Thoughts on this LA360 combo

[Devon Arden]

Good day people! Rather new here ..long time reader ..freshy poster

I recently acquired a late '79 aspen R/T that has had a LA360 put together in the end of 2021..it already has the parts in it im going to list but am adding aluminum heads to the mix..I am curious what you guys think of the combo and where ISH I might land powerwise ..thanks for your time guys!

mopar la 360 bored 30 over

Performance world 63171A-2 aluminum heads 179cc runner 63 cc combustion chamber and 2.02 valve (coming this christmas)

keith black kb107 pistons

comp cams 20-223-3 xe268 camshaft

weiand action + intake

holley 750 vac sec carb

Msd 6AL

Just had a 46rh transmission rebuilt with some nice billet parts and extra clutches and pimped out shift kit

Ford 8.8 rear end posi (unsure of ratio)

 

[Illahe]

Good day people! Rather new here ..long time reader ..freshy poster

I recently acquired a late '79 aspen R/T that has had a LA360 put together in the end of 2021..it already has the parts in it im going to list but am adding aluminum heads to the mix..I am curious what you guys think of the combo and where ISH I might land powerwise ..thanks for your time guys!

mopar la 360 bored 30 over

Performance world 63171A-2 aluminum heads 179cc runner 63 cc combustion chamber and 2.02 valve (coming this christmas)

keith black kb107 pistons

comp cams 20-223-3 xe268 camshaft

weiand action + intake

holley 750 vac sec carb

Msd 6AL

Just had a 46rh transmission rebuilt with some nice billet parts and extra clutches and pimped out shift kit

Ford 8.8 rear end posi (unsure of ratio)

View attachment 1716489912

ICON FHR Piston Set cheap insurance.

 

[Devon Arden]

ICON FHR Piston Set cheap insurance.

You just like that piston better ? It already has the kb107s inside of it right now

 

[Illahe]

You just like that piston better ? It already has the kb107s inside of it right now

Sorry, I misunderstood your post. Thought you were discussing an upcoming build.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Cool car! I'd say 360-375 HP possibly more if you can tune well. That is, until the Comp cam and lifters wipe lobes and kill lifters.

 

[Devon Arden]

Cool car! I'd say 360-375 HP possibly more if you can tune well. That is, until the Comp cam and lifters wipe lobes and kill lifters.

Why are we wiping cam lobes and lifters rusty!?!

 

[RustyRatRod]

Why are we wiping cam lobes and lifters rusty!?!

Because Comp has suffered from terribly inferior metallurgy for a long time now. Unless it's one from the mid to early 90s or before, I wouldn't trust one.

 

[Devon Arden]

What sparked me getting these heads in the very near future was I had a slight tick starting on the driver's side ..I was doing a leak down test to see how the health of the rings and valve seats are just for peace of mind
and while I was messing around doing the test ..I had the valve cover off of the driver's side taking a look to see if anyhting stood out ...I was checking for wobbly or loose pushrods and while i didnt seem to find anyhting at the time tha was sloppy or loose I grabbed a rocker where it seats on the top of the valve an was able to lift it up clean a clear from the top of the valve- depressing the pushrod down into the lifter with what I would say is damn near no effort ..I can push the rod right down into the lifter with what feels like only spring pressure fighting back ...no pump in the lifter ? I beleive the term is collapsed lifter ? It does pump up and running with only a slight tick ..but that worried me knowing it lost its pump within 20 min of doing leak down test ...and of course due to me depressing the plunger while the car was not running completely emptied it and when I did end up running it again it made a terrible racket till they pumped back up ..

So a set of lifters is in order...and while I got the intake off and lifters out ..no better time to bolt on some aluminum heads right ?!

I just hope it hasn't messed up a cam lobe ..I ordered a set of the 310303016 diamond like coated lifters to help reduce the break in risks (suggested by a 45 year tech at a local respected machine shop who loves mopar) as the dlc coating is hard and slick and is a better option when just changing lifters and not the cam (if the cam is okay)

 

[Devon Arden]

I am correct in calling it a collapsed lifter? I should not be able to push the push rod down with a lot of ease,correct?
Am I still in danger of wiping a cam lobe, if the lifter doesn't get fully pumped or retain its pump?... Seems like it would be if anything less pressure against the cam While acting as a spongy lifter? Or should I be expecting to find out that I need a new cam?