Hi,
Was there any difference in the 318 engine used in say a Challenger as opposed to one used in a pickup?


Marty

 

chrysler did have a 318 version in heavy duty trucks. the exact years i dont know. i dont know all the differences. one is the heads. it listed as a 318 - III. the heads had diff ext manifold. and iam sure the compression ratio was lower. the distributor curve might be diff. thats all i know for sure. may be water pump or the in side of the pump. my idea is they was trying to control heat. ill bet racer hog knows more than i do.

 

They are basically the same, block, crank, rods, pistons and heads, some will have slightly different cams.

The major differences would be with oil pan exhaust manifolds to fit in the different type vehicles.

Like any model it will have it's own tune, carb and ignition timing. No hidden years with forged pistons or anything like that.

It you were to take either and hot rod with cam, manifold, carb, ignition and headers you'd end up with about exactly the same engine.

 

Thanks for the info. I'm planning on putting a 318 in my newly acquired 55 Powerwagon. It's a one ton so I want a motor that can handle the load.


Marty

 

There was a "heavy duty" motorhome "heavy truck" motor. If you are doing some TRULY heavy hauling you might want to look into it. I don't know how "late" they used this sort of thing Some of those engines used "Ford" 18mm plugs IE different heads, and may have used rotators on the valves, 'etc'

 

The biggest differences you’ll see isn’t necessarily car to truck, it’s years. the ’68 318, for instance, was rated at a healthy 230hp and 340 foot pounds of torque. Once you get into the seventies, though, those numbers go waaaay down.

Also, keep in mind that before ’67, the 318 was a totally different beast (called the poly or wide 318), and parts don’t interchange to the LA version.

The biggest thing, by FAR, on a 318, as far as performance goes, are the heads. Do a little head work and you’ll have a thumper.

 

Please don't promote the "wide block" name 318, which is totally inappropriate. Yes, I realize, "everybody" calls them that, but they are NOT a "wide" block. If you strip down a poly block and sit them side by side with an LA, you might have a tough time telling them apart, unless you know just what to look for

 

Thank you for the further info. I have a line on a 318 from a Challenger. I don't need smoking horsepower. Just about anything is better than the 94 hp from the 230 flathead that's in it...lol. Just a question of making it fit.


Marty

 

Oh yeah, I know, it annoys me, too, but I'm just covering bases in case someone called it that for him.

 

iam going to guess the 55 powerwagon has a 3.55 or 4.1 gear, so dont think you will get good MPG. OOPs the old man did it again. i looked up the specs. it has 4.89 or 5.83 gear. front and rear. load cap#3750 front........#6500 rear

 

Leem/Marty... You are so wrong !!!!!!!!!!
You need a rootin-tootin... MRL Performance Flame thrower in that truck... Like this one in the vid....

 

Yes, I am switching to the 4.89 gears, putting larger rims on and hooking up a cooler to the transfer case. Won't get blazing speed, but won't have to carry a lunch to go up hills...lol


Marty

 

hahaha...that is cool Bob.


Marty