Roxanne Gstad

I have a 64 Dodge 330 with the original 318 engine in it. It runs fine but my brother thinks I should either rebuild it so it will run better and have new parts, or I should put a 383 that we have in it. The 383 just needs a few things, not too much. BUT, I also want to add a roller cam to either of the engines I pick. What would be the cheapest and less time-consuming??

Gorts 5th

the 318 would be cheaper if you go to the big block you will have to change the trany and or the bell housing on your manual depending what you got.
a lot of good cams out there for both, for your roller cam you will need retro lifters and probably new valve springs retainers maybe rockers it depends on the roller hydraulic or solid if possible get the cam kit you'll get matched set .

Roxanne Gstad

That is very true, and yeah I was thinking about just buying the whole cam kit. Thank you!

TVLynn

Don't let your brother talk you into doing it unless you want to.
If so I would do the 383 but that involves added expenses of trans, Shifter ? , radiator, motor mounts. That's just a personal preference.. NO down time when you swap.. I would bet you would also have to get a custom cam if you want a roller. If the motor is original it is a wide block 318 NOT an LA 318 motor. Make sure you get the correct parts

Roxanne Gstad

It's not a manual so no shifter needed, but I don't want to have to buy a new tranny. And thank you for that info, I probably would've ended up buying the wrong parts!

TVLynn

By shifter I meant for an auto ! The 64 has a cable operated shifter. the later one has a linkage setup. IF you can find one ? They are out there but you need to look..

Roxanne Gstad

OHHH ok, yeah I feel dumb. I'm glad my brother's doing this and not me...I'll look into it and see what I can find

Clyne_duster72

Go with the 318, and just build that up. Moparmuscle did a 318 build that pushed over 400 hp. If you build the 318 properly you can see equal result from the 383. If you want you can even buy a stroker kit for the 318 for around 1,200 bucks, includes pistons, rods, crank, bearings.

Roller cams are cool but can be a pain when installing and balancing, new rockers and spring retainers are required. But I assume you can buy it as a kit.

Roxanne Gstad

Yeah I'm gonna buy it as a kit and just go with the 318. Thank you!

Chryco Psycho

Hold on , I bet you have the 318 Poly in 64 Not the LA block , I highly doubt there is a roller cam kit for the Poly 318 , ,most of the rest of the parts are available but not easily or cheap , the 383 / 727 is probably an easier swap , this will eliminate the weak ball & trunion joint in the driveshaft as well

Roxanne Gstad

Yes I do actually have the Poly block, so what about a thumper cam instead?

Chryco Psycho

IS there a Thumper for the Poly ? the valve arrangement is different between poly & LA

Roxanne Gstad

Hmm idk, I'm looking now but nothing is specific as to whether or not it's for poly

Roxanne Gstad

Well I found a thumpr cam kit that'll work with the poly, but I'll probably have to get different valve springs to accomodate it

http://www.ebay.com/itm/COMP-318-340...4a9d86&vxp=mtr

TVLynn

I would call Comp cams and make sure it will fit !!! I don't think so !!

If you really want a roller cam ? Think about picking up a late model Magnum 318 & just freshen it up and then swap motors
There is a
318 wide block
318 LA
318 Magnum

Chryco Psycho

Definatly not for a POLY if it lists 318/340/360
the 340/360 are LA series
I would not use a Comp cam in a Mopar either but that is just me , their cams are deisgned for short rod / short stroke chevs .

Gorts 5th

wow that's a big statement. i want to know more?
Most cam grinds are close in spec. only a few take full advantage of the larger lifter bores on the mopar "voodoo cams" being one, and compare that to one of the similar M.P cams, so new technology comes and goes with new cam profiles, but the rest of the valve-train has its own unique ratios chevy vs mopar. My cam i'm using now from comp has some differences on the intake side of the grind compared the same chevy grind apparently because of the differences in the two motors.

When it comes to actual engine geometry. lets talk more about this we should start a thread on the geometry of the mopar motors, vs chevy, and ford, and there theories of design this would be a good discussion and a lot of good usefull info would be learned.

Roxanne Gstad

Ok I think y'all may be confused...forget the 383, I'm going to rebuild the 318. I'll talk to comp cams and see what they say, but what about the voodoo lunati cam?

Chryco Psycho

Not confused I realize you are building the 318 ...maybe ,
I just checked the Lunati catalog , they list no Cams for the Poly 318 in any series Lunati VooDoo or otherwise .

Chryco Psycho

I would post a whole theory on why I don't use Comp but that is not the purpose of this thread Tech talk maybe ?

Moparben

You can without too much muss or fuss get 270 to 300 horsepower out of the 318 and will not have to mess with drive line or other mods. You betcha the 318 is the way to go, plus it remains stock for the most part. I would save all of the original parts as they can come in handy later.

Gorts 5th

sound's good to me i'm curious about the right grind cam for the LA, besides the mopar performance cams what's better?
also since the 318 is a short stroke and the rod's aren't to long what's the diffidence in the two motors chevy-mopar.

Chryco Psycho

I was going to send you alink where I have this all posted already but I cannot send you a PM .
The Root of Roxannes problem here is we are not discussing the same engine , the 318 Poly & the the 318 have nothing in common & so far I have not found a listing for a Poly cam for her engine in Lunati Engle or Comp

MrOldart2U

AND I dont think she really understands what all the "fuss" between the 2 are about either. NOT that she cant learn it but is clueless at this point.

Roxanne I AM NOT throwing rocks at you either. The "Poly" 318 engine is a completely DIFFERENT engine (architectural and design), that the 'other' "LA" 318. The only thing thats the same is the cubic inch displacement.

We will help you either way, and or sort out WHICH engine you DO have for certain.

Gorts 5th

[QUOTE=Chryco Psycho;95339]I was going to send you alink where I have this all posted already but I cannot send you a PM .
That's strange should work, iv'e got no one blocked.
i will check my setting's,
i received a email from e-bodies only that's not from you is it?

Chryco Psycho

[QUOTE=Gorts 5th;95370] I am on the E bodys only forum too but I could send an email from there !!

Gorts 5th

[QUOTE=Chryco Psycho;95384]thank you for the link that is good info! i recommend everyone too check it out.
you should post the link.

jacilynn_s

for one thing none of the earlier engines were stamped with a serial number so why not just get a good running 318 from another car and put it in. Cheaper overall and a lot less of a headache.

Push button automatics or, horror, column shift cable transmissions are best left in the car. The adjustments for the cables (parking) and shifter are a horror to do if you have never done them before. Leave the transmission in place and change the engine.

Skwerly

Of course, I don’t know the entire situation, and building an engine can be a heck of a lot of fun, does it *really* need a rebuild if it runs fine? Maybe just slap on some aftermarket parts and give it a little thump until it actually fails.

bboogieart

Again: it's a poly 318 and there isn't much for speed parts. What you might find will be expensive.
To the O.P. you would be best to find a later 318 67 or newer and get one that runs good and throw it in. Cheapest and easiest way to go.
That Poly is a good motor, it's just that there is very little support for them.