Need Advise with 318
 

I have a 1990 Dodge Ramcharger with a 318. It has over 120,000 miles and uses a quart of oil ever 1000 or so miles. I have another 318, from the late 70's I believe which I want to rebuild. I would hope to not spend too much on the rebuild, around $600 is what I had in mind.

My current motor has the TBI but with the block I want to build I plan to set up a carb. What is involved in converting a 90' computerized TBI setup over to an old school carb setup with basicly the same block and motor.

Also I would like to see a bit of a HP improvement, not sure what I have right now for hp, but you can't ever really have enough can you? :)
Keeping gas milage in mind, as well as likely using my 90' heads and exhaust manifolds, what is a decent rout to take. I figure after the machine work, and gasket set I should have around $200 for a cam or some other part(s). If I go carburated I think I can talk my dad out of a decent one, so intake should taken care of.

OR

Should I stay with my TBI and computer?

I'd like to learn more and build something that will be a step up from the worn out factory 318 that I have while not using several gallons of gas to go a few miles.

Thanks for the help.

THe heads will probably be worn out with cracked seals (common on these motors). It all depends on how much more power your looking at and what you go with for a cam/carb. Plus how strict your state is with emissions will play a huge role in how you go about doing this. Some states do not want you installing a carb on a TBI setup.

Check into the interchangability of the parts. IIRC, the 90s motors are magnum motors, and MIGHT not interchange with the LA series.

j

I did the same conversion on my '89 d250. Easy! Simply swap intakes and replace distributor with an earlier electronic ignition setup. Of course, some wiring will have to be done for the ignition, but it's not too bad. Mileage and performance will increase going to a carb. I used a 670 4bbl Holey.