340 cam for 318

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PRH said:
I wouldn’t have thought it was possible to have 10 pages worth of discussion on a mild 318 build.
Yet, I’m reminded of how wrong I am about that, as it seems to be something that occurs fairly regularly.
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It usually goes to 10 pages simply because everyone has different ideas on what a mild build consists of and someone will bring up going with a 360 instead and that adds to the conversation. Actually it shouldn't take more than a page for a mild build of a 318 or a 360 for that matter. If the 318 has good compression and oil pressure a good quality tune up can help. A change of the rear gears and stall converter recurve the distributor and dual exhaust will greatly improve the performance
 
I built a mild 318 in 1990…….long before there were any internet car forums to have threads like this drag on for 10+ pages.
It’s just not that complicated.
See post 125 in this companion thread:
LA 318 advice

So, we’re actually at 20+ pages between the two, for the same less-than-1hp-per-ci 318 build.
 
318 threads over at Moparts went about 3 or 4 pages, the op usually took in the advice and moved on.
Most be more money over there. lol
 
That’s the thing with this one though, the other thread started out by proposing all kinds of talk about block decking, new pistons, balancing, etc.

Be better off just selling the current motor complete, and starting over.
 
PRH said:
That’s the thing with this one though, the other thread started out by proposing all kinds of talk about block decking, new pistons, balancing, etc.

Be better off just selling the current motor complete, and starting over.
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No doubt. Usually the OP just want's a 4 barrel and dual exhaust. That's enough of a project for many here. Replacing a cam and doing it right shouldn't be attempted by many here. Like I have said many times here, there is no "magic cam" for a stock 318.
 
PRH said:
That’s the thing with this one though, the other thread started out by proposing all kinds of talk about block decking, new pistons, balancing, etc.

Be better off just selling the current motor complete, and starting over.
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or skip all of that for a budget build. You're right though....invest in a 340 or 360.
 
PRH said:
That’s the thing with this one though, the other thread started out by proposing all kinds of talk about block decking, new pistons, balancing, etc.

Be better off just selling the current motor complete, and starting over.
Click to expand...
That's always the killer in a 318 the machine work. In theory yes the roadblocks in a 318 can be overcome but not inexpensively... folks get happy because of the shared crank dimensions with the 340 but it isn't that easy. I had a guy tell me way back in the 80s" a 340 is a 318..." it's just far from the truth.
 
It's not hard to build a 318 to run with a stock 340, 318 wilrun has already proved that.
and they say the 340 was the big block killer. lol
 
Dartswinger70 said:
I imagine it was back in 1970. Back when 13s and 14 in the quarter was respectable.
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99% of the guy's out there couldn't handle a true 12 sec car on the street and if they could where would they use the power.
Most couldn't handle a stock 440 with headers and 4.10's in an A-body. lol
 
Agreed... it is all Dick swinging that's all it ever was. I met an old feller at a car show a few years back he claimed he had "700Horsepower" I walked away like "what's that old whitehaired coot need with 700 horsepower..." shaking my head... :lol:
 
PRH said:
I built a mild 318 in 1990…….long before there were any internet car forums to have threads like this drag on for 10+ pages.
It’s just not that complicated.
See post 125 in this companion thread:
LA 318 advice

So, we’re actually at 20+ pages between the two, for the same less-than-1hp-per-ci 318 build.
Click to expand...
And I'm sure that it wondered off topic like it always does. It should take more than a page
 
What I always wondered is.......
......... .......... ..
why does everyone that would never build a 318 and think it's a waste of time show up in every thread that is titled "318".
:realcrazy: :realcrazy::realcrazy:
Then fuss about it :D
 
318willrun said:
What I always wondered is.......
......... .......... ..
why does everyone that would never build a 318 and think it's a waste of time show up in every thread that is titled "318".
:realcrazy: :realcrazy::realcrazy:
Then fuss about it :D
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It's a ***** thing! :rofl:
 
Remember in the old days telling a guy to his face his car was a POS all the butthurt that caused? good times...none of that matters now in 2024 almost 25... :lol:
 
Dartswinger70 said:
Remember in the old days telling a guy to his face his car was a POS all the butthurt that caused? good times...none of that matters now in 2024 almost 25... :lol:
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:rofl: :rofl: You can't reach through the computer and poke the guy in the nose?
 
toolmanmike said:
:rofl: :rofl: You can't reach through the computer and poke the guy in the nose?
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No Im not saying anyone here's car is a POS I just remember how it was back in the day you could get a guy really worked up over his car this is probably mechanic banter if you ever worked in a shop etc. For example I knew a guy who had a 396 in a k-5 Blazer Id always go up to it and say "what a waste of a motor that belongs in a Camaro or something..." he'd get testy and say "Well I like trucks..." then there was a kid who had a 4 cylinder Fox body , he'd always talk about putting a FE 390 in it that his dad gave him..we'd always say "yeah yeah yeah it wont even fit between the strut towers..." he'd be like "Huh?" this was like 25 or so years ago...just popping peoples bubble is all it is... :lol:
 
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Stardate 45965.30 We have encountered a Class M Planet

Home of the Indigenous People Called Mopar​

Ahora, Note to Starfleet Mopar 318LA build #4139826.6
Stock used Dual Plane Manifold, or Performer, Weigand, Small 4bbl, Jeg's / Summit Dual Exhaust Kit on stock manifolds. 3404bbl sticker on air cleaner
 
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toolmanmike said:
It's a ***** thing! :rofl:
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I had a buddy years ago that would say lets get it over with and he'd whip it out. lol
It was known never to challenge or question him, just let him do his thing. anything for him not to whip it out. lol
 
PRH said:
That’s the thing with this one though, the other thread started out by proposing all kinds of talk about block decking, new pistons, balancing, etc.

Be better off just selling the current motor complete, and starting over.
Click to expand...

Right, as though the 340 cam is some 240 @ .050 monster camshaft. Only thing I'd like is if it was on a tighter LSA, 108-110, so it could be in advanced around 105 or less. Other than that, run it.
 
Dartswinger70 said:
I'm not trying to be a Debbie downer but IMO a 340 cam in a 318 will just make the 318 "sound good" without heads for high rpm flow it will stop making power at about 5000 rpm or there about. Yes the 318 will sound good and "do a burnout"...:)
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and that's the thing. some people just want something that's a little better, sounds good and has some kick to it, maybe do a burn out and that's it. they're never gonna take it to the track. they're never gonna wring its neck bang shifting it at 6K. they're never gonna spend hours and hours running jetting loops and checking plugs looking for that little bit more.

for the vast majority 5k is fine.

also, you're dead wrong. a 340 cam in a 318 will flat *** rip, if done right.
 
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