Optimal Year Models of 360 Engines to Look For

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Hot Rod 63 Valiant

Hot Rod 63 Valiant

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Ok, I have decided to build a 360 for our newest hot rod project. After a search, I've seen talk of 360 Magnums, LE, etc. but no one directly mentions what year models to look for or stay away from. When going to a salvage yard, searching the web, etc... What year model 360 engines should one look for to have a good platform to build a solid street/strip engine?

I am new to building Mopar engines, but have always had a lot of respect for them even though everyone I've built hot rods with are Chevy & Ford guys. I finally decided to build me a Mopar, but am doing as much homework as I can first.

Thanks in advance for any input,
Rob
 
Except for the Magnum, 1971 was the best. It had the highest compression.
 

Late 80s/early 90s LA roller block the rest are bs (it's the only 360 I'll buy/take)
 
seems like a silly question but will you be modding it at all?

look at the head casting numbers and if it has a 4bl or 2 bl carb when searching for motors
 
lol, thanks for the info guys. Yes, we do plan on modding it. Will have it balanced, clearances triple checked, extensive head work, racing oil pan, high volume oil pump, roller cam / lifters / rockers, etc... We will be building it to drive on the weekends around town & take to the strip occasionally.

I am always open to advise, one can never know enough about this stuff :thumblef:
 
duster wonder said:
seems like a silly question but will you be modding it at all?

look at the head casting numbers and if it has a 4bl or 2 bl carb when searching for motors
Click to expand...

all 360s use the same head casting whether is it s 4 bl or 2 bl...

the 71-73 are reported to have thicker cylinder walls...being that they are 40 yrs old..chance of finding one that has not been bored yet is slim...

89-91 come from the factory with OEM roller cams..and will allow the use of hydraulic roller cams (if you want to) with the oem set up...

92-? are magnums and there is a change in the oiling of the heads....from shaft mounted rockers to a pedestal style rocker with oiling thru the pushrod.

they are all excellent cores...just pick what fits your needs...or availability
 
I would say any you can get, never heard anything bad about a specific year, I would try for an early one. My dad has a unrestored 72 Fury 360 and it has J heads on it, I also bought a 71 360, it has J heads too.
 
late 80s early 90s roller block is best, but really any of them are good if its standard bore still
 
I like magnum motors 92+. Plenty out there now, roller cam and 1.92 intake/1.65 exhaust valves in the heads factory.
 
88-91 LA 360.....Roller Cam, 308' Heads.

:happy1:
 
I've done a few searches here & there. I'm still not sure, right now I'll just plan on trying to find a '87 - 91' 360 unless someone knows rather the 360's made after 1991 came factory with a roller cam.

Thanks,
Rob
 
Early casting = thicker cyl walls but no roller cam and roller for these is pric-e.
89-91 have roller from the factory and are only recommended to be bore .030 over. so you need a standard bore one to be safe.
Mag 360 92 and up have a roller cam from the factory but are a thin wall casting and shouldn't be bored past .030' and the head like to crack between the valves. most don't leak, but a crack in a water jacket Will Eventually leak.

i found a standard bore 72 360 and bored it .030. They had a lot of core shift back in the day so you can't be sure that the THICK wall casting is any better then the thin wall casting were the casting proses improved.

If your planing on putting after market head on like the RHS's or eddys then the cracking issue don't matter.

Note: i thing the thin wall casting started back in like.......1975 esh
 
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