91 360 worth buying?

[demon700]

Hi, i just recently purchased my first mopar, a 71 Demon. It has the original /6 and 3 spd manual in it. I am looking for a 360 to build and drop in. I have found a really great deal on what the fella says is a 91 360 from a 1 ton dodge. This would still be the low compression "economy" engine would it not? And if it is, what can i do to beef the horsepower up, or should i just keep looking for either a newer or much older engine. I am relatively new to the dodge side of things so please excuse any stupid questions i may ask....there will be a lot of them!

 

[goldduster318]

That's a TBI engine. They're gonna be under 9:1 compression, but then again ALL OEM 360's are. Its a good piece to start with, probably the best non-magnum 360. The bores usually look really good on TBI engines and this one probably has the "308" heads which are pretty good for LA castings.

If you added a cam around 268 degree advertised duration (like a comp extreme energy), valve springs, headers, and an intake like an edelbrock performer rpm or air gap along with a 600cfm or bigger carb this engine will probably make between 325 and 350 hp no sweat.

Just remember that the 360 is an external balance engine where all other mopar small blocks are internal balance. The Mopar small block also has a different bellhousing pattern than the slant six.

You'll also need a proper electronic distributor to run the engine in your car since the TBI one won't help you. They're easy to find used.

you'll probably want to just convert the car to a 4-speed manual when you swap the v8 in.

 

[demon700]

Thats great thanks! I was just planning on putting a 5 spd in from a dakota or something for now. I have an 8 3/4 rearend for it, but that will shorten the distance between yokes. Can i remedy this by pushing the slip yoke on the tail shaft in a little more, or is the change to great and a shortened driveshaft needed?

 

[340sFastback]

That block should have provisions for a roller cam and might even already have a roller cam in it. If you put light weight higher compression pistons in there it will make some really good power.

 

[abodyjoe]

that is a roller motor. definatley a good start

 

[Prine]

that 91' 360, IS a LA Roller Cammed 360.

IMHO, the best non-magnum 360 ever.

308' casting heads for sure.

and a great foundation for a Hi-Performance SB.

If the price is under $500, you better swoop it up before someone else does and finds out for themselves.

400 WHEEL HORSEPOWER wouldn't even break a sweat for that one with a few normal performance mods.

Comp Cams XE268H or comparable Hydraulic Roller Cam (to utilize the less friction HP and smooth rpm band- which I highly recommend reusing the Roller Lifters)
Headers
Edelbrock Air Gap
Holley 750 DP

come to mind..........

 

[needsaresto]

Have to admit Im a bit jealous! Thats a better find than my 78 4 bbl 360 which has a windage tray...

How much?

 

[demon700]

Thats awsome news Prine, because the fella wants $200, and I just got back from the yard and it only has 48000 km on it. Now, the truck is a 4 spd, would that be worth taking as well, he may want an extra 75 or 100 dollars for it. This old fella owns a junk yard a few miles from my place, and since i was about 15 i've been buying odds and ends from him. My first car was a 91 ford probe (i know...i know) and he told me what ever i could carry...$40. Well, i managed to drag up a hood, two head light brackets with motors, a complete dash, $300 head light switches, and a pocket full of interior nuts and bolts....and he treats everyone the same....my father used to buy parts off him.

 

[demon700]

The guy wants $200 for the engine. I just looked at it, has only got 48000km on it. The truck has a 4 spd, would that be worth taking as well? He would probably only want another 75 or 100 dollars more. If it will work for me, then i'll take it to. Thanks for everything everyone, this site is great! Thanks again.

 

[crackedback]

That block should have provisions for a roller cam and might even already have a roller cam in it. If you put light weight higher compression pistons in there it will make some really good power.

This is the biggest and most important issue.

Ask to pull the distributor and look down in the valley area through the hole for the spiders and dogbones holding the roller lifters.

$200 for a rebuildable piece is a very good price.

If you can get the whole enchilada for 250-300, i'd grab it. The trans may not be usuable or a low first gear model. The flywheel, if 130 tooth, would be a good piece to have if you are planning on a 4 gear behind the 360.

 

[sharpie]

I don't see any way this could be a problem. If it's a roller motor, it's oiled through the pushrods. Either way, you can use LA heads, which are cheaper than Magnum heads.

 

[goldduster318]

since its from a 1 ton, the transmission won't be worth taking, but keep the flywheel. Pick that bad boy up. I know I got almost $200 for selling the throttle body and accessories off the 318 TBI I had.

 

[340sFastback]

I don't see any way this could be a problem. If it's a roller motor, it's oiled through the pushrods. Either way, you can use LA heads, which are cheaper than Magnum heads.

'91 is still pre-magnum, should be oiled through the block/heads.

 

[sharpie]

'91 is still pre-magnum, should be oiled through the block/heads.

how were the roller lifters aligned pre-Magnum? If it was with a spider and retainers, you could just drop in Magnum lifters for the oiling holes and oiling pushrods and rockers, and have it done.

 

['64 Cuda]

The pre-magnum roller cam setup is just like that of the magnum engines. It uses the same spider, dogbones, & roller lifters as the magnum. Only real difference is the holes are drilled in the deck to allow the oiling through the rocker shafts. I'd definitely grab that motor. I paid $250 for mine & was glad to get it. Don't know if the flywheel will do you much good. It might be made for an 11" clutch instead of the 10.5" one that we usually see in A bodies. Get it anyway if it's free. Maybe you'll be lucky. If it's the 10.5" size they cost well over $250 new from Mopar.