Magnum 360 question..........

[Tarr]

I've never had one and assumed I knew the answers so I never looked into it. I called a salvage yard to see about a 92-95 360 to put in my old stepside. They guy said it wouldn't fit because the magnums hook to the trans differently. I think he said the crankshaft bolts differently. Is he right? I know about the weight for the balance needing to be added but is there more?

Thanks.

 

[70aarcuda]

they bolt up to 727/904/500/518

just get the right weighted flexplate or converter...

 

[Locomotion]

I've never messed with the Magnum 360's, but a lot of people I know run them and haven't mentioned having any problems. I believe B&M makes the proper flexplate for the Magnums, which is different than the "regular" 360's. Small block bellhousings bolt right up otherwise. But I'd wait for confirmation from other sources to be sure.

 

[fishy68]

The junkyard guy doesn't know what he's talking about. They have the same bolt pattern as the older 360's. Only thing different is what was mentioned about the different balancing of them.

 

[racerbob]

I think the way it works is:

You cannot run the Magnum with a standard flexplate and "360" balance TQ.

If you use an aftermarket Magnum flexplate with balance weights, have ot use a neutral balance TQ (get one for a 318, 340, 273 or remove the balance weights spot welded to the existing TQ).

If you have a 727 or 904 trans, I am not sure if you can get a TQ for these that are balanced for a 5.9L magnum engine??

 

[venomvpr900]

I want what ever the junkyard man is smokeing

 

[Tarr]

Now that I know he don't know s**t about Mopar, maybe I can get a deal out of him because he don't know what's what.
Another yard offered me a 94 360 minus the intake/fuel injection for $450 that he swears runs good but no warranty

 

[mopar340dave]

See if he has a 89 or 90 360, they have the magnum style chambers and ports with the shaft mount rocker system and a factory roller cam.

You can also use just about any head you want on that roller block!

 

[fishy68]

See if he has a 89 or 90 360, they have the magnum style chambers and ports with the shaft mount rocker system and a factory roller cam.

You can also use just about any head you want on that roller block!

Are you sure they have magnum style chambers? I haven't seen any but from everything I've read the 360's still had open chambers until 93 when the 360 magnum came out. Those were the 308 heads weren't they? I'm not an expert nor have I seen any 308's in person but I have read many times they are open chambers. Only the 302 heads used on 318's were closed chambers.

 

[dgc333]

Yes, the late 80's 360's used the 308 head. Its an open chamber head like all previous 340/360 heads but does have improved ports similar to the magnum head.

 

[sharpie]

If you're not particular about having a Magnum motor, go with a late (87+) LA engine instead. I am deep into my 5.9L Magnum build, but I would do a 360 if I could. Unfortunately, the oiling passages in the Magnum block make the magnum build very expensive, because you have to purchase magnum-only heads if your stock heads are cracked between the valve seats (which they are prone to do). Here's why I'd go with an LA:

1. more aftermarket parts
2. can obtain hydraulic roller cam/lifters
3. more head options - Magnum or LA style
4. more plentiful.

To be honest, the only reason I'm building a 5.9 Magnum is because I got the long block for free. If the heads weren't cracked, I'd have a running motor by now on the cheap.

 

['64 Cuda]

Somebody here told me they were able to drill the oiling passages into the deck surface on a Magnum block to oil the LA style heads.

 

[dgc333]

If you're not particular about having a Magnum motor, go with a late (87+) LA engine instead. I am deep into my 5.9L Magnum build, but I would do a 360 if I could. Unfortunately, the oiling passages in the Magnum block make the magnum build very expensive, because you have to purchase magnum-only heads if your stock heads are cracked between the valve seats (which they are prone to do). Here's why I'd go with an LA:

1. more aftermarket parts
2. can obtain hydraulic roller cam/lifters
3. more head options - Magnum or LA style
4. more plentiful.

To be honest, the only reason I'm building a 5.9 Magnum is because I got the long block for free. If the heads weren't cracked, I'd have a running motor by now on the cheap.

I don't know if I can agree with all your reasoning.

1. Other than heads and intakes virtually anything else that fits an LA will work on a magnum.
2 All magnums came from the factory with roller cams and lifters and the magnum stuff is dirt cheap compared to the retro fit roller lifters. The late 80's 360 with factory roller cams is no where near as common as a magnum 5.9.
3. True but the best factory head is the magnum. And the best intakes are available for either head style. Plus its easy and cheap to redrill magnum heads to accept an LA intake.
4. I would say its a whole bunch easier to locate a rebuildable 5.9 than a LA 360 these days.

