360
Wow. Talk about some great information. Thank you so much that was very very helpful. It is in fact a 360 and if I am right by what you gave me it is 3-3 of 77. I found myself getting giddy being out in the garage looking for that info ha. In light of the new information you have given me on rebuilding it I am definitely interested in rebuilding it. One of my biggest worries was not knowing where to even start. Thanks again. Also will I need to swap anything out to fit the 360 in? its a factory 318 in it already. My mind is still blown from reading all of that. ha.
To convert from a 318 to a 360 is easy. Only the left (driver's) side motor mount is different (the spread between the ears on the block is about 1/2" different). Some people shim the 318 motor mount, or you can order the right mounts.
You didn't say what year and model car that you are putting it in. I know that repro motor mounts are available from Mancini Racing for the early 72 and earlier style motor mount brackets. The 73 motor mounts changed to the "spool" type, so if you are putting in a 73 or newer car, you would need to order the 73 and later style spool mount for the car. Have it looked up as a 73 340 or 73-73 360.
Pretty much everything from a 318 will bolt onto a 360. Except for the crank and pistons and oil pans (360 has a different rear oil pan seal than the 273/318/340). However the 318 intake & heads have smaller ports, so you would want to use the 340 or 360 heads and have 2.02" intake valves installed if your heads don't already have them. It's no problem for a head machinist to do.
The timing chain covers and water pumps are interchangeable: cams, lifters, timing chains, fuel pumps, distributor gears, distributors.
You will also want to order the repro small block 340 throttle cable linkage bracket from Mancini Racing to use a 4 bbl intake and you may be able to adapt the stock 318 kickdown linkage to it.
The 360 has the longest stroke of all small block Mopars at 3.53" compared to the 273/318/340 at 3.31", which will give it more torque. Longer stroke = more torque. The main bearing journals are also larger on the 360 than the other three, so you cannot interchange the cranks form 360's to the other SB mopars, but the rods are the same length center to center. 340's came with floating piston pins, and 360's had press fit piston wrist pins. You can use either rod in the 360 depending on what pistons you use (floating pin vs press fit pin). The 273 & 318 used light duty rods.
318's usually come with the lighter duty 904 auto trans. 340's and most 360's came with the 727 torqueflite which has an extra set of clutches and is stronger. They will both bolt up to any small block mopar. The 360's have external balancing which makes the flex plate and torque converter unique to them also, but they are available. You need to keep that in mind when you buy your parts. The 727 is slightly longer and you will have to get the driveshaft shortened about 2" from the 904 driveshaft.
The 7 1/4" axle is not strong enough for a 360. You will have to make sure that you use either a 8 1/4 or the better 8 3/4 axle if you want it to stay together. To convert a car that came with a 7 1/4" axle to a 8 3/4" axle will also require to shorten the driveshaft about another 2". If you decide to upgrade, it's best to do both together so you only have to get your driveshaft shortened and balanced only once. :banghead:
Here are some charts to help you figure out axles:
View attachment Differential ID.jpg
View attachment rearaxledims.jpg
Lastly, I appreciate the "thanks" for the info. I've been into Mopars for over 33 years. I have given you "my recipe" for building a good street performance engine capable of daily driving. Some people may have different opinions which they are entitled to. I have given you how I have learned to do it for all of my years of experience. Let me know if you need any steps on rebuilding your engine, I can walk you through it.
If you try to put it into a 69 and earlier a-body, I can tell you how to set up the timing chain, vibration damper, and water pump to use the stock radiator outlets.
I'm glad that I have excited you to build the 360. They can run as good or even better than a 340 when built properly. I have listed alot of information, just keep reviewing it until it sinks in. Go at your own pace, don't be shy about asking questions. FABO gets to be like family and we like to help each other out whenever possible. There's alot of knowledge in all of the members. Hopefully you now have been bitten by the Mopar bug and will keep at it. :cheers: