1989 360 SBM

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coloradohill

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Hello FABO family, I’m looking at a 1989 360 engine this weekend and would like some information on this specific year.
From the research I have done so far it looks like a hyd roller engine before the magnums were introduced.
What’s your thoughts on this for a 408 candidate? Pros and cons?
I appreciate your time.
Enjoy your day.
 
coloradohill said:
Hello FABO family, I’m looking at a 1989 360 engine this weekend and would like some information on this specific year.
From the research I have done so far it looks like a hyd roller engine before the magnums were introduced.
What’s your thoughts on this for a 408 candidate? Pros and cons?
I appreciate your time.
Enjoy your day.
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I think it would be a great candidate as long as the block is good...you'll be replacing just about everything else with a stroker build.
 
why wouldn't you get the Magnum far better than the LA even with the roller cam with the option to use several of the LA stuff on it. I lived in era of the 70's and 80's car companies trying to take existing products to meet certain demands which never was any good. The 89 is old school with a roller cam the Magnum was a new design motor. Even in stock form once you have a Magnum you'll never go back IMO
 
dodge71demon said:
why wouldn't you get the Magnum far better than the LA even with the roller cam with the option to use several of the LA stuff on it. I lived in era of the 70's and 80's car companies trying to take existing products to meet certain demands which never was any good. The 89 is old school with a roller cam the Magnum was a new design motor. Even in stock form once you have a Magnum you'll never go back IMO
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Mainly because this engine I found is nearby and the price is right/ low miles ext. I don’t have anything against the magnums, just not any jumping in my lap at the moment
Thanks
 
No matter what block you choose. Its the machine shop that makes them durable. That will be your most important research. Good machinist are far and few.
 
dodge71demon said:
why wouldn't you get the Magnum far better than the LA even with the roller cam with the option to use several of the LA stuff on it. I lived in era of the 70's and 80's car companies trying to take existing products to meet certain demands which never was any good. The 89 is old school with a roller cam the Magnum was a new design motor. Even in stock form once you have a Magnum you'll never go back IMO
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Besides the roller cam, what about the Magnum block is significantly better than the pre-magnum roller or LA?
 
gzig5 said:
Besides the roller cam, what about the Magnum block is significantly better than the pre-magnum roller or LA?
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Nothing. Alot more cylinder head/intake choices with the LA too.
If I had no engine at all I would go Magnum because they are easy to find. However in this case the OP has stumbled on to a hard to find LA roller which is the best of both worlds. Plus the 89 engine should have 308 casting heads which are supposed to be the best factory iron head. Just to clarify I would choose a magnum over a flat tapper LA block.
 
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coloradohill said:
Hello FABO family, I’m looking at a 1989 360 engine this weekend and would like some information on this specific year.
From the research I have done so far it looks like a hyd roller engine before the magnums were introduced.
What’s your thoughts on this for a 408 candidate? Pros and cons?
I appreciate your time.
Enjoy your day.
Click to expand...
I have that exact engine. It’s been sitting on an engine stand for five years waiting to be built. I’m finally there so I’m researching to see which is a better idea; build the 1989 360 or the 70s 318 I just pulled out of the car
 
I´ve got one also , a 1990 la roller 5.9 in great shape , has the long snout roller cam and a windage tray . perfect for any type of build . magnums had .015 shorter deck and different pistons for 9.1 to 1 . probably throw a set of sealed power pistons in (so need no rebalance) and and have the roller cam reground , unfinished truck project came with a set fresh of aero heads , gasket set , std rings and bearings china airgap plus other stuff $400
 
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