73 Dart Swinger - 318 to 360 - help/opinion

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Been a long while since posting but finally getting some major work done with my car.

As of yesterday I've gotten the 318 and 727 pulled out because, while it sounds pretty good, it leaks every fluid put in the car and my driveway looks like an abstract artists mixed-media painting.

Okay, here's my real question. the 318 in this has been bored over and cammed (I have no specifics other than 30 over). In short, I know very little about it other than it sound pretty good and doesn't seem tired. I have a friend with a 78 dodge truck with a 360 he would sell me. It is very clean and other than a new intake and carb, nothing has been done to it.

Opinions - should I stick with the "built" 318 or go for the cubic inches?!

Also, I know I would have to get a new oil pan and balance the converter but would I need to get different motor mounts. The truck is also a manual so would that make a difference in it bolting up to the 727?

Any of your thoughts on this would be appreciated!
 

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The motor mounts I believe will work, you might need to stack some washers in one side. If you buy new motor mounts even if listed as 73-78 340 or 360 Dart mounts they will probably be the 318 mounts exactly like you already have. To use the 727 from a 318 you either need the external balance flexplate, or add weights to the old converter, or buy a new externally balanced converter.
That 78 truck motor could be one of the beloved E58 motors. Not really a big deal besides a factory double roller timing chain and a windage tray but whatever, it was the best LA 360 stock.
 
Hersbird said:
The motor mounts I believe will work, you might need to stack some washers in one side. If you buy new motor mounts even if listed as 73-78 340 or 360 Dart mounts they will probably be the 318 mounts exactly like you already have. To use the 727 from a 318 you either need the external balance flexplate, or add weights to the old converter, or buy a new externally balanced converter.
Click to expand...

The motor mounts on the 318 are pretty much shot so I need to get new anyway. I've gotten a look at the 360 and it is actually a 75. Thanks for the reply's and info. All very much appreciated.
 
The motor mounts will work. I did the exact same thing you're doing. I got a B&M flex plate to go with it. I don't know about the transmission though.
 
He's not talking about the biscuits...he's talking about the actual hard mounts...the 318 and 360 are different, but you can indeed stack washers to make the 318 mount work on a 360...or at least I've personally seen it work on my brother's car.

OK, opinion time...

318 leaks...but you already have it, and have pulled it. So you might need to spend a couple hundred in gaskets, seals, and sundry to put it back to non-leaking condition.

360...have to buy the engine ($), have to buy a few parts just to make it usable in your car ($), runs well to your knowledge, but otherwise unknown condition...gamble's up to you.

I wouldn't mind swapping a 360 in my Scamp, but if all my 5.2 had wrong with it were leaks and I wasn't dying to turn my tires into expensive clouds of smoke, I'd just pull the engine, reseal it, and put it back in. JMO...

Either way--let us know the outcome...we love reading about others' projects...well, most of us do.
 
The left side motor mount on the 360 is different than the 318 by about 1/2" width...

The ears on the block are different on that side.

The pass. side mounts and ears are the same...
 
I think I've been swayed to keep the 318 and some years down the road make the jump to a big block.

If I'm going to mess with motor mounts/k-member I'm going to do it for a better reason :twisted:

txstang84 said:
I wouldn't mind swapping a 360 in my Scamp, but if all my 5.2 had wrong with it were leaks and I wasn't dying to turn my tires into expensive clouds of smoke, I'd just pull the engine, reseal it, and put it back in. JMO...

Either way--let us know the outcome...we love reading about others' projects...well, most of us do.
Click to expand...

I had a members restoration thread opened but didn't get pictures on some of the things I'd done. I'll try to get it updated. Spent 6 months waiting on a back-ordered disc brake conversion kit to come in from Right Stuff Brakes (http://www.getdiscbrakes.com/)
 
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