66 Satellite Engine Swap Options

Thanks upfront. I'm considering an engine swap. My application is street, cruise, and even long drives (weekend driver). I want a sporty muscle car but am not interested in et's or burn outs. The factory set up is a 361B, 727, PS, AC with the 2.94 rear gear. The 361 is starting to lose compression and vacuum so it will need to go. I am considering doing a complete crate engine. Since I'm not interested in 500+Hp I could go with another low deck 383/400. There is also an option to swap in a 340 or 360LA. I realize this requires a small block 727 but I figure it is smart to do tranny work while doing the swap so either way the tranny gets redone. Has anyone gone from a 361 down to a small block? Comment and ideas are welcome. My previous experience with a 440RB (had a 69 Coronet) is it just gets too hot as a driver. :thinker:

Since your not interested in anything fun.....just kidding....why not just do a mild 383 that will drop right in and drive nicely.

Jeff_383 said:

Since your not interested in anything fun.....just kidding....why not just do a mild 383 that will drop right in and drive nicely.

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ewolfe said:

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383 2-barrel is a great street ride. Or, 383 with an old-school (~ 450 CFM) Carter AFB. They have really good mid/low throttle response (read "torque"). That's what I like on the street.
I've found that a (bigger) Edelbrock will have better top end but the snappy pedal response just isn't there. That's my 2c, anyway.

The 361 that is in your car will fit you needs. Why not rebuild?

If not rebuild a crate long block from someone lime CME, MRI (a For B Bodies supporter) or others would fill your wants and keep the car stock looking.

b-block 400's are still fairly easy to find if you aren't in a hurry.they run nicely,will work with your stock brackets etc and will deliver fair mileage if you don't" get in it" to much .with a thermoquad [stock]carb in good working order you can achieve 2 bbl mileage or maybe better,and still jump on it once in a while to get your jollies.the 400 should cool a little beter than a 361 and not vapor lock.
I agree though that if you have the original 361 for your car I would rebuild it.change the carb ,get a better fan and flow check the rad.keep the original parts ,or if you swap keep the original engine and parts.
if you go small block everything that touches the engine has to change except maybe the accelerator cable and wireing!

Jim Bob The Dancing Bear said:

The 361 that is in your car will fit you needs. Why not rebuild?

If not rebuild a crate long block from someone lime CME, MRI (a For B Bodies supporter) or others would fill your wants and keep the car stock looking.

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Agreed. Price compare the swap(s) you are contemplating and the cost to rebuild what you have before making a commitment. Include ALL parts! I think you will find rebuilding what you have will be the least expensive - least modifications way to go.

Had my 727 completely rebuilt for about $600 by a local shop (You are in HI, so I don't know what the going rate would be). Removal and install is usually where all the cost lies. do this yourself and save a bundle.

Had the Poly 318 reworked for about $4,500 (Removal and install myself). That was all replacement parts and included the following labor:
- heads & block hot tanked and 'magged' for cracks
- cylinders bored .040 over (two of them didn't get 'round' until .035)
- crank polished
- rotating assembly balanced
- original cam sent off to Schneider to be re-ground (less than half the price of a new one)
- heads cut for 2.02 exh/ 1.60 int valves (some basic cleanup porting was done as well)
- heads assembled
- cam bearings installed

I saved $350 by doing the engine assembly myself. Swapped on a factory 4bbl manifold from a `62 Poly...finished it off with a Edelbrock 650 AVS and TTi headers w/ 2 1/2" duals. The money saved on trans & engine work enabled me to purchase the high end exhaust system...which made a noticeable performance difference from the old 'log style' manifolds. The factory log style manifolds were very restricting.

Good luck either way you go!

I'd imagine since your in Hawaii your options are limited and are expensive, I dunno just assuming here. A 360 wouldn't be terrible, but going from a Big Block to a small block seems quite in reverse from popular theory.

Not that you saying you should do this, but a 361 can be stroked.

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/1401-mopar-412-big-block/

If you can find pistons for your 361, I say just rebuild that.

Thanks for comments. Although I have not completely researched the 361 piston options, I understand this is the issue with rebuilding a 361 (might need custom pistons). The car is still in Nebraska waiting my return. I would be interested in any past experiences with CME and MRI? Finally, what is the longevity/reliability with a stroked engine (can this shorten the life of the engine)?