318 Build suggestions

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C2ndLTpigeon

Mopar or no Car!
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I've been debating on building another 318 for my 73 valiant. My current setup is a 74 block STD bore, stock heads with a Hughes Whiplash 318 cam with an Eddy Airgap RPM intake topped with a performer 600CFM. Ignition is stock plugs with a Pertronix electronic distributor.
Transmission is a fresh rebuilt 904 with B&M shift kit stock converter. Rear end is fresh rebuilt 8 1/4 with open 3.55 gears.

Now don't get me wrong I love the idle of the whiplash cam, and it is defiantly a whole different engine since I changed out the 7 1/4 that had 2.76 gears to 3.55's.

My biggest regret was not doing some port work, or gasket matching the stock Iron heads to the eddy manifold. But i've also thought about aluminum heads but don't really need 2.02 valves since this car wont see 5000-6000 RPM, I still want this to be streetable with the occasional local weekend 1/8th mile.

Indy made their indy X heads which came with 1.92 intake valves and were newly casted heads, but after talking with them they are looking for a new vender to make them for them again so they don't for see them for 8-10 months.

Looking to see what people suggest for a good set of heads new? or doing work to stock heads? Also what about cam specs? any suggestions?

I wanted a 340 but after watching UTG's video the other day about the 318 I would really like to take my time and try to build a good performing 318, without breaking the bank on a stroker kit or spending tons of money on over priced 340's (as much as I would love to get my hands one one.)
 
I wouldn’t worry about 2.02 vs 1.92 valve, A set of speed master or similar will be fine.
 
Just searched speed master heads, have you had any experience with them? Are there a good quality head?
I like mine.... I took them apart and inspected them but really found nothing at all. You can go to my youtube channel and see my home inspection of SM heads, and the installation on my car. You can also find my home porting of 318 heads.
 
I like mine.... I took them apart and inspected them but really found nothing at all. You can go to my youtube channel and see my home inspection of SM heads, and the installation on my car. You can also find my home porting of 318 heads.

Did you put them on a stock compression 318? Did you have to do anything being that they are 65cc heads?

Well at this moment before you even replied to my comment Ive been watching your videos! talk bout coincidence.
I'm looking at the port work you did on stock iron heads.
 
Did you put them on a stock compression 318? Did you have to do anything being that they are 65cc heads?

Well at this moment before you even replied to my comment Ive been watching your videos! talk bout coincidence.
I'm looking at the port work you did on stock iron heads.
I put them on a 360, but you could put them on a 318. I wouldn't worry too much about 2.02 valves and notching the cylinders. I've not known anyone that had a problem and had to notch, but checking isn't a bad idea
 
I see in your video you are using them on a 360, What would need to be done to run the 65cc heads on a 318 lower end?
 
I see in your video you are using them on a 360, What would need to be done to run the 65cc heads on a 318 lower end?
I would put them on like they are... I bought mine for 730.00 fully loaded shipped to my door on Black Friday 1 yr ago
 
If you want good bang for the buck cylinder heads and some more performance. I would agree a set of speed masters should work just fine on your 318. The compression will be what it will be(likely 8.0:1 or less) you won't be able to change that very much without milling your heads or going with different pistons. Stock 318s generally have pistons way in the hole. My stock 1977 318 had pistons that were 0.102 in the hole and with 63 cc heads that put my compression at 7.8:1
 
If you want good bang for the buck cylinder heads and some more performance. I would agree a set of speed masters should work just fine on your 318. The compression will be what it will be(likely 8.0:1 or less) you won't be able to change that very much without milling your heads or going with different pistons. Stock 318s generally have pistons way in the hole. My stock 1977 318 had pistons that were 0.102 in the hole and with 63 cc heads that put my compression at 7.8:1

That was my other option. I don't mind changing pistons out to boost compression, I would also like to give it an over bore, maybe .030. Guess I have to look for piston options that will maybe boost compression around 9.5 or somewhere close to that. I would still like this to run on pump gas.
 
