okay heres what I am thinking I have a ramcharger im going to build into a horse. I have several 360s and was thinking of just rebuilding one with a higher compression piston and adding my 1969 x heads along with a rv cam. I cant help but think im better off just to get a muscle motors stroker kit for what im going to have in that build. But this is going to be a snowplow vehicle and a daily driver so I need so so milage and reliability. Im also adding 3/4 ton front and rear springs and axles. Any thoughts?

 

The absolute last thing you want for low RPM torque, grunt and in a big heavy rig like yours is "high compression," especially with today's gas

The only exception would be a "race" or mud vehicle where you have it geared to the nuts so the engine can scream. But for a street rig where you also need to get some highway cruise once in awhile, stay with the factory pistons and heads.

A so called "RV" cam may not work much better than what's in there. Years ago a friend had a 74 Dodge 4x4 shortie 1/2 ton which he used to pull his Jeep. We put a 69 340 cam in it and it worked great. Later we put a 440 in the truck and we put a 68-70 or so RR/ Superbee cam in it and THAT worked great. You would not have wanted much more cam in that truck.

I don't recall the gear, but with big tires it was geared pretty high.

 

I would start the build with a Magnum 360 !

 

I feel that an RV/Truck/Tow/4x4 cam (all low RPM power building cams) are great assuming you have everything else to get the most out of them. Intake, shorty headers, a well prepped block with good flowing heads and a stall convertor of ~1500-1800 RPM will really wake up that motor.

I agree with 440roadrunner about not going with the high compression, I feel that will just hurt you in the long run. Keep the factory pistons.

Are you planning on regearing the axles? What is in them right now? Are you going with an automatic? What t-case will be behind it?

 

everything is stock out of a 77 3/4 ton except the tranny, it has been rebuilt for plowing snow it had a different tourqe converter put in. Id like to have 350hp pushing this thing. any affordable ideas for the stock 360?

 

350HP at the flywheel or wheels? With wanting to plow, I'd be more focused on building torque than HP. Don't get me wrong, HP is important, but its the torque that's going make it easier to plow.

Now I'm no engine builder but I believe that you will have to up the compression ratio to probably 9.5:1-10:1 to help create that kind of power. You might have to bore out the cylinders too. You'll be looking at a more mild cam than an RV cam too. The heads will need some work too to help with the flow or you could swap over to a set of Magnum heads. There is some work there too but I've heard they flow great.

 

My ten cents for what it's worth:

Reuse the stock crank and rods. Hang a cast flat top piston on there and get the cr to 9:1. Use an RPM manifold and a 650 carb, a 1.75 header and cam it 204/208 w/stock stall. Use 208/214 if you add some stall. 2200RPM or so, something tight that doesnt flash instantly with light inputs. Keep lift at .480/.480 ish.... on at least 110LSA install at 106. Blend the bowls and clean up the heads. Match the springs to the cam.

Becareful on your machining and head costs. They add up. A stock mag block and heads usually runs under 300-500 bucks from the bone yard and nets you a better head, 9:1 comp, and roller cam. And the whole assembly is much lighter. Add a aftermarket cam and rpm intake and 350 hp and 400 ft pounds are easy to do. Plus that can be made with a small stick due to better heads, lighter valve train and assembly.

Granted a used motor may still need work but it depends on what is more important? If its the budget use the LA. That will work VERY well as a truck motor. But if the goal is more important use the magnum.