'89 360 LA valve spring/cam confusion

-
I'm not certain, but dont the roller cam motors have a larger diameter pushrod tubes? I'll have to go pull some heads off my shelf and measure them.
 
1976 heads will work the hydraulic cam no problem, if set up correctly with the right springs, seat load , open load, check coil bind height
As I said they were unusable. Will just go with a set of reman heads & put the motor back together
 
I'm not certain, but dont the roller cam motors have a larger diameter pushrod tubes? I'll have to go pull some heads off my shelf and measure them.
Yes they do 0.660 diameter, another reason to go with the remans
 
Latest update. Could not find a set of reman heads for the '89 specs so ended up going with a set of Magnum heads, got them today. Tomorrow will tear the short block down to see just what condition it is actually in. Seriously considering a mild cam like the Hughes Steam Roller. Did get the 8.75 rear end that has a 3.23 posi unit installed! The housing & backing plates are at the powder coater now, will clean on the carrier in the morning. Transmission is at the shop being rebuilt, should get it back shortly.
 
Latest update. Could not find a set of reman heads for the '89 specs so ended up going with a set of Magnum heads, got them today. Tomorrow will tear the short block down to see just what condition it is actually in. Seriously considering a mild cam like the Hughes Steam Roller. Did get the 8.75 rear end that has a 3.23 posi unit installed! The housing & backing plates are at the powder coater now, will clean on the carrier in the morning. Transmission is at the shop being rebuilt, should get it back shortly.
The Magnum heads oil the rockers through the pushrods so make sure you get the proper lifters and pushrods.
 
The Magnum heads oil the rockers through the pushrods so make sure you get the proper lifters and pushrods.
Got that covered! The 89-91 motors (which mine is) use the pre magnum heads (Magnum dimensions, LA intake bolt pattern) so have the Magnum rockers & oil through pushrods already.
 
Got that covered! The 89-91 motors (which mine is) use the pre magnum heads (Magnum dimensions, LA intake bolt pattern) so have the Magnum rockers & oil through pushrods already.
The roller cammed LA engine I just rebuilt was all LA and had nothing Magnum on it. LA heads, rocker gear and solid pushrods that were not oil through type. Not sure how yours does if you have a pre-magnum, LA engine. Can you post pictures of it. I'm curious to see.
 
I'll get some this morning. The 89-91 369 truck motor was a LA block with hydraulic roller cam, oil through pushrods & magnum rockers & .660 pushrod holes in the heads but had the intake manifold holes for the LA style. They were also the "308" casting heads. Not sure why Dodge did that, guess they got bored! I got the correct info from Rob at Rob's Rod Shop in Downington, PA as he has a considerable amount of experience with the Magnum head, LA block motors.
 
The roller cammed LA engine I just rebuilt was all LA and had nothing Magnum on it. LA heads, rocker gear and solid pushrods that were not oil through type. Not sure how yours does if you have a pre-magnum, LA engine. Can you post pictures of it. I'm curious to see.

The roller cam LA motors did have through-holes in the pushrods. At least the ones I've taken apart did. I think they still oiled through the head though because of the shaft rockers.

I'll get some this morning. The 89-91 369 truck motor was a LA block with hydraulic roller cam, oil through pushrods & magnum rockers ...

I think you mean 'magnum lifters,' not 'rockers.' I'm not sure how any LA motor could use magnum style rockers without a head swap.
 
The roller cam LA motors did have through-holes in the pushrods. At least the ones I've taken apart did. I think they still oiled through the head though because of the shaft rockers.



I think you mean 'magnum lifters,' not 'rockers.' I'm not sure how any LA motor could use magnum style rockers without a head swap.
The block has the hydraulic roller lifter setup with oil through pushrods & magnum style rockers. This combination was only made from '89-91 then the Magnum motor came out. Like I said I checked with with knowledgeable people & was told it would work.
 
I'm sorry, but my 89, roller cammed 318 that I just rebuilt, had solid pushrods #302 heads and LA shaft valve train. Not Magnum.
 
The block has the hydraulic roller lifter setup with oil through pushrods & magnum style rockers. This combination was only made from '89-91 then the Magnum motor came out. Like I said I checked with with knowledgeable people & was told it would work.

I believe you're mistaken. Pre-magnum LA motors (w/ roller cams) still had shaft rockers. If you have a 89-91 360 with magnum-style rockers, someone swapped heads.

I'm sorry, but my 89, roller cammed 318 that I just rebuilt, had solid pushrods #302 heads and LA shaft valve train. Not Magnum.

That's interesting! Maybe during the transition years, Chrysler just kind used what they had? I wouldn't put it past them.
 
I stand corrected. Tore the short block down today & I do have shaft rockers with the hydraulic roller lifters. Bad part was we found the camshaft is bad & the lifters are getting there, so will be shopping a complete valvetrain - cam, lifters, rockers (my new heads are stud mount) & pushrods. So much for the low budget build. Took the block to machinist to be tanked, cleaned, new freeze plugs & cam bearings.
 
figure youre true cr before cam shopping
what was youe deck clearance at all 4 corners
 
-
Back
Top