Rebuilt 318 Magnum. Is it a good deal?

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Justin Sykes

Justin Sykes

CrewCabDart
Joined
Feb 11, 2019
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Location
Marietta MS
Theres this guy local that has a rebuilt (by a local machine shop 10 years ago) ‘98 5.2 Magnum motor for sale. He says it was for a project and life got in the way, but it has been stored indoors. He states this motor has never been fired.
Ad describes:
-new std bearings
-new cast rings
-block power honed
-block decked .065 (near zero decked he states)
-new oil pump
-reground roller cam (barely legible specs in pic)
-new push rods
-cleaned stock lifters
-stock freshened rotating assy
*BEST PART*
-brand new fully assembled EQ Heads (old, good casting)
-Air Gap style carb intake

I have a strong feeling i can snag it for right around $1000-$1200. I feel that the heads alone are worth that alone, and I definitely couldn’t build a motor for near the price. I would obviously go through the motor and inspect the internals while adding all new gaskets. This would directly replace my tired LA318, and i feel with the cam, heads, and decking be a solid 350-370 horse motor. Should i jump on it and save myself the hunt of a good Mag360 with heads that aren’t cracked and do a ground up rebuild? Any insight appreciated.

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Seems reasonable. I think your power estimate is a bit high. Probably more like 330-340, but nonetheless, a pretty decent deal.
 
RustyRatRod said:
Seems reasonable. I think your power estimate is a bit high. Probably more like 330-340, but nonetheless, a pretty decent deal.
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It may be a bit high, but it very similarly follows ‘hot rods 400 horse 318’ build, but roller rather than flat tappet. Some pocket porting/ cleaning on the EQs and i feel it’ll be plenty stout. Besides, if i ever decide to go 5.9 Mag in the future i’ll have the perfect heads for it.
 
Justin Sykes said:
It may be a bit high, but it very similarly follows ‘hot rods 400 horse 318’ build, but roller rather than flat tappet. Some pocket porting/ cleaning on the EQs and i feel it’ll be plenty stout. Besides, if i ever decide to go 5.9 Mag in the future i’ll have the perfect heads for it.
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Sure, with some work on the heads, you may get there. You left that info out.
 
For what you are looking to do, I'd grab it in a heart beat. Sounds like a real good deal.
 
You can verify the heads are EQ by casting number under valve cover area and stamping on the machined flat surface on each head. If it's good EQ heads cast in New Zealand, I would grab that in a heartbeat. Makes the whole package well worth a $1200 price tag.
The one thing I would do personally is have the heads checked by a trusted machine shop, paying close attention to the guides. A lot of those heads were sold without the guides being sized properly, so don't risk it. Have it checked.
 
If you can get it for a grand or less, I'd be all over that.
 
Good deal for everything in the picture.
Don't forget it is an external balance and your LA is most likely internal so you'll need correct damper, flex plate or flywheel.
 
Bobzilla said:
You can verify the heads are EQ by casting number under valve cover area and stamping on the machined flat surface on each head. If it's good EQ heads cast in New Zealand, I would grab that in a heartbeat. Makes the whole package well worth a $1200 price tag.
The one thing I would do personally is have the heads checked by a trusted machine shop, paying close attention to the guides. A lot of those heads were sold without the guides being sized properly, so don't risk it. Have it checked.
Click to expand...
Whats a surefire way to determine the heads are correct?
 
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