Long shot, but I don't think it hurts to ask. Looking for a tested 340 or 360 production block with exceptional sonic check numbers and otherwise perfect condition. Any racers have a block sitting in the corner of the shop that has been tested and put away for a rainy day that you've come to realize you will never get to? Want to help a fellow Mopar racer out? Looking to get away from resto block and build a new motor.
[WANTED] 340 or 360 Thick walled block.
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coloradohill
Well-Known Member
mbaird
mbaird
Curious..have you considered a late 89-91 360 magnum block with oiling holes ? I read differing opinions as the whether they are better castings.
I had an early 71 360 block stashed away at a friends place but he let another buddy use it .
I had an early 71 360 block stashed away at a friends place but he let another buddy use it .
X2 on GTX John!
mbaird
mbaird
I have a 91 block out of a b250 van but I am a long ways away.
I keep an eye out at the salvage yards for maxi vans because they usually used as shuttles and thus have long duty cycles which I believe leads to less core shift and they tend to be driven mildly. Seldom do they have a ring ridge in the bore.
I keep an eye out at the salvage yards for maxi vans because they usually used as shuttles and thus have long duty cycles which I believe leads to less core shift and they tend to be driven mildly. Seldom do they have a ring ridge in the bore.
Any chance you have had them checked for thickness? I have bought a few blocks this year that by casting numbers and dates should be good blocks, when tested, are not. I really just don't have room for maybes. Lol
lead69
hopeless car junkie
I understand but the blocks I have are rotoblasted, mag'd and sonic tested and the price would reflect that. The other thing is just how thick you are looking for, I have one that is at or over .200 everywhere but does need a repair, most of mine fall in the 180-190ish average range when all points are checked.
Baxter61
Well-Known Member
Once upon a time you used to be able to ship a block through Fastenal for like $120, still may be a reasonable option
Mtrhead
Ace of Spades ♠️
That would have to be one of the first 360s ever casted for 71 2 Barrel Newport or something I heard they had a cold weather 360 block ..like they did with early 400s with no core shift some of the first castings
If you have the budget I would experiment with sleaving all 8 cylinder of a production block. I assume you're trying to shed a few more pounds off by switching to a standard block.
That was the original plan. I have not found a machine shop that has any interest in doing it. Also I was told that there are production blocks out there that have gone 4.185 with meat left, and I feel an uncut one would probably be stronger.
I agree and then not. It's a complicated issue. We sonic tested quite a few and found there was a greater amount of thicker blocks with early date codes. We knew immediately on some, because of the lack of space between the cylinders with the freeze plugs removed. 100% of the time, those blocks WERE a good bit thicker. On my 331 Hemi block for example, there was not enough space for even the lead tip of a #2 pencil to fit. From the casting number and markings, it turned out to be what's called an "extended service" truck block. Those can be bored to the 392 4" size and beyond. It came out of a 56 D500 dump truck. On the flip side, we did also see some early blocks that were not consistently thicker, although without fail, they had a very thick side if that makes sense, as in core shift. So the ones that did test consistently thick we determined there was less core shift......although on the ones where there was so little space between the cylinders, 100% of the time they were thicker everywhere we tested. So I think the best answer is "it depends". lol
4.185 is huge for a production block! What is the bore size of your resto block if you dont mind me asking? The shop that did the machine work on Jim Seilers FAST GTS block down in Jersey might take on the sleeve job.
NC Engine Builder
Grumpy Old Man
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Yeah, I should have clarified a bit better, and I agree 100% on the early hemis, I have a 331 here that is super thick. The production blocks are a crap shoot, my experience is that you cant simply say "early 360 blocks are thicker" some are, some are not. I have a 90 roller 360 here that's as thick as any "early" 360 I have checked.
Yup. Sonic testing is a must. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it should be the first thing done on every single block after coming out of the cleaning vat.
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