That was my other option. I don't mind changing pistons out to boost compression, I would also like to give it an over bore, maybe .030. Guess I have to look for piston options that will maybe boost compression around 9.5 or somewhere close to that. I would still like this to run on pump gas.
I believe KB167's are a popular one. Put that in the search box. There will be a hundred posts about them. DODGE Keith Black/KB Pistons KB167-030 Keith Black KB Performance Pistons | Summit Racing
 
Only bore what you need to, to clean up the cylinder. If you can get away with 0.010 then do so. Kb167’s are a zero deck flat top and that will increase your static compression. The thickness and bore of your head gasket and the chamber volume of the head is also a factor and needs to be considered. Kb399 is a domed piston. Both pistons are usually available in the overbore sizes. Rebalancing the crank may be necessary. Depends on the weight difference of the new pistons/pins versus the old. If you’re pulling that motor, put a 2500-2800 stall converter in. That will complement the combo as a whole
 
I've been debating on building another 318 for my 73 valiant. My current setup is a 74 block STD bore, stock heads with a Hughes Whiplash 318 cam with an Eddy Airgap RPM intake topped with a performer 600CFM. Ignition is stock plugs with a Pertronix electronic distributor.
Transmission is a fresh rebuilt 904 with B&M shift kit stock converter. Rear end is fresh rebuilt 8 1/4 with open 3.55 gears.

Now don't get me wrong I love the idle of the whiplash cam, and it is defiantly a whole different engine since I changed out the 7 1/4 that had 2.76 gears to 3.55's.

My biggest regret was not doing some port work, or gasket matching the stock Iron heads to the eddy manifold. But i've also thought about aluminum heads but don't really need 2.02 valves since this car wont see 5000-6000 RPM, I still want this to be streetable with the occasional local weekend 1/8th mile.

Indy made their indy X heads which came with 1.92 intake valves and were newly casted heads, but after talking with them they are looking for a new vender to make them for them again so they don't for see them for 8-10 months.

Looking to see what people suggest for a good set of heads new? or doing work to stock heads? Also what about cam specs? any suggestions?

I wanted a 340 but after watching UTG's video the other day about the 318 I would really like to take my time and try to build a good performing 318, without breaking the bank on a stroker kit or spending tons of money on over priced 340's (as much as I would love to get my hands one one.)

1974 [ 318 ] good foundation to start with I weighed one of my 74 blocks against a 1985 [ 318 ] block and the 74 model weighed 10 pounds more who would have ever thought that much weight could be sacrificed.
 
To bad we cant still find these
They would certainly boost your engine !
Older Direct Connection
11.5.1 forged dome pistons for
30 over 318 .

20210104_204858.jpg
 
That was my other option. I don't mind changing pistons out to boost compression, I would also like to give it an over bore, maybe .030. Guess I have to look for piston options that will maybe boost compression around 9.5 or somewhere close to that. I would still like this to run on pump gas.
if you are going to change pistons you will most likely going to need to rebalance crank and if you are going all in likely recondition rods polish or grind crank....new rod and main bearings...not sure how deep you want to go....

I was in a similar situation as you last year. Add up your possible costs. When I did the math for just a few hundred more I got a scat stroker kit for my 318 which came with crank, pistons, rods, rings, bearings . My little 318 grew up and its now392 cubes 0.040 bored 318 with 4 inch stroke.
 
We might be going off course. Back to your original post. What are you trying to achieve on what budget.....
 
if you are going to change pistons you will most likely going to need to rebalance crank and if you are going all in likely recondition rods polish or grind crank....new rod and main bearings...not sure how deep you want to go....

I was in a similar situation as you last year. Add up your possible costs. When I did the math for just a few hundred more I got a scat stroker kit for my 318 which came with crank, pistons, rods, rings, bearings . My little 318 grew up and its now392 cubes 0.040 bored 318 with 4 inch stroke.
Do you have a build thread? I have a roller cam teen block that would love a 4" throw.
 
Ok, so to clear up the confusion. I have a seperate 318 core that is from 1973 that I plan to build.
I would like it so be streetable with the occasional weekend fun.

Its nothing that has to be done in a hurry so im not worried about costs. As mentioned above it would be smart to weigh out the costs of everything vs getting a stroker and making it a 390. Just would like to know what some good recommendations might be with stock heads, rods and pistons. And maybe what a good build would look like using a stroker kit.

I am not trying to build a 1/4 mile car, but maybe achieve 300 HP? Something reasonable out of a 318
 
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