 

[sharpie]

I don't know if I can agree with all your reasoning.

1. Other than heads and intakes virtually anything else that fits an LA will work on a magnum.
2 All magnums came from the factory with roller cams and lifters and the magnum stuff is dirt cheap compared to the retro fit roller lifters. The late 80's 360 with factory roller cams is no where near as common as a magnum 5.9.
3. True but the best factory head is the magnum. And the best intakes are available for either head style. Plus its easy and cheap to redrill magnum heads to accept an LA intake.
4. I would say its a whole bunch easier to locate a rebuildable 5.9 than a LA 360 these days.

Heads and intakes happen to generally be the most expensive parts of a motor build, discounting machine work. Everything else is generally under $300. Even EDL-7576 and 7577, LA and Magnum Air Gap Intakes respectively, have a $50 difference.

As for the roller cams, you are going to pay just as much for a custom-grind Magnum cam with a snout than a LA retrofit hydraulic roller cam.

Somebody here told me they were able to drill the oiling passages into the deck surface on a Magnum block to oil the LA style heads.

You are, but I have read that it isn't worth the effort.

 

[fstfish66]

can you get an after market cam for a magnum,that accepts a fuel pump eccentric ?

yes you need the proper flex plate from a magnum 5.9 to mate to your 904 or 727, tranny,,i bought one on e bay for 10 bucks,,just look around,,try craigs list go to auto parts type in mopar,,

 

['64 Cuda]

You can get an aftermarket roller cam that will accept the fuel pump eccentric. If you can't find one, there's a cheap bolt on adapter that let's you use a fuel pump eccentric on a Magnum cam.

Roller cams do cost about the same whether they're for a Magnum or an LA engine, but factory Mopar roller lifters are about $100 a set & retro-fit roller lifters for the LA blocks are around $400 to $500 last time I checked.

 

[sharpie]

Just about anyone will custom grind a cam for you with a long snout and a hydraulic roller setup. I just got mine from Hughes:

108* lobe separation
214/218 duration @ .050
.520/.544 lift

 

[mopar340dave]

See if he has a 89 or 90 360, they have the magnum style chambers and ports with the shaft mount rocker system and a factory roller cam.

You can also use just about any head you want on that roller block!

The ports are similar to Magnum swirl ports but have open chambers. While it is generally accepted that the closed chamber is the way to go, I'll still smoke you with my 340 :-D w/open chamber X heads!
My main reason for suggesting these years is the block. It's all set-up for ya. Roller hydraulic cam with a block that oils the heads. I very much prefer the rocker shaft design over the individual pedestal design.

 

[dgc333]

Heads and intakes happen to generally be the most expensive parts of a motor build, discounting machine work. Everything else is generally under $300. Even EDL-7576 and 7577, LA and Magnum Air Gap Intakes respectively, have a $50 difference.

As for the roller cams, you are going to pay just as much for a custom-grind Magnum cam with a snout than a LA retrofit hydraulic roller cam.

When talking factory heads the price between LA and magnums is equivalent. The Edelbrock magnum heads are $20 more than the LA. It will cost a bunch less to put quality rockers on a magnum head compared to the LA shaft system.

The MP intakes between magnum and LA are the same and Professional Products has a very good intake that is drilled for both LA and magnum mounting.

Agreed yopu will pay the same for the cam but the retro fit roller lifters for a LA engine are approx $500 where factory magnum roller lifters can be had used for next to nothing or purcahsed new for less than $100 for a set.

 

[Tarr]

I have an 80 Step-Side that has a roller block 318 and the old LA type heads but it sounds like it has started to burn a couple of valves. I figured I could just go with a 360 for just a little more than rebuilding the 318.
Thanks.

 

[fstfish66]

so what has to be done to a 93/94 magnum 5.9 block to accept lets say " J " heads or some thing similar,,i know a guy with a 93/94 5.9 block,,

 

[sharpie]

so what has to be done to a 93/94 magnum 5.9 block to accept lets say " J " heads or some thing similar,,i know a guy with a 93/94 5.9 block,,

everything's the same except the oiling passages. I don't know exactly where they're different, but they are.

 

[fishy68]

The block on an LA 360 is drilled from the deck surface down to the cam bearing on each deck. This feeds oil through a port on the head to the rocker shaft. To use LA heads on a magnum block you have to drill those holes down to the intersect the cam bearings at the proper location which is the extra holes in the cam bearings. This is a very precise operation and can't be done with just a hand drill.

 

[fstfish66]

ok thanks,,, maybe il pick up the block any way