Hello, I've been reading a few forums on 318 engines. I feel I need more guidance in what I want to do with my family owned mint condition 76 Dodge Power wagon. What I think will produce a good solid build with power in reserve for boat towing occasional mud running and 4 wheeling.
Top-end: Q-jet carb, Weiand Stealth Intake Manifold and stock heads with 1.78 and the bigger 1.60 exhaust valves /w bowel work/ back cut gasket port match should be minimal since the intake is Port Size to 318 from what I can see. Also, Factory Valve train. CAM, this was a tricky pick for me. When considering Dynamic Compression I find the Voodoo Hyd Cam 256/262 .454/.475 lift adv numbers had the best return for Effective stroke and power band. With that slight lope we all love so much. True Dual, exhaust Manifolds 2.25 pipes and thrush turbo mufflers.
Bottom-end: Stock Crank, rods, and pistons Keith Black 167 at .030 over. All balanced/blueprinted/polished the assembly. With this combo/measurements I have come up with 9.4-1 Static compression and dynamic compression ratio is 8.78:1 also bring's to a 322 cubic inch engine. Truck has 4.88 gears 4 inch lift and 33 inch thornbirds. So open to suggestions is the engine over/under built and anyone seen these combos in work on the dyno what they might pump out. Open to any all suggestions. This is my first rebuild

 

I would use 360 con rods as the 318's are quite puny, 1.88 intake valves and a windage tray. Oil pan baffles and depth is always good.

 

Thank you for your post I went with 1.78 because I felt more port velocity would be better for the smaller bore, also a bit better fuel efficient which isn't my primary focus anyhow. But I will do some home work and see what the port volume should be for optimal performance. The choice of 360 rods is a good one for some reason I hadn't even thought of that. also a wind-age tray and baffled deep pan are very good Thanks

 

I found your post about cam quest6 from COMP. too cool been messing with it allot. Takes allot of the guess work out that's for sure I'm re working a few thing's. Anyone ever go for the stroker kits available. It's a tempting idea as well.

 

Our last 318 uses a Comp Cams XE256H, real smooth and alot of torque. Our next one we're doing is going to be turbocharged with alot of bottom end goodies. After that I want to do a 3.79" stroke 370 c.i. because I think the 4" stroke is too much for the 3.94" bore and can't get full use of 2.02" valves.
Have a look at this. http://www.campbellenterprises.com/m...crankshaft.php

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome to the forum..... As you can already tell there is a lot of good information here.... Also we have a Mopar of the Month contest that "rocks". Check out the simple rules in the sticky and then be sure to cast your vote and help pick the winner!!!!

 

welcome to the forum got any pics

 

welcome to the forum

 

Howdy all ! and thank you! I'm pleased to have found this forum been MOPAR all my life

I have seen allot of great info in here! I'll have to check out the contest. Also I've asked my dad to go over to my place and snap a few pic's. The truck is where I left it 11 years ago in my shop on blocks he said it's got cob webs from the ground all the way to the roof of the barn it's been so long. I stored it in there when I joined the Air Force. Anyhow he said he'll throw the wheels back on it and reconnect the battery and see if the "stable" in the fuel tank worked ...lol I doubt it but you never know with these old 318 there a real work horse. On a side note that stroke 3.790 looks to produce efficiently better numbers in HP department while the 4" seems to kill HP (still respectively high) but gobs of torque with both strokes with the right set up. Wonder if it would be a dog outa the hole with a fully ported all the fixens set of J heads ...I'm thinking no with the right stall. But what about pistons for the 3.790 stroke...

 

Where abouts in Oregon are you located?

 

Cave Junction, way down south. Are place can see the California border think I remember signs for Boring up near Portland area while we were on a hunting trip.

 

yup im in the se outskirts of portland. look me up if your ever in the neighborhood.

 

you bet ... well after much debate with my self looks like I'm going 360 in the old power wagon. It just makes more sense for my application. Also less more engine allot more..i love the 318 and will keep and rebuild the 318 but it will probably stay on the engine stand for awhile. Any suggestions on good casting numbers for 360 blocks-heads from what I can tell only thing that changes is external balancing of the engine and maybe mounts.