LA318 question

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Charrlie_S

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Reading some threads about 318 engines (LA & Magnum). I was wondering if there is a way to determine if a LA engine is flat tappet, or roller lifter, without taking anything major apart.
I have a 1988 Diplomat, that I bought new in '88. Engine has never been opened up. Only thigs done to engine are routine maintenance, and removal of the lean burn system, for the HEI (carb and dist).
 
Now if I could only remember what year the change over was from Hyd to roller…. It’s here somewhere!
 
He ment to copy and paste….
:rofl:

  • 1985 - Federal 318s went to a roller cam and lifters (unless they had the four-barrel carburetor), reducing friction and increasing longevity; valve shrouding was used to increase the burn rate; and the compression ratio was hiked from 8.4:1 to 9.0:1. Truck engines did not get the roller tappets at this time, according to Chrysler's literature of the day.
  • 1986 - 318 receives high swirl heads
  • 1987 - 3.9 is developed from 360
  • 1988 - 318 get hydraulic roller cam; 3.9 and 318 get throttle-body fuel injection
  • 1989 - 360 gets hydraulic roller cam
 
just remove one valve cover. 5 small bolts. Get a flashlight and look for the dog bones, there will be your answer.
 
My dad had an 86 van w/a 318. Bought it with a spun bearing, we swapped out the engine with the one from his previous (rotted out) van. That 86 motor had the castings in place for the dog bones but had conventional Hyd flat tappets.

I had an 85 and an 89 Diplomat, never had reason to go inside of the engine to find out on either.
 
1988 will be a roller camshaft. I remember the 1987 engines we were putting in different lifters and push rods for a cold start up tick. They were the first roller 318 engines and the parts we were putting in had 1988 part numbers on them. It was a TSB back in the day. Why the hell do I remember that?
 
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318willrun said:
just remove one valve cover. 5 small bolts. Get a flashlight and look for the dog bones, there will be your answer.
Click to expand...
As stated above 1984 casting date 318 roller.If I remember the pushrods are shorter than flat tappet.
88truck_3.jpg
Copy of 88truck_4.jpg
Copy of 88truck_2.jpg
 
rumblefish360 said:
He ment to copy and paste….
:rofl:

  • 1985 - Federal 318s went to a roller cam and lifters (unless they had the four-barrel carburetor), reducing friction and increasing longevity; valve shrouding was used to increase the burn rate; and the compression ratio was hiked from 8.4:1 to 9.0:1. Truck engines did not get the roller tappets at this time, according to Chrysler's literature of the day.
  • 1986 - 318 receives high swirl heads
  • 1987 - 3.9 is developed from 360
  • 1988 - 318 get hydraulic roller cam; 3.9 and 318 get throttle-body fuel injection
  • 1989 - 360 gets hydraulic roller cam
Click to expand...
My 88 teener has a 2 bbl carb from the factory not TB injection. This is one reason I'm asking the question about the valve train. Even the factory parts books list both the roller lifters, and/or flat hydraulic lifters as being in the 318. The dealer can't tell me which it has, even with the vin number. Just curious about this. I'm not going inside to look. Engine has no oil leaks, and I'm not going to open a can of worms, just to satisfy my curiosity. I was just wondering if I could tell, without going inside. I wouldn't mind using a bore camera to take a look inside a valve cover, or somewhere else.
Just another thing. I had a 85 5th ave with a 318, and it did not have roller lifters. I was inside that motor.
 
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Charrlie_S said:
My 88 teener has a 2 bbl carb from the factory not TB injection. This is one reason I'm asking the question about the valve train. Even the factory parts books list both the roller lifters, and/or flat hydraulic lifters as being in the 318. The dealer can't tell me which it has, even with the vin number. Just curious about this. I'm not going inside to look. Engine has no oil leaks, and I'm not going to open a can of worms, just to satisfy my curiosity. I was just wondering if I could tell, without going inside. I wouldn't mind using a bore camera to take a look inside a valve cover, or somewhere else.
Just another thing. I had a 85 5th ave with a 318, and it did not have roller lifters. I was inside that motor.
Click to expand...
I'll suggest this again.... 5 small bolts to remove a valve cover and you'll know what you have. Literally 2.5 minutes.
 
I had a 85 teen (if I remember correctly) out of a Chrysler 5th Avenue. It was a 302 headed roller cam block. I kept the block heads and have the crank as well. I thought it would make a nice 390 stroker. Hey, I have a set of Speedmaster alloy heads in the basement. I need to get busy! LOL
 
318willrun said:
I'll suggest this again.... 5 small bolts to remove a valve cover and you'll know what you have. Literally 2.5 minutes.
Click to expand...
Sorry, not going to happen. Would have to move a bunch of "stuff" out of the way, then clean off what is left of a 34 year old gasket. Put it back together with a poor-quality Chinese made gasket and have a leak. I have to many other/better things to do.
But I thank everyone for their time.
 
Charrlie_S said:
Sorry, not going to happen. Would have to move a bunch of "stuff" out of the way, then clean off what is left of a 34 year old gasket. Put it back together with a poor-quality Chinese made gasket and have a leak. I have to many other/better things to do.
But I thank everyone for their time.
Click to expand...
LOL... don't apologize, I'm not wondering nor really care. I was only trying to help.
Now the real question.... should I run high zinc or should I not... FT or roller... zinc or not....
 
Charrlie_S said:
My 88 teener has a 2 bbl carb from the factory not TB injection. This is one reason I'm asking the question about the valve train. Even the factory parts books list both the roller lifters, and/or flat hydraulic lifters as being in the 318. The dealer can't tell me which it has, even with the vin number. Just curious about this. I'm not going inside to look. Engine has no oil leaks, and I'm not going to open a can of worms, just to satisfy my curiosity. I was just wondering if I could tell, without going inside. I wouldn't mind using a bore camera to take a look inside a valve cover, or somewhere else.
Just another thing. I had a 85 5th ave with a 318, and it did not have roller lifters. I was inside that motor.
Click to expand...
Exactly, that's why I specifically say 'roller block', as in... 1984 and up casting 318s are all roller compatible -aka have the lifter spider bosses and cast in clearances above the lifter bores for the pushrods...but not all of them had roller cams...and that is pretty well known amongst the mopar community.
 
rumblefish360 said:
In any application!!
What’s the plan for the 318 Charlie?
Click to expand...
It is in my 88 Diplomat. Car is one of our daily drivers. Own 9 vehicles (4insured and registered) and the only newer vehicle we own is a 2011 Fusion, and we use the Dippy more (like it better). The other two road drivers are a 64 Valiant, and 88 D-150.
 
Nice. Just looking to identify the cam used?
Possible upgrade?
I always wanted to get a boat tail Dip.
Charrlie_S said:
It is in my 88 Diplomat. Car is one of our daily drivers. Own 9 vehicles (4insured and registered) and the only newer vehicle we own is a 2011 Fusion, and we use the Dippy more (like it better). The other two road drivers are a 64 Valiant, and 88 D-150.
Click to expand...
 
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