Suregrip391 said:
I think I may try a 360 engine build. Having never had one or even looked into it...I was wondering if there was anything that was good, better, best when determining what year and/or casting numbers on such items would be best for me to look for??? (block and heads). Just trying to gather some facts, I may be getting a 69 barracuda fastback that I would like to put this in. Thanks in advance guys!!!
Crate motor.
Cheaper, faster to put the car back in service with a warrenty. How good are your skills? Have you built an engine before? A good crate block wont need machine work and if you want to you can put a good cam in it from the get go.
If you really just want to do it all yourself you want a block made before 74. All the 360s after that used a thinner casting and you run into some problems with heating. I am dealing with that right now with a 78 truck block. Thats only if you want to bore it too .060 though. They take .010 to .030 fine.
Heads are a voodoo science equivelant to politics. Some work.. some dont... and know one agrees on the same thing.
I say again go with an aftermarket or fresh set. All the work is done you just got to put them on and go for a drive.
If you gotta build them yourself and want the experience I would go with the 88-91 360 Truck fuel injection heads (TBI). Why? Because they are easier to come across and you wont get charged a huge amount. I picked up a good set for $60. They are made to flow well and will bolt on to any 360. If they are in good condition you will still get the "feel" of what its like to rebuild heads but can avoid the higher cost of having to purchase all new parts. Valves, valve guides, seats, springs, retainers, locks, (if you change the cam you should change the springs though) if you were to get an older set of heads that had to many miles or too much wear.
A plus side to that is if you get a dumbass machine shop your not out too much when they screw up your super rare 340 TA heads or some oddball head that was a pain or expensive to find. Good machinist are worth it. Unless you have a good recommendation I would not take Hi performance parts to any one you find out of the phone book unless you have seen their work. 1st hand!
A bad machinist or job order will kind of sour your engine building experience. BE CAREFUL! And make sure you know what you are asking for when you take it in.
I really wish I would have gone the crate block route right now. A Dodge 360 Magnum engine from Summit would be good place to start.
If I would have went this route I would have had a new
Magnum short block for the cost of my cam, pistons, block machine work, and labor. ( I had to get a bore sleeved.) Plus you dont have to worry about a crack in a block that didnt get found or bad piston or something. All you have to do is put the heads, manifold and exhaust and go! They used to sell magnum 360 for 300 hp for 2500 out the door. it even came with the distributor and a manifold you could sell on ebay if you didnt want a single plane!
Im not trying to knock you or sway your from building your own. But unless you have access to a free machine shop the crate engine is cheaper, better and safer in my own opinion.
Too answer your question though.
Block. Any 72-74 Thick casting 360
Heads. 4448308s 360 TBI heads
Intake. Aftermarket. Nice aluminum light weight. Well worth it.
Exhaust Manifolds...... Not sure. I got a 66 A body. 340s are really hard to find. I am going to try 360 Magnums. They are a bolt to the block and dump to the rear. You have header options for the 69 I believe.
Have fun and good luck!!!
