361 performance?

[ir3333]

In the land of 500 hp big blocks and big block strokers who drive a B body with a 361 that is mostly stock or lightly modified? The 4 barrel models are advertised at 305 hp and around 400 lbs. of torque.
are these good cruisers with acceptable power?

 

[Jerry Hall]

In the land of 500 hp big blocks and big block strokers who drive a B body with a 361 that is mostly stock or lightly modified? The 4 barrel models are advertised at 305 hp and around 400 lbs. of torque.
are these good cruisers with acceptable power?

Yes, I would think so. Very reliable and powerful enough for any cruiser.

 

[Darter6]

A 4 barrel, a HP 383 spec cam and a good exhaust and you would never know it wasn't a 383.
Got a 361 on my engine stand now. Going to get it built this winter.
It's almost like saying a 340 or a 360 ?
The biggest problem is pistons for the 361. For good ones they have to be custom made.Nothing but stock replacements.

 

[ir3333]

what are the stock valve sizes in the 361 motors...and i think they were rated for 9.2:1 compression.
Wonder what the actual compression was?

 

[64fury74charger]

The 361 has plenty of power and looks the same under the hood as any other b block. Our 64 Sport Fury rolls out very well and has been reliable. Starts every time and runs smooth down the road. Has a mild purple cam and Edelbrock carburetor for now. We plan on adding the same Weiand intake that we just did on the Charger. Hood clearance is close but the tape measure says it will clear.

Right now I’m finishing the efi install on the Charger and then we can get the Fury on deck.

 

[qkcuda]

I just rebuilt the top end of my 1966 361. The stock pistons are .065 in the hole. With the stock 516 heads, my calculated compression ratio was right at 8.5:1. I added an Edelbrock Performer Plus cam, and the specs are very close to the stock 383 four barrel cam of the day. The car had already been converted to dual exhaust. I also added a Performer intake and a 650 Street Demon carb. I have nothing to compare it to, but the car is a nice cruiser and has good passing power. It's not much off a dead stop, but then again it still has the stock 2.94 gears. I believe the 4 barrel 383's would have had 3.23 gears.

 

[#41]

I had a 361 in my 61 Chrysler and I was happy with it as a cruiser. They feel a lot like a 383, which is of course would be expected.

 

[ir3333]

I just rebuilt the top end of my 1966 361. I have nothing to compare it to, but the car is a nice cruiser and has good passing power. It's not much off a dead stop, but then again it still has the stock 2.94 gears. I believe the 4 barrel 383's would have had 3.23 gears.

and a bit of a converter would easily wake the lo end up. 400 ft. lbs of torque is plenty.

 

[69 Sleeper Bee]

what are the stock valve sizes in the 361 motors...and i think they were rated for 9.2:1 compression.
Wonder what the actual compression was?

The heads are the same as any other b block. Same size valves
1959 361 2bbl made 305 hp and 400 lbs tq.
1960 361 2bbl made 295 hp and 390 lbs tq.
They started reducing hp after that but these are great motors and add on 4 bbl / cam / headers or duals and you can really wake one up.

 

[slepr1]

are these good cruisers with acceptable power?

I would say its in the eye of the beholder. I have a 500hp BB and its both. I also have a stockish BB in my cuda and its both also. If you want a good cruiser just keep it stock for less breakdown worries imo.

 

[66Satellite47]

My bet is a 361 with the proper 4 BBL intake and moderate carb will doo fine. Add headers and you will be happy.
My 383 2bbl upgraded to a CH4B intake, 3310-1 Holley 780 and cheap 1 3/4 headers was very strong on the street even with the 2bbl cam. A 361 should be about the same. A better cam should be good.

 

[Red63440]

I just pulled my original 1964 361 and installed a 1970 383.
I started by installing a Edelbrock Performer intake with a Edelbrock 650 carb. The previous owner had already installed a 500 cfm 2 barrel Holley with an adapter and it ran well. He also installed electronic ignition and dual exhaust and added a shift kit in the original push button. He also changed out the 3.23 open differential to a 3.55 open and had the trunnion style drive shaft by adding stub shafts to run regular universals.
The car was fast IMO, it would put you back in your seat fast and when manually shifted it would pull the rear of the car to the right.
The reason I made the change was because the guides and seals on the 516 heads were shot. I could have had them rebuilt but I was able to purchase a very low mileage 1970 383 HP with a very fresh set of 516 heads with the larger 1.74 exhaust valves and mild porting and gasket matched for a few hundred more than it would have cost me to do just the heads.
The engines look the same and some of the parts on the 361 were switched over to the 383. The 3 photos posted go from how it looks now, how the 361 looked after the update and then the 361 as it was when I received it.

383

361 updated

361 as received

 

[Pops1967GTX]

good read and information on B blocks

http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/cgi-...683598&action=viewad&categoryid=9950393898760

 

[66Satellite47]

Of course the 516 heads, upgraded to the 1.74 ex valves, is a big help. My advice of course is basic pocket porting the 516's with the 1.74 makes them do as well as any 906's with a moderate cam and RPM.