info requested re: 361ci dodge engine
03-09-2009, 08:56 PM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
info requested re: 361ci dodge engine
I am new to MOpars; just bought my first: 1970 Dart 318 auto.
My question is regarding an engine I just aquired. It is a 361ci that came out of a 63 dodge ( I beleive). It has been stored inside the shop for about the last 25 years. Back then I got to hear it run; we were going to put it into a sand rail, but it never happened.
Just wandering, is it possible that the engine is worth the effort of getting running again? Was the 361 ever a good engine? The previous owner was sure proud of it. It ran very good when we had it on the bench 25 years ago. Has a 4bbl carb and headers.
If it was to be considered a decent engine, would it be worth while to put it into my Dart? Too much work? Stick with the 318?
Your thoughts, please!
PS If I posted in the wrong area of the board, please advise!
My question is regarding an engine I just aquired. It is a 361ci that came out of a 63 dodge ( I beleive). It has been stored inside the shop for about the last 25 years. Back then I got to hear it run; we were going to put it into a sand rail, but it never happened.
Just wandering, is it possible that the engine is worth the effort of getting running again? Was the 361 ever a good engine? The previous owner was sure proud of it. It ran very good when we had it on the bench 25 years ago. Has a 4bbl carb and headers.
If it was to be considered a decent engine, would it be worth while to put it into my Dart? Too much work? Stick with the 318?
Your thoughts, please!
PS If I posted in the wrong area of the board, please advise!
03-09-2009, 10:42 PM
#2
Mopar Lover
I am new to MOpars; just bought my first: 1970 Dart 318 auto.
My question is regarding an engine I just aquired. It is a 361ci that came out of a 63 dodge ( I beleive). It has been stored inside the shop for about the last 25 years. Back then I got to hear it run; we were going to put it into a sand rail, but it never happened.
My question is regarding an engine I just aquired. It is a 361ci that came out of a 63 dodge ( I beleive). It has been stored inside the shop for about the last 25 years. Back then I got to hear it run; we were going to put it into a sand rail, but it never happened.
How to you plan to use the dart? Show? Cruiser? Drag car?
Last edited by 78D200; 03-10-2009 at 03:20 AM.
03-10-2009, 03:24 AM
#3
Admin
Welcome to the forum Big.
There are parts out tehre for the 361s but they are going to be like all mopar parts are, hard to find and costly. If it still runs and is in good shape (just needs to be cleaned up and new seals) then I would say its worth it.
I would tear it down and see what it really needs to get it running again. If you start to make a list of parts it needs, then your going to have to weight that and the time and machine work (if needed) against keeping the 318 or swapping it for another motor.
If its not worth it, I would look for a more coomon motor. Like moparguy asked, what is your intent with the Dart?
There are parts out tehre for the 361s but they are going to be like all mopar parts are, hard to find and costly. If it still runs and is in good shape (just needs to be cleaned up and new seals) then I would say its worth it.
I would tear it down and see what it really needs to get it running again. If you start to make a list of parts it needs, then your going to have to weight that and the time and machine work (if needed) against keeping the 318 or swapping it for another motor.
If its not worth it, I would look for a more coomon motor. Like moparguy asked, what is your intent with the Dart?
03-10-2009, 09:26 AM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Thanks for the tips and suggestions...
As far as my plans for the Dart, I just plan on using it as a fun cruiser - which it already is, just needs a little restoration. I don't have any huge plans for it yet.
As far as the 361 engine, here is the good part. I have a Cross Ram / Ram induction w/dual 4 BBL carbs for it. Currently this set-up is not on the engine, but our plan was to install it on the sand rail project (25 years ago)
I am not a mechanic, and have limited knowledge in this area. Took High School Mechanics course 30 years ago. I think I am already in over my head with this project. Likely will keep the 318 for now, maybe swap for another 'later model' engine at some other time in the future. The 318 runs great. Has a Holly 4bbl and mild cam, thanks to previous owner. I plan on headers and 2 1/2" exhaust later.
I know that the intake set up that I have is sort of hard to come by, and is used by some 'old skool' drag racers. Can anybody tell me if it will work on any other engines?
Tim & Heather, I was unaware that Mopar parts are hard to come by (and expensive). Is that general statement true of all Mopar engines? TheMoparGuy pointed out that the 383 is easier to find pistons for. Will that engine (big block, I assume) 'bolt up" in my Dart? Currently it has a 318 small block, but it does have an 8 3/4" rear end.
Thanks alot; sorry for all the questions!
As far as my plans for the Dart, I just plan on using it as a fun cruiser - which it already is, just needs a little restoration. I don't have any huge plans for it yet.
As far as the 361 engine, here is the good part. I have a Cross Ram / Ram induction w/dual 4 BBL carbs for it. Currently this set-up is not on the engine, but our plan was to install it on the sand rail project (25 years ago)
I am not a mechanic, and have limited knowledge in this area. Took High School Mechanics course 30 years ago. I think I am already in over my head with this project. Likely will keep the 318 for now, maybe swap for another 'later model' engine at some other time in the future. The 318 runs great. Has a Holly 4bbl and mild cam, thanks to previous owner. I plan on headers and 2 1/2" exhaust later.
