MOVO318

I am back, after a long rebuild, I am here to share the picture of my progress...

The Car: 1982 Volvo Wagon, Now I know its a bit out of place here, I came to this site for info on my 318, but I thought I would go ahead and share this project I am working on, so hold on to your underpants, and enjoy this ugly, monstrous machine I have created...

The Engine: A Chrysler 318 LA roller motor, from somewhere in the mid to late 80's.

I figured it would be a fun project, but as I have learned along the way, Mopar stuff is not cheap...

For the sake of keeping this post somewhat short, and organized, I will be posting the links to the photos.

This is what I had to start with engine wise. She was pretty nasty, but had really low miles (My guess was the miles had to be at lest under 40k). Someone had used stop leak on the engine at some point, so I had to blow all that out with a power washer, I would have had it boiled, but I was doing this all on a shoe string budget. Stock manifolds were pretty much useless, one had a hole the size of a penny near the flange. I never knew what the 318 was out of, It was bought at a junk yard for $200, no questions asked. After cleaning I found out the heads were cast #302 their better flow heads (Or what ever its called). Talked to a Mopar guy about it, he sounded really interested about it being a roller motor for some reason, I mean its just a 318 in the end.

http://imgur.com/RHCTWOF
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Here is the engine after the rebuild, and paint. Sorry I didn't snap any pictures during the rebuild. I mean really, why is all Mopar related stuff so damned expensive? Took me a while to find a cam plug that fit it too.

http://imgur.com/iIjYd8W
http://imgur.com/VoJQLrU

In order to get the engine sitting down inside the car, I had to do some "Resizing" to the oil pan. Had to cut two inches off the bottom and re-weld a flat base, also relocated the drain plug to the back.

http://imgur.com/I7dXD3R
http://imgur.com/qsQ9jnx
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Now for the car, try not to puke Mopar guys! Not much to do here really, minimal rust, hardly any dents, good glass, good interior, all around solid car. I'm just going to do some block sanding, a bit of body work on the little rust & dents that are there, and paint it olive green.

http://imgur.com/wrwGVgw
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This probably the first Volvo posted here isn't it?

Mr.4spd

A factory LA roller motor is pretty interesting, I don't think they exist. I believe you may have a Magnum or someone else's beginnings here. Anyway, neat project.

Coronet 500

No puking here, I think it's great, and a wagon...BONUS.

I've been a Mopar guy always and the cost has always been high do to high aftermarket sales volume of Chevrolet and Ford. We have always been number three in that regard.

The thing about successful Chrysler racers is that they have had to be resourceful and good fabricators as the store bought stuff, not only was costly but limited. I think that is what drew me to it and many Mopar guys are different or unique which makes us loyal and a tight group.

I asked on your other thread about cam specs.

That shallow oil pan has me a little concerned, they weren't great without baffles or a windage tray, so be careful.

A Volvo with that V8 sound, wicked cool!

Coronet 500

To answer 4spd, the pre Magnum years were weird because the transition period from LA had some blocks with flatties and roller spider bosses cast in. Then some had rollers with LA heads like MOVO, then you can find Magnum blocks with cast in LA head oiling passages, some drilled some not.

The one MOVO has is desirable 'cause it can be flat, roller, LA or Magnum head easily.

Just thought, MOVO , did you check your cam for #2 and #4 journal DRILLED for HEAD OILING?

MOVO318

Yes I did, and if I can recall right, they were there.

Oh, I forgot to mention, The Volvo came stock with what is pretty much an over built Dana 30. 3.73-1 ratio. So there is that.

pro-tech

It is a lot to take in, but as long as you think you can get it done what right does anyone have saying anything negative about it?... I also am concerned about enough oil with the oil pan reduction. I hope it doesn't starve for oil... What did you do about the pickup/sump??? I for one hate the look of Volvo's but its not my car and just think of the Fast and Furious fart can piece of **** that pulls up next to you and gets smoked by a Volvo or so he thinks...LMAO...Nice project!!!!...Bill

MOVO318

I'm not so worried about oil. I have made my own pickup re-routed to the back of the pan, hugging the bottom, In terms of oil, I have only cut maybe a half quart out of the pan. I ran the engine like this before on my old pan that had a little bit more cut out. When rebuilding I found a way to get away with a bit less by raising the engine mounts up a half inch. I'm not much for Volvo's either, but this one has started to grow on me, it makes the perfect sleeper!