OK here we go, I happen to have acess to a private mopar junk yark (dads). There is lots of good rebuildable engines. 318,340,360, and big blocks but im not going big yet. What id like to do is build a strong small block either a 318 or 360. 340s are off limits unless I have a sleave put in. So short of spending lots of I dont have is there any secrets as in combineing different parts off different years? I'm building a 4x4 engine is the goal. Well any ideas would be great.

 

I would start with a steel crank 340 and some J heads

 

Man... I whole junk yard to pick from. Thats cool!

What 4x4 is it going to go in? Specifically weight wise and how will it be fed?

And are you going to machine some stuff or is this gonna all be re ring and new bearing type rebuilds?

 

"how to build a wicked small block with used parts" aint.... whats the budget if any? Not much ya can mix and match unless a couple three have been previously 'warmed' up... M2C... re ring a 318 and add..... til ya over pill it then back off 1 size...

 

yes I was hopeing to get by with simple rebuilds. I just dont know what if any factory heads or other parts were better from certain years. The engine will be going in either a 1977 trailDuster or a 1986 3/4 ton. Im going 318 or 360 I have plenty of them to play with.

 

Of those motors the mag heads flow the best AND have a very light 8mm valve train.

But the heads are prone to cracking. I have set I just pulled with 80 K and they are fine. So its hit or miss. Your Dad could show you how to magna flux them. If you dont want that route then the J heads for sure.

The best ( thickest area for machining ) is the LA Block if you want the 360 CI.

The mag rotating assembly is lightest and internally balanced in the 318.

I wouldnt over look the 318. Especially if you are doing a small 4x4 or jeep crawler.

We really need to know what your intentions are? What u building? Tow rig, crawler, parts chaser, plow truck, etc.. ?

 

well i am seriously thinking of a topless trailduster just for fun ontop good mudders. its a manual tranny.

 

Grab a magnum 360. Pull the mains and check them. If under 100k miles bore should be fine.

Leave the stock cam and rocker set up.

Pull the heads and get them magna fluxed. Short money and worth it based on their track record. Then use Fel Pro Severe Duty head gasket with new head bolts.

You can use any 360 intake you can find in the yard but you have to fill the bolt hole and redrill because the LA intakes have an angled bolt while the magnum are vertical.

Add a dizzy and E fuel pump on a toggle so you can kill it at the drivers seat. You need a new valve spring. See if your dad has any old GM3100 series v6 engines there. The valve springs will fit. And have enough pressure to let you run to 5000rpm. Use retainer from a 2.2 Liter mopar ( they are probably plentiful in the yard) with your current lock.

Change the timing chain. It is past service at 100k.

LA headers bolt up.

 

Thanks for the info! But no v-6s here all v8s or slant 6s. Im sure I could get parts else where.

 

Springs and retainers are short money. The GM3100v6 springs Dodge 2.2L retainers are only mildly better than stock. But would work if you were doing a bone yard "only" parts project.