finding/building a junkyard 360?

[magnumdust]

I'm thinking of putting together a spare engine for my car as i'm gonna start toying with F/I or nitrous in a few months.

I have the old 360, but i'm thinking i might be better off getting rid of it and use a magnum 5.9 from a u-pullit. That way i'm not fumbling with the little differences with each engine.

What should i look for as far as internal condition More than likely i'd just strip it down to a short block in the yard so i could inspect it all.

 

[rumblefish360]

Go Magnum since you have one.

Things to avoid;

Caked up/burnt oil under the valve covers on the valve springs and cloges return passages. The valve cover is probably a joke and cakes with burnt oil.
Sludge in oil pan.
Ridge in the cylinders and of course any scoring, but I think you know that no brainer.

Look for the lowest mileage vehicle you can. It's probably a best bet when you open it up.
Taxi, limo and police fleet vehicle idle a lot. This should not be to bad of an issue.
Also the least greasy engine. A good sign the seals have held up. Look at the front and rear main areas.

 

[skrews]

Magnum is a good junkyard motor. Usually just a ring and bearing overhaul with a set LA bolt pattern Engine Quest heads and a cam upgrade makes for a high 300HP low 400HP motor easy. B&M external balance flexplate (if you can find one).

 

[Woods74]

I wouldn't worry about bore wear either.

 

[Demonracer]

X2 on what Rob (rumblefish360) said about taxi motors. I had a contact with Yellow Cab in Houston years back and he let me know when they got in any totaled taxis. I would buy the LA 360s and 727 transmissions and use them, or clean them up and resell them. Too bad my contact has since passed on.

 

[magnumdust]

Go Magnum since you have one.

Things to avoid;

Caked up/burnt oil under the valve covers on the valve springs and cloges return passages. The valve cover is probably a joke and cakes with burnt oil.
Sludge in oil pan.
Ridge in the cylinders and of course any scoring, but I think you know that no brainer.

Look for the lowest mileage vehicle you can. It's probably a best bet when you open it up.
Taxi, limo and police fleet vehicle idle a lot. This should not be to bad of an issue.
Also the least greasy engine. A good sign the seals have held up. Look at the front and rear main areas.

I'll keep that in mind. Due to it being a magnum i'd be looking for vans/service trucks.

 

[bad440]

the pick n pull in fremont just set down a bunch of trucks and vans.i counted three 360 magnums and about eight teeners.