1990 318 LA Engine

[bschubarg]

I bought a great running 5.2 from a 1990 Dakota. It is not a Magnum, but a LA style engine. I haven't torn into it so all I really know about the engine is its size and manufacture date.

My question is; and I have tried to do some research on this year of 318, is
what is the compression ratio?

is it a roller?

are the heads better performance with the older 318s?

or is this just another 318 that happens to be one of the last years of production of the LA styled small blocks?

Best Regards
Bill

 

[mtandrews]

compression ratio if I remember correctly (from someone here) is 9-ish. Yes it is a roller, yes the heads are better than the old heads. Yours probably are the "302" swirl ports.

 

[bschubarg]

Thanks for taking the time to help me figure out what the heck is this '90 318. I got it running finally and ready to do a few upgrades. Just needed a starting point like comp ratio and heads info.

thanks again