360 questions
Lone Yankee said
All things being equal a 340 will beat the tar out of it but you don't NEED a fire breathing HEMI to have a good time. Since it was mounted in a truck the heads, intake etc were designed for truck duty so it may not be ideally suited for muscle car service; that need not deter you, though. Having a 360 around to trick-out while you use the 318 (another fine engine in its own right) could be a good project or maybe just drop it in. I'm not sure about the K-member and suspension upgrades you may need, but I say go for it.
Keep'em comming -LY
I strongly disagree here. Like said, right after you, the 360 is very very similar to a 340. The differences are larger mains. This takes up more HP, but on a street ride, you'll never know it.
The bore is 4.00 , slightly smaller, but the stroke is 3.58 vs. 3.31. This equals more torque. The longer stroke also will limit RPM up top but the longer stroke has a earlier peak in HP.
Longer stroke engines may not make as much HP as a shorter stroke engine, but it is very very close in max output.
The 360's advantage besides being a little cheaper is bigger torque and earlier peak HP is a cheaper block or engine to obtain than the 340.
Also, think of it as 20 free cubes. All torque.
A 9.0-1 (min.) comp engine and decent flowing heads like a set of Edelbrocks and a mild cam like a simple off the shelf Comp/Isky...of 280-480 will knock out 380 HP no problem with small tube headers.
Weather or not the engine came from a truck or not doesn't mean squat. It IS the same engine no matter what it came from. The only things that could be different are cam, valve springs, timing chain (Double roller) and other non-HP related items. The differences are for longevity in a harde working envioment.
The 340 & 360 share engine mounts as the 273-318 share engine mounts. Get new ones reguardless on the new build. Cheap ins against failure from years of abuse and service.
No K-member changes needed or suspention upgrades unless you want it. The 360 and 318 are very very close in total weight.
Once the headers and aluminum are on, there basicly identical in weight.
Almost forgot, the 360 is externally balanced as well as the 1 year only extranl balance 340 (1973) All other small block engines are internaly balanced. So there is a balancer up front issue and flywheel/torque converter balance issue at the back.
How much power is it your looking for?
