Advice about a 360.

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dajsdart

dajsdart

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I know where I can get a 360 with a 727 out of an 89 van. I know that the 727 is worth it, I have been planning on getting one for my 318 anyway. I am hoping that since it was in a van it will have all the heavy duty gears in it. Is the 360 worth it? It was running but it has been sitting. It looks like it came with a factory four bbl. My plan if it was worth it was to rebuild the 360 from the ground up, the right way. I have heard about swapping out 340/360/and 318 parts. Usually putting a 340 cam into a 318. Any other ideas.
 
If its an '89, it will be TBI (throttle body injection). Awesome year of a 360!!!! It has the roller cam (great for todays oils), it also has the 308 heads (one of the best pre-magnum heads). It also will have the lobe that drives a mechanical fuel pump on the front of the cam (even thought its fuel injection). If it is truly a 1989 motor, it is a great place to start (so long as it doesn't have 250,000 miles on it).
 
318willrun said:
If its an '89, it will be TBI (throttle body injection). Awesome year of a 360!!!! It has the roller cam (great for todays oils), it also has the 308 heads (one of the best pre-magnum heads). It also will have the lobe that drives a mechanical fuel pump on the front of the cam (even thought its fuel injection). If it is truly a 1989 motor, it is a great place to start (so long as it doesn't have 250,000 miles on it).
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Yes, times two of what he said!
 
Yea, here's a few and think hard on them otherwise I'll call it going backwards!

Stay with the roller cam!
Use roller rockers!
The factor roller lifters are fine! Use them again and again and again!
Dump the F.I.
Do use a dual plane intake
Do use a quality distributor and ignition system
Do not use the one size fits all 1-5/8 header!

Check out Hugesengines.com for a cam & other parts for the engine.
Choose the cam based on your driving rpm range before you pick something to dang large and piss yourself off and throw wrenches around.

If your going to build it right and performance is in the game plan, look to a flat top piston @ a zero deck height. A KB-107 or the equal from Federal Mougal with the anti scuff coating are excellent choices for a 360!

Been there done that and in the middle of doing it again!
2 more 360 on a stand awaiting to go! Now I need cars! Lmao!
 
rumblefish360 said:
Check out Hugesengines.com for a cam & other parts for the engine.
Choose the cam based on your driving rpm range before you pick something to dang large and piss yourself off and throw wrenches around.
Click to expand...

I agree with what he said above, but....

Be careful when dealing with Hughes.

I built a 91 360 with my son. I bought a cam from Hughes. I told them that we wanted the cam with the nose for the mechanical fuel pump.

Well, the one with the nose "wasn't in stock", so they sent me the one without the nose (for the same price) and also included a cheaply engineered "adapter nose kit" (for $30 more) to adapt the non mechanical fuel pump cam to a mechanical fuel pump. So for $30 more, they sent me exactly what I told them not to (they decided that I needed it for me). :finga:

I reworked the "adapter kit" to be a little more robust than they originally designed, but still wish that they sent me the proper cam in the first place. If I ever do go back to them and they pull that **** again, I will send it back.... :violent1:
 
dajsdart said:
I know where I can get a 360 with a 727 out of an 89 van. I know that the 727 is worth it, I have been planning on getting one for my 318 anyway. I am hoping that since it was in a van it will have all the heavy duty gears in it. Is the 360 worth it? It was running but it has been sitting. It looks like it came with a factory four bbl. My plan if it was worth it was to rebuild the 360 from the ground up, the right way. I have heard about swapping out 340/360/and 318 parts. Usually putting a 340 cam into a 318. Any other ideas.
Click to expand...

From what I've learned on this site, you would be adding some significant, unnecessary weight by going with the 727 TorqueFlite. That is, unless you are encroaching 400 horse power. As far as the 89 van engine, as mentioned it should have come equipped with a TBI, not a carb, unless it was changed over at some point. And you are correct, all your accessories from your 318 will 'bolt on' as far as I know. The roller cam is a cool factory upgrade only available in the LA block from '89-91. I would be much more stoked with the acquisition of the engine than the transmission...
 
The 727 does weigh in a bit more than the 904 does but not a level to be concerned about. Also, when building a. Engine, the state of the trans can be more of a factor than what trans is behind the engine. I have no issue with putting 400HP behind a Otherwise stock 904. So long as it is in good shape.

The 727 uses more power to turn. It is not a lot. On race rides, it shows up as a tenth in the 1/4 IIRC, as reported back in the day. You'll never know, see or feel the differance in the street.
 
K K, I would have sent it back to Hugehes instantly and got my money back if they didn't have what I wanted in stock. A tounge lashing would have happened if there was anything but "Yes Sir, sorry Sir, right away Sir!"

There is no problem going to town on someone or biz that does stupid stuff like that with me.
I HAVE NO PROBLEM WASTING MONEY ON LAWYERS!

They should have called you and asked if that was OK to do and not charge you a cent more than what you aready paid for. Period, that plain and simple.
 
Thanks for the info. I can't wait to get started. I may not use the 727, but I will still grab it because they are hard to come by.
 
Use that 360! I have a 1990 360 in my duster that I rebuilt(pretty much the same thing as the 1989 360's). It too has the "308" heads on it.
Just make sure you cap off the smog ports if you are using headers. Use taps and 1/4 inch flat head machine screws. I am also using an A999 transmission (beefier A904 with wide ratio gears) behind it and I love it!
 
rumblefish360 said:
K K, I would have sent it back to Hugehes instantly and got my money back if they didn't have what I wanted in stock. A tounge lashing would have happened if there was anything but "Yes Sir, sorry Sir, right away Sir!"

There is no problem going to town on someone or biz that does stupid stuff like that with me.
I HAVE NO PROBLEM WASTING MONEY ON LAWYERS!

They should have called you and asked if that was OK to do and not charge you a cent more than what you aready paid for. Period, that plain and simple.
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Yeah, I know. I tried to "work with them" and give the "adapter" a try. :tool:

But you know hindsight.... :banghead:
 
actually i think you are doin' it right.

by having a complete core 360 you can build up, then swap in when ready, you are much better off. just doing bolt-ons usually is disappointing.

but with the 360 as a base, you can stroke to 408 swap in a solid roller save up for some decent heads, etc.

there are plenty of engine builders here. MRL comes to mind

contact them, i'm sure Mike will give you all the advice you could possibly need:

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/member.php?u=18781
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=241854
 
Just remember, the 360 is externally balanced. If you are going to bolt it up to the 904/converter from the 318, you will need to use a balanced flexplate. B&M sells them, or you can have the one on the motor balanced (I had it done for 50 bucks). Worked out real nice.
 
Oh yea! That engine! Nice package! Mike sis a super nice job on that one. I remember reading up on that one and saying WOW! And a mild Hyd. Roller cam did that? He nailed it.
 
I'm putting a 89 360 in my 69 cuda with lots of advice from rumble. I am using the 318 water pump so I can reuse my alt and power steering pump. The 360 water pump doesn't have the holes for the brackets, and enters on the other side and causes pulley problems.
 
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