Why the 318 is a phenomenal engine...

-
gagembassett

gagembassett

FABO Gold Member
FABO Gold Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2021
Messages
500
Reaction score
411
Location
Iowa
I just got done explaining this story on a post that fellow 318 lover '318WillRun' made... so let me explain why I think this. "I LOVE 318s. My grandfather is hardcore 360 and my first actual build was a 360 but the first small block mopar I ever drove is in my 86 W150 and everyone said it'd be a pooch. Lemme tell ya, that sucker RAN even back with the 2 barrel, one day when I was in community college my friends and I ran to get something to eat during lunch break. Myself and a friend rode in my W150 and the other 4 rode in my friends aftermarket turbo'd BMW... when we were cruising back to the college we got to the "25 to 55" speed limit change road and I looked in my rear-view mirror and saw my friend absolutely hammering on it to try and pass me, when I saw him I put my foot to the carpet and when I tell ya the 318 kicked down a gear and SCREAMED at 6,500 and I held him off from passing (mind you this was still with factory 2 barrel equipment and stock exhaust manifolds) and those huge mud tires. Everyone, including myself, was stunned at how well this little 318 ran. That is the key moment when I fell in love with 318s. I know some may think that is a highly made-up story but I have picture proof of my friends standing around my other friend's BMW questioning how good it was after I beat him LOL" The 318 is a beast of an engine and deserves the credit it needs.

272072690_408402150976009_7946861278555471821_n.jpg


272537022_1234803163675628_5254644560018310713_n.jpg
 
I've owned 273's, 318's, 340's, 360's. All together, many many small block mopars. I will say, I like the valve covers the best on 318's! So distinguished !
 
Another that should also be on the bucket list is a stroker 318. You wouldn’t believe how four inches of crank will make one run!
 
That's not a theory on why a 318 is better. Just a story and a good one, mind you. You don't have to sell me. I love a 318.
 
MoparMike1974 said:
If you love a 318 you gotta try a 340.
Click to expand...
I wished I never overlooked the 340 when I was younger, the 383 2 barrel in a 67 Polara was my introduction to Mopar.
I've always been a big block guy. I've only had one 318 LA and it was a 71 Satellite, I wasn't impressed.
 
fishmens67 said:
I wished I never overlooked the 340 when I was younger, the 383 2 barrel in a 67 Polara was my introduction to Mopar.
I've always been a big block guy. I've only had one 318 LA and it was a 71 Satellite, I wasn't impressed.
Click to expand...
I'll take the '71 Satellite. :D I like them cars... a lot !
 
I bought my Dad's '71 Satellite when I was a teenager. The 318 ran fine, but I wanted more go of course. Here are the changes I made at 110k miles.
Freshened the stock heads. Nothing special
Double roller timing chain/gears
Dual exhaust (2-1/4")
Direct Connection purple shaft
1970 Factory 340 intake manifold
Holley 4bbl (600 cfm?, I don't remember)
Lightweight spring on centrifugal advance

It ran great and (miraculously) nothing ever broke!

Note: The transmission had already been rebuilt before the above changes; and then I did the B&M Trick Shift kit myself after the above mods.
 
Last edited:
All this love for the small blocks and how great they run.
OK Anyone ever drive a 1960’s 440?
 
Oh yeah - Had a 69 GTX with a 440 Super Commando in high school, ended up selling it for what I don’t even remember. How dumb am I?
 
6,500 rpm out of a stock 2 bbl, cast exhaust manifolds 318. Amazing !
Better hang on to that one !
 
gagembassett said:
I just got done explaining this story on a post that fellow 318 lover '318WillRun' made... so let me explain why I think this. "I LOVE 318s. My grandfather is hardcore 360 and my first actual build was a 360 but the first small block mopar I ever drove is in my 86 W150 and everyone said it'd be a pooch. Lemme tell ya, that sucker RAN even back with the 2 barrel, one day when I was in community college my friends and I ran to get something to eat during lunch break. Myself and a friend rode in my W150 and the other 4 rode in my friends aftermarket turbo'd BMW... when we were cruising back to the college we got to the "25 to 55" speed limit change road and I looked in my rear-view mirror and saw my friend absolutely hammering on it to try and pass me, when I saw him I put my foot to the carpet and when I tell ya the 318 kicked down a gear and SCREAMED at 6,500 and I held him off from passing (mind you this was still with factory 2 barrel equipment and stock exhaust manifolds) and those huge mud tires. Everyone, including myself, was stunned at how well this little 318 ran. That is the key moment when I fell in love with 318s. I know some may think that is a highly made-up story but I have picture proof of my friends standing around my other friend's BMW questioning how good it was after I beat him LOL" The 318 is a beast of an engine and deserves the credit it needs.

View attachment 1715860700

View attachment 1715860701
Click to expand...
So is the young kid in the camo you? If so, I'm impressed. Most kids nowadays are into them squatty trucks and imports and bullshit. Good for you.
 
Darter6 said:
6,500 rpm out of a stock 2 bbl, cast exhaust manifolds 318. Amazing !
Better hang on to that one !
Click to expand...
Still got 'er running in the truck. I will be swapping her out for a 360 though this summer BUT for a good reason. More torque for 4 wheel drive and to tow around the Toyota mini truck that Im swapping the 318 into! 7,500 solid flat tappet tunnel ram 318 is the plan. The mini truck only weighs 2,100 pounds according to forums so that's an easy 11 second vehicle
 
RustyRatRod said:
So is the young kid in the camo you? If so, I'm impressed. Most kids nowadays are into them squatty trucks and imports and bullshit. Good for you.
Click to expand...
No sir I am behind the camera because I thought it was funny how everyone was saying he was a BS'er about having an aftermarket bigger turbo in there. This however is me with both this truck and the following picture is me working on my first build, a 360 that went into my childhood 83 D150 that I learned how to drive and drive manual in at 5, took out the old slant 6 in favor of a 360 :thumbsup:

20210506_173637.jpg


received_436150064245132.jpeg
 
gagembassett said:
No sir I am behind the camera because I thought it was funny how everyone was saying he was a BS'er about having an aftermarket bigger turbo in there. This however is me with both this truck and the following picture is me working on my first build, a 360 that went into my childhood 83 D150 that I learned how to drive and drive manual in at 5, took out the old slant 6 in favor of a 360 :thumbsup:

View attachment 1715860902

View attachment 1715860903
Click to expand...
Still a kid that I'm glad to see is into old Mopars. Cool!
 
I have ESP. I WILL read your mind! In post 14, at 10:49 PM I spoke of what member 413 would say shortly after 11 pm in post 15. Don't be afraid of me..... :D
 
I deleted my first post as I didn’t want to rain on the 318 parade. But since it was quoted I put it back up. Yes they are good, but “phenomenal” might be a stretch.

glad to see a young gun in the old mopars! Carry on.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top