Swappin 318's

[blackace]

I have a spare 318 that I want to put in my Dart. I picked it up over the summer and is sitting on my stand. I was told it has about 75 to 80k miles on it. I want to make sure that its it decent shape before I put it in.

What should I do to make sure it's in good working order? Anything thing I should look for? Should get a gasket kit and replace all the gaskets before putting it in? Do a leak down test? It seems to spin OK.

 

[Sublime69]

I have a spare 318 that I want to put in my Dart. I picked it up over the summer and is sitting on my stand. I was told it has about 75 to 80k miles on it. I want to make sure that its it decent shape before I put it in.

What should I do to make sure it's in good working order? Anything thing I should look for? Should get a gasket kit and replace all the gaskets before putting it in? Do a leak down test? It seems to spin OK.

Ya , since its out and on a stand, i would take the pan off and visually inspect the botton end, look at the oil pump and replace the pan gasket. Theres nothing worse than putting a motor in and having it leak oil.

Then i would do a compression/leak down test to check the rings.

Good luck

 

[stupidasso]

When I opened up my old 318 before I bought the 360, there was a bolt missing from the #2 main.
look for metal shavings in the sludge at the bottom of your oil pan.
take compressed air and blow through the coolant journals to get any crud out of there. Replace the front and rear oil seals too.

Nothing worse than finding that oil leak after all that hard work of installing it.

 

[usdart]

Since it is out on a stand why not put in some fresh bearings and rings?
A good engine doesn't cost much to freshen up. Cam and lifters $100.00,gaskets $50.00, oil pump $30.00, rings and bearings $75.00. Water pump $25.00. New fuel pump $25.00.

If you see my point? You can get away with a rebuild for under $500.00!..then you know you are good to go! :thumblef:

 

[68gts340]

there are several things that should be checked. do the leak down test, then i would pull a couple main caps and a couple rod caps to check the bearings , you can use plasti gauge to verify the clearances, i would replace the timing gears with a good set, i would also pull a couple lifters and check the bottoms of them for wear , if they are dished at all they need replacing ,along with the cam, i have even pulled heads apart and reseated the valves and replaced the seals,,, or you can believe the previous owner and just put it in. but to me its worth checking it out ,, i have found bad main bearings i quite a few good running 318 s... right now is the time to fix whatever may be needed..........