I know that the intake set up that I have is sort of hard to come by, and is used by some 'old skool' drag racers. Can anybody tell me if it will work on any other engines?
Tim & Heather, I was unaware that Mopar parts are hard to come by (and expensive). Is that general statement true of all Mopar engines? TheMoparGuy pointed out that the 383 is easier to find pistons for. Will that engine (big block, I assume) 'bolt up" in my Dart? Currently it has a 318 small block, but it does have an 8 3/4" rear end.
Thanks alot; sorry for all the questions!
03-10-2009, 11:26 AM
#6
Admin
A mopar BB will not bolt up to a mopar SB tranny. They are different bolt patterns and size.
What I meant was that parts for that 361 are going to be harder to find than parts for a 383. There are less parts out there for mopars when compared to c$*@y and F!&d. Plus I have noticed that most of the time, mopar parts cost more than the other two.
Since you already have a cam and carb and want to do headers and exhaust, I would throw on an intake (if you have just a factory intake now) and call it a day. You want the car to be a fun cruiser and that 318 will be just right for it. If you want more fun, then look for a 340 and build that up.
What I meant was that parts for that 361 are going to be harder to find than parts for a 383. There are less parts out there for mopars when compared to c$*@y and F!&d. Plus I have noticed that most of the time, mopar parts cost more than the other two.
Since you already have a cam and carb and want to do headers and exhaust, I would throw on an intake (if you have just a factory intake now) and call it a day. You want the car to be a fun cruiser and that 318 will be just right for it. If you want more fun, then look for a 340 and build that up.
05-02-2009, 07:23 AM
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Cheaper than finding pistons or having custom ones made.
Supposedly most of the parts of the BB 350/361 are compatible with the 383. I have seen the 361 crank at 3.375" vs 3.38" so best check that and bearing compatibility as well as oversized/undersized bearings.
You can use a cast/forged 440 crank, have the mains cut to 361/383/400 size, run a set of 440 length aftermarket rods with .990 Chevy pins and the correct pistons to get a stroker motor about 450ci. You'd have to bore the 361 out .125" to get to 383 pistons.
Block Bore Stroke CID Block Bore Stroke CID
Low Block High Block
4.06" 3.38" 350 4.18" 3.75" 413
4.12" 3.38" 361 4.25" 3.75" 426
4.25" 3.38" 383 4.32" 3.75" 440
4.34" 3.38" 400 4.03" 3.75" 383
1960 Dodge V8s D500 (1) D500 (2) Ram-Fire Red Ram Super
Red Ram Truck
Cubic Inches 361 383 383 318 361 318
Bore x Stroke 4.12 x 3.38 4.25 x 3.38 4.25 x 3.38 3.91 x 3.31 4.12 x 3.38 3.91 x 3.31
Compression 10:1 9:1 10:1 9:1 10:1 8.25:1
Carburetor Dual 4-barrel 4-barrel 2-barrel 2-barrel 2-barrel
Gross hp
310 @ 4,800 330 @ 4,800 325 @ 4,600 230 @ 4,400 295 @ 4,600 200@ 3,900
Max torque
435 @ 2,800 460 @ 2,800 425 @ 2,800 340 @ 2,400 390 @ 2,400 286 @ 2,400
Supposedly most of the parts of the BB 350/361 are compatible with the 383. I have seen the 361 crank at 3.375" vs 3.38" so best check that and bearing compatibility as well as oversized/undersized bearings.
You can use a cast/forged 440 crank, have the mains cut to 361/383/400 size, run a set of 440 length aftermarket rods with .990 Chevy pins and the correct pistons to get a stroker motor about 450ci. You'd have to bore the 361 out .125" to get to 383 pistons.
Block Bore Stroke CID Block Bore Stroke CID
Low Block High Block
4.06" 3.38" 350 4.18" 3.75" 413
4.12" 3.38" 361 4.25" 3.75" 426
4.25" 3.38" 383 4.32" 3.75" 440
4.34" 3.38" 400 4.03" 3.75" 383
1960 Dodge V8s D500 (1) D500 (2) Ram-Fire Red Ram Super
Red Ram Truck
Cubic Inches 361 383 383 318 361 318
Bore x Stroke 4.12 x 3.38 4.25 x 3.38 4.25 x 3.38 3.91 x 3.31 4.12 x 3.38 3.91 x 3.31
Compression 10:1 9:1 10:1 9:1 10:1 8.25:1
Carburetor Dual 4-barrel 4-barrel 2-barrel 2-barrel 2-barrel
Gross hp
310 @ 4,800 330 @ 4,800 325 @ 4,600 230 @ 4,400 295 @ 4,600 200@ 3,900
Max torque
435 @ 2,800 460 @ 2,800 425 @ 2,800 340 @ 2,400 390 @ 2,400 286 @ 2,400
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