stock rods with ARP bolts, J heads,ported but kept the smaller 1.88 valves, 273 adjustable rockers, Mopar 484 hydraulic cam and a six pack setup.
What a sweet little low cost package! Revs to 7000rpm in each gear,very responsive and yet can sit in peak hour traffic with no issues at all AND probably makes 420 horses.
So I would say go for it and enjoy using your factory bits,as we find out down here that mopar factory stuff is definately underrated.

Where did you get your pistons at?? Did you custom order or Machine some stock pistons to work?
 
parts in the barn ....the crank will need to have the mains cut from 2.81 to 2.50 to fit 318 block....you will need to find some pistons in the barn that will allow the longer stroke to keep the piston from hitting the head...

maybe someone can point out the correct piston part number ....
 
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