I like my 318 if it was a big block i'd love it! lol only problem with mine is the guy i bought it from built it and put 360 heads on it but i don't think he got the right pistons because i only get like 10mpg in mine...
WHOA! 10mpg's is a huge problem. If you so desired to improve the teen, sell/trade the 360 heads in favor for 318 heads. 302 series heads are very good. If they need to be rebuilt, I suggest a 1.60 exhaust valve over the 1.5 A 1.88 valve works well with a 340 cam or better. (Bigger) Also bowl porting at that level, but thats another story.....
A MSD is excellent in finding mileage.
I stongly suggest getting the book How To Hot Rod Small-Block Mopar Engines by Larry Shepard or Mopar Performance book and read read read.Don't make my mistakes and ask any question.No Question Is Dumb.If you can't learn what you should,you will sure learn what not to do.
Amen! Great advice!
This has been a real informative thread,. What would you do different if you built a 360? Bigger exhaust ,bigger cam?
As a performance machine?
straighten out that block right! Overbore only if needed to.
KB-107 flat top zero deck height intalled slugs.
Federal Mougal has very similar pistons, 2 sets at a ever so slightly lower height. So more streetabl;e ratos can be selected with smaller cams that do not bleed off compresion as well as larger cams would do.
A cam that is used in your cruiseing RPM range (Pay attention to intake duration @ 050 and the manufactures description of the cam) with an amount of lift that doesn't exceed the air flow abilties of the head used. Which brings me too..........
Heads; OOTB Edelbrock heads need to be examined and possibley touched up. I still think there a good deal if your goal is a very high street performance engine.
INDY's new S/B head. Excellent street machine material. Check with Brain (ou812) over at FABO. Well worth your time!
OE iron heads, great for cruiser to street machine duties. Probably cheaper to do than the above choices. There performance ceiling is limited...or out done by the above heads. But still very good to use. Dead reliable and solid choice for longevity.
Headers. I skip the 1 size fits all style. I hate them and there none changed defective 30+ year old design.
IMO, use ethier;
Doug's - good
tti's- supieror all around
Hooker Super Comps - cheaper than tti's a little more race styled.
All fit great and should be connected to a min. of 2-1/2 exhaust.
RPM, or Stealth/action plus from Weiand are excelent intakes.
Cfm's float between actual build. 600 - 750 will do most chores.
(I like the TQ myself. but any carb tuned well is a good carb to run.)