360 La Vs 360 LA roller

[nick.rembecki]

I’ve been having trouble finding a LA 360 from the early 70s to swap into my 73 duster. I’ve found a couple LA 360 roller blocks from late 88-89. Is there any differences between the two besides roller cams and lifters? Should I continue to look for a early 70s 360 or would the rollers be fine to swap in?

 

[Projectile Dart]

Funny how that works. I have 2-360s from '73 and '76 and it's near impossible to find LA roller blocks in my area because everything is the older stuff. I would trade you one of my 70s engines for a similar condition roller engine if we were closer

 

[1WildRT]

Roller blocks are good, don't gotta worry about the cam going flat... And 88-89 is LA style so it oils the heads through the block not through the pushrods...

 

[junkyardhero]

they're fairly close like for like, however there are some granular details.

the cam may or may not have a snout that allows for the mechanical fuel pump eccentric. not a big deal if you're running an electric pump already, and there's bolt on widget sold that will allow for a eccentric on the "short snout" cam.

to that note, roller cam selection is a little more limited and expensive. best to have your stock unit reground if you're looking for a performance grind.

on the exhaust the heads generally have smog ports on them for the air injection system. these are easily tapped and plugged.

i would totally go with a roller motor on a swap without a single hesitation.

 

[nick.rembecki]

they're fairly close like for like, however there are some granular details.

the cam may or may not have a snout that allows for the mechanical fuel pump eccentric. not a big deal if you're running an electric pump already, and there's bolt on widget sold that will allow for a eccentric on the "short snout" cam.

to that note, roller cam selection is a little more limited and expensive. best to have your stock unit reground if you're looking for a performance grind.

on the exhaust the heads generally have smog ports on them for the air injection system. these are easily tapped and plugged.

i would totally go with a roller motor on a swap without a single hesitation.

I have an extra set of hooker headers that came with the car when I bought it. It currently has a 318 in it, would those headers bolt right up with no problem? I attached a photo of the roller heads, where would the smog ports be?

 

[junkyardhero]

yeah, they'll bolt right up. *sometimes* you'll need to relieve the block or head a little bit for fit/clearance, nothing major.

those are aftermarket heads, they don't have smog ports.
stock they're under the exhaust port:

 

[nick.rembecki]

yeah, they'll bolt right up. *sometimes* you'll need to relieve the block or head a little bit for fit/clearance, nothing major.

those are aftermarket heads, they don't have smog ports.
stock they're under the exhaust port:

View attachment 1716499614

Appreciate it. Hoping to swap one in before summertime comes

 

[1WildRT]

And if it has those smog ports a # 7 drill followed by a 1/4-20 tap then 8 1/4-20 set screws and the problem is solved...

 

[Ottmundr]

I’ve been having trouble finding a LA 360 from the early 70s to swap into my 73 duster. I’ve found a couple LA 360 roller blocks from late 88-89. Is there any differences between the two besides roller cams and lifters? Should I continue to look for a early 70s 360 or would the rollers be fine to swap in?

Buy them ALL. There's no practical difference.
I got a roller block and threw a solid flat tappet cam in it.
And an internal balance crank.
And forged pistons.
And new scat i-beams.
And a milodon timing gear set.
And promaxx cnc shocker 185's
Next up is coil near plugs.

I'd sell the hookers and get coated tti or dougs.

 

[Kern Dog]

Roller blocks are good, don't gotta worry about the cam going flat... And 88-89 is LA style so it oils the heads through the block not through the pushrods...

My 1990 360 also fits the roller cam/LA rocker shaft group.
The block itself has taller lifter bosses to better support the taller roller lifters but you can still use a standard flat tappet cam and lifter setup.