POWERWAGON73

Hi I recently rebuilt a SB 318 and was wondering if anyone could give me some input on it. The engine is in a 73 dodge powerwagon. It is a 4x4 with a 727 and 4.10 gears. Basically what Im trying to do is get as much power and torque out of it and still have the high revving engine a 318 is known for. I know I know why not build a 360, will its the original and if i wanted something else I would have went with a 340, 383, 440 or 426. I just wanted the original engine and I like 318s. What I have done to the Engine so far is. Bore the block 30 over, flat top pistons, stock crank, H beam rods, high volume pump, double roller timing chain. The camshaft is a hyd. comp cam extreme energy 274 0.488 intake lift, 0.491 exhaust list. The heads are edelbrock performer 2.02, gold roller rockers, headers and dual 2 1/2 exhaust. It has a eldebrock perforer intake and 600cc carb. Also has a 2500 stall torque converter and msd ignition. As of right now the engine runs poorly, falls on its face on take off and the exhaust seems extremly loud. Would switching out the pistons with zero deck and or putting different heads on it be worth it. Maybe one of you have a better option. Thanks for any help

78D200

Welcome!

• When does it "fall on it's face"?
• What are you running for mufflers?
• Have you looked for any exhaust leaks?
• What headers did you go with?
• Before installing them, did you make sure that they were flat and the surfaces were all on the same plane?
• What size tires are you running?
• Did you do any other work to the transmission?
• Is the kick down linkage properly set-up (might have to wait to do this til after you get the motor running properly.)?
• Did you break in the motor yet?
• Do you have any pictures? (We love picture!)

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1966sportfury

cam installed correctly? the cam is a bit big. if your running huge tires, the stall converter is kinda low for a heavy truck with tha cam. i bet you flashing around 1300 rpm?

MReeves

Welcome to the forum.....

BullyDogJason

welcome to the site

Buffalojoe426

Welcome to the forum!

challenger

welcome , is your carb set up properly and when you say falls on its face is it when you first take off as 1966 says your stall might not be right for take off and timing might be wrong and did you use a degree wheel when you set up the cam

POWERWAGON73

Thanks everyone for the replys. I am new to the engine building but get the idea that it all needs to work together. What I mean by falls on it face is that it doesnt matter how slow or fast you push on the gas it just doesnt move fast and the harder you push the louder it gets but doesn't move much faster. Once it gets rolling seems to do a little better but I haven't takin it on the road so dont know how it will handle at highway speeds. Im assuming the 38 inch tires and the 2' 2.5 glass packs are both part to blame.Thinking of putting flowmasters on it, is this a good idea. Is there a better muffler? I have not used a degree wheel. Would this help much? The torque convertor is the one the cam card said to get when I bought the cam. Did not realize tires made a difference. I thought that it was just for the cam. I have no exhaust leaks. !966 you said the cam might be to big. I didnt think it was that big. Im I wrong. Also what do you mean by flashing? Thanks agian everyone

78D200

318/727 with 4.10 gears pushing a large truck on 38s..... not a good combo.

Either down size to 35s and keep the 4.10 gears or keep the 38s and upgrade to 4.56 gears. With 38s and 4.10 gears, you need a real healthy V8 producing some good power. Also a limited slip/sure grip/posi in the rear axle will help to get traction to the ground which will help to get the vehicle moving.

Do not go with flowmaster as thier muffles do not flow worth a turd. 2.5" Hooker Maximum Flow Mufflers actually flow just as good as a 2.5" straight pipe, ~520cfm. Flowmaster flowed ~250-275cfm.

You need to get a timing gun and make sure that your timing is exactly where it needs to be. From there, adjust the carb according the booklet (I've setup a few Edelbrock carbs and the booklet helps). Once you get that done, and do something about the tire size or the gear ratio, we can figure out what else is going on..... thats just my opinion though.