318 build problems & new direction

cudaracer said
Hey everyone, been gone for while but back to planning for cuda.

I have thought about several scenarios for the 318 in the past, and I have FINALLY decided to go absolutely cheap as I only need to add pistons and block machining. So check out my latest plan, and feel free to guess at my expected power. Also, is my CR too high with that cam for 91 oct?

1. Using same 308 cast with 1.88/1.60 valves and mild porting in bowl and gasket matching
2. Bore to 3.97" same 3.31 stroke
3. KB167 pistons
4. CR = 10:1 with 0.020 gasket (65cc chamber)
5. Comp XE268 (268/280) hyd cam
4. DP Weiand 4 bbl
5. Eddie 650 carb
6. Magnum exh manifolds - ported
7. 2.5" dual exh with Thrush muffler

So that is the setup I would like to add to a mild original 318 with about 87K miles.
What can I expect from the rods and crank, and should I modify those?

Thanks

Yours is similar to mine other than the heads and pistons...same CH piston but mine are 2618 forged and the heads are Indy 192/162...single plane eddy, holley 4150. Same comp cam.

Wouldn't idle right until I set the vacuum advance can up right, or to my liking anyway. got an adjustable vac can that is all in @ 10" of vacuum. Put a limiter on the vacuum advance arm that only allows 24* timing at idle. initial is 18* so the can is only giving 6* additional at idle. It's all in by 3100 at 40* and at 3200 cruise it's giving 46* total. had to do something...vacuum was too low in gear to idle below 900...that fixed it to a point...then I learned about T port sync, set that up correctly and made a huge difference in idle quality and exhaust stench.

After break in it went on the local chassis dyno. iirc it put 286 hp and 261 tq to the rear wheels. That's around 350/360 horse at the crank...the dyno tec said. It's a stout screamer and does come on HARD between 4500 and 6000.

I run 3.23's also, stepping up to 3.55's now and going 408 stroker. I love the screamin like a banshee thing but...Put a rev limiter on it. It'll spin up so fast when you break em loose you can hit 7grand easy. I did and now the motor is being assembled again after putting a new rod and piston in it. I hit 7 grand plus at 25 mph when I stomped on it. It broke em loose and over revved instantly and smoked a wrist pin...thought I had valve contact from float but the heads are fine...just got a new rod and piston to balance the same as the bad one. I'm finishing up putting the motor back in this weekend...it was a strong motor and will be again...but with a rev limiter. In a few months the 318 will need a new home...I don't regret the 318, I love it....just don't want to have to rev to 6 grand to get the power...therefore I go 408 this time.