Have a few questions about a 360 that came extra with my car. Is there a way to tell what year it was from and if it's actually a 360? Everything is disassembled (freeze plugs are even out) would it be too much of a hassle to rebuild and use for a DAily driver or should I just get rid of that sucker?
Rebuild it.
Buy new pistons and get the compression between 9.0 or 9.5. Take in the heads and have the intake valves opened up to accept the 340 2.02" intake valves instead of the 360's 1.88". Port them a little if you wish.
You can get good deals on "refresh" kits from Mancini Racing. They sell just a kit with bearings, rings, and gaskets, to kits with bearings, rings, gaskets, and pistons for reasonable prices.
Here's the Mancini main page:
http://www.manciniracing.com/
Here's the Mancini page with the different engine kits:
http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/enrebkit.html
Here's the Mancini page with the basic kit A with cast rings for $205:
Product Description
A-KIT Includes:
-Sealed Power Rod bearings
-Sealed Power Main bearings
-Felpro Gasket Set
-Sealed Power Rings (Cast)
http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/sealedpowerkit.html
Here's the Mancini page with the basic kit B with moly rings for $215:
Product Description
B-KIT Includes:
-Sealed Power Rod bearings
-Sealed Power Main bearings
-Felpro Gasket Set
-Sealed Power Rings (Moly)
http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/sealpowkitb.html
Here's the Mancini page with the basic kit C with cast pistons for $420 with:
Product Description
C-KIT Includes:
-Sealed Power Rod bearings
-Sealed Power Main bearings
-Sealed Power Cam Bearings
-Freeze Plugs
-Melling Oil Pump
-Felpro Gasket Set
-Sealed Power Rings (Moly)
-Sterling Pistons (Cast)
http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/sealpowkitc.html
Here's the Mancini page with the basic kit C with forged pistons for $750 with :
Product Description
D-KIT Includes:
-Sealed Power Rod bearings
-Sealed Power Mains bearings
-Sealed Power Cam Bearings
-Freeze Plugs
-Melling Oil Pump
-Felpro Gasket Set
-Sealed Power Rings (Moly)
-Sterling Pistons (Forged)
http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/sealpowkitd.html
Put in a nice cam with between 260° and 280° degrees duration. I recommend Rhoades lifters for better idle, low and mid range power, and increased idle vacuum. You will need part number 2018 for a stock hydraulic flat tappet cam. Here are the links for Rhoades lifters:
Rhoades main page:
http://www.rhoadslifters.com/
Rhoades part #'s:
http://www.rhoadslifters.com/Pages/PartNumber.html
Here's an article describing how they work (Look at the second one):
http://www.rhoadslifters.com/Pages/Articles.html
You can get Rhoades lifters from Summit racing for $116:
Summit main page:
http://www.summitracing.com/
Here's the page with the Rhoades lifters:
http://www.summitracing.com/search/...e?SortBy=BestKeywordMatch&SortOrder=Ascending
Then get a good dual plane intake. The old Edelbrock LD340 is the best one, but is no longer made. You may be able to find one in the for sale ads. If not, Wiand makes a nice dual plane intake with an RPM band from idle to 6000 RPM which is my next choice. Here is the Wiand intake that I recommend for the 600 CFM square bore intake:
CHRYSLER SMALL BLOCK STEALTH™ INTAKE MANIFOLD PART #: 8022 $227
Features
High Rise Dual Plane Design
Square Bore Carburetor Mounting Flange
No EGR Provisions
Power band: Idle-6800 RPM
Height: Front 4.88", Rear 5.94"
Port Size: 1.96” height 1.00" width
http://www.holley.com/8022.asp
Then top it off with a Holley 4bbl List #80457. It is the basic 1850 Holley 600 CFM vacuum secondary, but with an electric choke (which is good for winter and all round driving) and is calibrated for a late 60's V-8. You can get them at Mancini racing, last time I ordered one it was just under $290. Or you can get the Edelbrock 625 CFM carb with the electric choke from Mancini for about the same price. Whatever carb you are comfortable with is your choice.
This set-up will be great for a daily driver.