• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

318 small block help needed please!

Pull all the spark plugs and see how hard the motor turns over using a breaker bar or big ratchet on the damper bolt.
 
PRHeads said:
Pull all the spark plugs and see how hard the motor turns over using a breaker bar or big ratchet on the damper bolt.
Click to expand...

Actually just came in from the garage. I pulled all the plugs, numbered them and inspected them for signs of damage or heat. All look perfect. With all plug removed I went ahead and tried to turn the engine over by hand, not a chance, still rock solid. So i poured in some marvel mystery oil into all the cylinders. Going to let it sit for the day and see what i got. If it still doesn't budge, I'm going to pour it down the carb too to see if maybe the valves are all the culprit.
 
With all plug removed I went ahead and tried to turn the engine over by hand, not a chance, still rock solid.
Click to expand...

You used something like a large breaker bar or ratchet?

If the crank won’t budge with a breaker bar on it....... whatever the problem is....... it can’t be solved with marvel mystery oil.
 
Did you look and see if the starter is stuck engaged, and thats why the motor wont turn over now?? I actually had that happen on a van once.... engine running with starter bendix OUT.... cooked the starter, and obviously never worked again.
 
[QUOTE="If the crank won’t budge with a breaker bar on it....... whatever the problem is....... it can’t be solved with marvel mystery oil.[/QUOTE]

Well actually i never claimed it would fix or solve anything. I just knew of the track record of it freeing up seized and rusted parts. And 4 days after pouring it into the cylinders and down the car the engine now turns over freely!
 
Lefty71 said:
Did you look and see if the starter is stuck engaged, and thats why the motor wont turn over now?? I actually had that happen on a van once.... engine running with starter bendix OUT.... cooked the starter, and obviously never worked again.
Click to expand...

As I posted in the original post, i checked the starter and it was not engaged, or had any abnormal damage or chipped teeth on the starter nor the flywheel. Either way that side was fine
 
So now that it was turning over I've decided to compression test it. The results weren't great, looks like its time for a rebuild or engine swap. Suggestions? 340la or 408 stroker?
 
.020-.030 over stroker, tight quench -dish sets moderate compression
heads are key
 
Mopar4Speed said:
So now that it was turning over I've decided to compression test it. The results weren't great, looks like its time for a rebuild or engine swap. Suggestions? 340la or 408 stroker?
Click to expand...
If your not doing a stock rebuild, then the 318 can be given a 4.0 arm easy. At .030 X a 4.0 arm, it equals 390 cubes.

If a 4.0 arm in a .030 over 318 doesn’t do it for you, then on the cheap, I’d look to a 5.9 w/low miles, give it headers into a 2-1/2 exhaust & a RPM intake. Cam it as needed.
 
So.....why was it stuck exactly??? Still don't know??
 
Let me see what the problem is..................

crystal ball.jpg
 
Mopar4Speed said:
Hi, so i have a 318 with 57k original miles on it. It ran great and I refreshed it approx 7-8 years ago. Cam looked ok, but I did replace the valves, springs and keepers. I compression tested the engine before disassembly and all were around 155, except cylinder 1 was 150. Still within spec. I put on a pertronix ignitor 3 billet dizzy and upgraded to a roller timing chain. It has been running great since the rebuild. Today when driving a short trip, about 6 miles, the car quit on me doing 30mph. I put the trans in neutral and tried to restart with the key. It just made a click sound from the starter. Luckily I was on a hill downward and I just put it in second and popped the clutch and it fired up right away, no issues or noises. Drove it extra 300 feet back to my driveway (had the same power and smoothness as normal) and I shut the car off. Tried to start it again and I get the same audible starter click. So i got my battery tester and the battery was 12.5V 749CCA (800CCA rating). So I also went through all the wires and fuses and could not find anything out of place, apart from maybe the fusible link which I haven't checked, but I don't think it's the battery or gauges/wiring. Waited for the car to cool down and jacked it up and got underneath to see if the starter was perhaps not retracting from the flywheel but it was as normal. No damage on flywheel or ring gear teeth. Car did not overheat either, gauge was in the normal range and the thermostat was open which i confirmed after checking the temps on the upper and lower hose. Engine oil is on the full and clean as well. I have yet to pull the valve cover to check for any metal filings or signs of damage. I did try to get the engine turned over by hand but it's stuck (tried going clockwise and counterclockwise). So what I'm asking from the community here is if any has experienced anything like this and has some insight on what may be going on. I am hoping the rings are not seized and thinking if maybe it could be the cam/bearings binding inside causing the engine to hang up. It ran great up until it quit the first time and ran great with no knocking or grinding after starting it with the clutch. Thank you in advance
Click to expand...
Dont do too deep in the old Mopars they were designed to fix
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
Need help with starter
2 3
Replies
40
Views
2K
69a100
6
hunt2elk
Check the balance of your flywheels
2
Replies
22
Views
1K
fourgearsavoy
fourgearsavoy
nutz4spd
Help with flywheel
Replies
10
Views
735
AR67GTX
AR67GTX
Encswsm
B body small block headers.
Replies
5
Views
415
71Beeper
71Beeper
B
Has anyone seen this while installing a big block in place of a small block?
Replies
18
Views
1K
Boris7K
B
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top