318 timing mark

[Rapid Robert]

What Del said, find TDC but let me ask you this, with the piston all the way "up" how far away is the slit from your timing marks?

 

[krazykuda]

Well get busy and make a new TDC mark. With the heads off all you need is a simple bracket bolted to the block deck. It does not have to be this fancy

A dial indicator may also be used if he has one...

 

[67Dart273]

A dial indicator may also be used if he has one...

I actually find that method much more difficult. It can be difficult to get the thing 'exactly' on the same reading each time.

 

[prostreeter9]

So new question. Will 360 heads work on a 318?

 

[Mopar Tim]

So new question. Will 360 heads work on a 318?

Yes they will. But be mindful on compression. some 360 heads will lower your static compression. :burnout:MT

 

[krazykuda]

So new question. Will 360 heads work on a 318?

Yes, they will work, but will drop your compression about 1.2 points...

However the increased airflow will make up for that in performance.


If you want to keep the compression up on a 318 with the 360 heads on it, install a set of 10.5 compression pistons and it will end up around 9.2 compression.

 

[Mopar Tim]

However the increased airflow will make up for that in performance.

You will have better flow at higher RPM but lose torque in the lower end because of drop in compression.

 

[67Dart273]

I have to tell you guys in my opinion, "stay with" 318 heads. This may be in error but it's my experience. Years ago, I had the old 71 340 heads on a stock pistons 318 in the old Landruiser. The same little solid tappet cam that was in that, was used in the last 318 in the Dart. This was an otherwise stock engine, only changed to a Performer, and headers. It seemed to me that combo had a LOT more suds than the "big" heads on the other engine.

 

[Mopar Tim]

I have to tell you guys in my opinion, "stay with" 318 heads. This may be in error but it's my experience. Years ago, I had the old 71 340 heads on a stock pistons 318 in the old Landruiser. The same little solid tappet cam that was in that, was used in the last 318 in the Dart. This was an otherwise stock engine, only changed to a Performer, and headers. It seemed to me that combo had a LOT more suds than the "big" heads on the other engine.

I agree with this

 

[RustyRatRod]

I also agree with keeping the 318 heads. While it may be true the "bigger" heads will flow more, when you start down that rabbit hole, you're opening yourself up to one thing after another.

 

[krazykuda]

We're putting a set of old 318 heads with 1.88" intakes, 1.6" exhaust and some porting on our 318 to take advantage of the smaller port velocity and bigger valves, and trying to keep the compression from dropping with the 340/360 larger combustion chamber.