So, I know a few guys with Mopar stuff collecting dust in their garages.. And I've been left with a tough decision, my parts/cylinder head guy has a machined, bored, complete 360 short block, the rotating assembly is in the block, he wants just what he has into it for labour..

In door number two is a 383, crank needs to be polished, comes with heads, bearings, rotating assembly, needs new pistons/rings, heads need work..

So, I started looking around, decent heads for the 360 will run me around $1000, figuring valve train, intake, carb, incidentals, I could probably do it for under $2500 (Not including purchase of short block..)

The 383 I'm left with too many variables, Could be the same, could be twice as much, now I don't see value in 23 more cubic inches, especially if the price point is unknown..

My goal is to have a streetable car, with a Keisler 5 speed that I can take for road trips if need be (IE Power Tour.)

Any suggestions?

More info : The car was originally a 400 2bbl with an automatic.

 

Go with what fits your engine budget for the build.....
I like both motors....

 

keisler is bankrupt

 

Either way you are going to spend alot of money...If you go with the small block the car is set up for the big block so you have to think about all that too...I love small blocks...Because when you smoke a big block with a small block you have bragging rights...Lol But if it is the other way around BB beats SB there really isnt any bragging rights..I guess because it is kinda expected...Bill

 

That explains why they haven't been replying to my emails!

Well.. Looks like a four speed is the only way...

I'm not looking to race it, but I can get decent power from a 360, and save on the weight compared to a big block..
I'm not too worried about switching from BB to SB, motor mounts, and front springs is about it, really..

 

I don't know what to tell you. Hell I put a 340 into a 70 RR way way WAAAAYYYY back in about '73, long before Al Gore invented the internet. I knew they put 318's into Belvedere / Satelites, so I reasoned that a 340 ought'a fit.

If the car is set up for a B engine, I'd be inclined to lean that way. I think the resale would be better if/ when it comes to that. On the other hand, that 340 turned out to be an absolutely GREAT combo in that '70. Ma should have developed SB B bodies sooner, because they would have been direct competition for 350 Chevelles and other "mid --mid size" cars

My old girl and BOY do I wish I had one like it now. First is nearly new, the original owner, a good friend of mine, George, who has just trophied in pure stock at Lions I think. Second is skinny little myself "back then" about 71 or so. Old photo directly after the 340 got swapped in. I was so broke after that I had to wait several months to dress it up a little. Last the old girl about 73 or 4.

The car had been hit behind by some youngster in a Datsun, and repainted. We left the "Dust Trails" off. Those are 4537 landing lights down there where the turn signals belong. The amber ones up in the grill were off some Chrysler.

This was originally a 440-6, 4 speed, Dana 3.54, with "add on" AC

 

I like the 360 idea. I would look into details of piston type and deck height for compression calculations for camshaft selection and possible larger HP if wanted.

I was a big block guy but went small quite a few years ago and glad I did for various reasons. Lately I here alot of the big block guys complaining of fuel mileage just to get to the track or a show and are refitting for economy.

You could be driving with 350-400 reliable horsepower from the 360, anymore needed then go big or crazy stroker.

 

Tran......TKO600 or a A883

TKO...
http://www.tremec.com/menu.php?m=103

 

Hurst drivelines makes a nice kit, after a few minutes of research, this looks like the way I'm going instead, haha, comes with the same pieces the Keisler did, for a little less money.

And a nicer shifter..

http://www.hurst-drivelines.com/