360 Vibration damper interchange

[krazykuda]

Hi guys. I have a question for all of you 360 experts.

We are building a 91 360 engine and have misplaced the original vibration damper. :banghead:


I have lots of parts. Many spare vibration dampers for the early 70's series 360's. Are they interchangeable? Was there any differences in the balance of the engines and/or the vibration dampers from the 70's vintage to the 91 series?

Can we use an older vibration damper on it, or do I need to get one closer to the 91. If so what year balancers will interchange with the 91 360?


Also, what are we going to need for flex plate and torque converters. How do I know that I'm using the proper converter (balancing weights) and flex plates. How do I identify the proper parts in my pile-o-parts??? :sad1:

Thanks for the info.

 

[pntastar69]

360's are externally balanced unless the machine shop internally balanced the crank. Externally balanced you'll need a neutral flex plate and "I believe" an neutral flex plate as well, no weights.

Someone may correct me on the latter.

 

[Locomotion]

As stated, '91 and earlier 360's were externally balanced the same. So the balancers/dampers will interchange.

On the other end, the converters had weight welded on with a neutral flexplate. (Not sure how to tell what engine externally balanced converters came from - 360, cast 340, some big blocks. But they all vary in amount of weight.)

The easiest was to go is a neutral torque converter with a B&M balanced flexplate for your application. Then you can swap the more common neutral converters in the future and have the optional bolt patterns in the flexplate if needed. But if you're sure about a 360 converter, any neutral flexplate with the correct bolt pattern & bolt size will work.

 

[burdar]

360's take a weighted balancer and a weighted convertor. I have a Mopar Performance non Magnum roller short block. I used a 76 360 weighted balancer and a B&M weighted flexplate.

 

[Blue Grey Duster]

I would think you would have to go with a fluidamper, since that's what Larry Shepard suggests. I'm certainly no expert so I'll quote the Chrysler Engineer. " The fluidamper is the best unit for custom packages."

I have part numbers but no casting numbers. Maybe a Pro does.

For the LA 360's, 71-92, ---- there are 8 of them. For your year , 91, there are 2.

82-92 one for auto and one for manual transmission.

I have the Magnum 360 and it takes a weighted flexplate and a weighted balancer, but different weights than the LA 360.

I think Chrysler must be saying, where there is confusion, there is money to be made. Use the wrong one and we'll be selling more parts.

Now your problem might be, will the belts line up, because of the possible difference in balancer thicknesses.

I hope this helps.

 

[krazykuda]

If I could use the "older" 70's vibration damper the pulleys should line up better also if there is a difference in thickness.


Do they still have the MP "hotline" any more?

 

[Blue Grey Duster]

I hope so ! I used this number last year.
1.888.528.HEMI

 

[burdar]

The 70's style damper should work. It worked on mine. The pulley mounting location is the same as a 318. The 360 just has an extra weight around the outside of the damper...it doesn't affect the pulley at all.

 

[burdar]

In this picture you can see how the weight is attached to the damper.(attached to the front of the damper) The pulley fits inside the weight. This was a MP LA short block assembly made from a non Magnum roller block.

 

[krazykuda]

Thanks guys. This helps. Keep the tips coming.