65 Satellite w/ 318 poly

Mopowababy · Dec 7, 2020

Motor wouldn’t turn over and removed heads to find 2 of the pistons had jellified. Thinking about sending block to machine shop to see if it’s salvageable. If it is what options do I have for getting the most hrs power out of that? Should I get a 360 block and keep the poly heads? I heard the LA parts for the heads aren’t interchangeable like the cam. Not sure how I should approach this project. My brother says I should shoot for a 426 max wedge but the rarity and expense throw me for a loop. How many ci can a 318 block go up too? I’m still learning about engines and mopar especially. Was thinking about buying a 97 dodge with a 5.9l 360 mag and swapping it in. Any and all advice welcome. I don’t want to disrespect the car gods by putting the wrong heart in this beauty.

toolmanmike · Dec 7, 2020

Mopowababy said:
Motor wouldn’t turn over and removed heads to find 2 of the pistons had jellified. Thinking about sending block to machine shop to see if it’s salvageable. If it is what options do I have for getting the most hrs power out of that? Should I get a 360 block and keep the poly heads? I heard the LA parts for the heads aren’t interchangeable like the cam. Not sure how I should approach this project. My brother says I should shoot for a 426 max wedge but the rarity and expense throw me for a loop. How many ci can a 318 block go up too? I’m still learning about engines and mopar especially. Was thinking about buying a 97 dodge with a 5.9l 360 mag and swapping it in. Any and all advice welcome. I don’t want to disrespect the car gods by putting the wrong heart in this beauty.

A 65 Sattelite with a Poly can be anything you want it to be. You can clone it to Max Wedge status or rebuild the poly or anything in between.

Mopowababy · Dec 7, 2020

toolmanmike said:
A 65 Sattelite with a Poly can be anything you want it to be. You can clone it to Max Wedge status or rebuild the poly or anything in between.

Been looking at Gary Palpovich polys. Would definitely love to pull Atleast 500 hrspwr out of this engine

Ron H · Dec 7, 2020

I have a poly rebuilt in my '63, bored .60 solid lifters, mild cam, edelbrock, headers, etc. Was to garner maybe 320 HP; but doesn't feel like the giddy-up it should have though is ok...peppy. More could have been done to hep the motor but didn't go that far. My 1st inclination was a 360 crate but got talked out of it given the potential poly's have. I think I'd a saved some coin with the crate to get some more horses/torque. Of course, depends on how much rubber you want to burn.

Mopowababy · Dec 7, 2020

Ron H said:
I have a poly rebuilt in my '63, bored .60 solid lifters, mild cam, edelbrock, headers, etc. Was to garner maybe 320 HP; but doesn't feel like the giddy-up it should have though is ok...peppy. More could have been done to hep the motor but didn't go that far. My 1st inclination was a 360 crate but got talked out of it given the potential poly's have. I think I'd a saved some coin with the crate to get some more horses/torque. Of course, depends on how much rubber you want to burn.

How big of a bore can these A blocks go?

toolmanmike · Dec 7, 2020

Mopowababy said:
How big of a bore can these A blocks go?

Have it checked to make sure.

toolmanmike · Dec 7, 2020

Ron H said:
I have a poly rebuilt in my '63, bored .60 solid lifters, mild cam, edelbrock, headers, etc. Was to garner maybe 320 HP; but doesn't feel like the giddy-up it should have though is ok...peppy. More could have been done to hep the motor but didn't go that far. My 1st inclination was a 360 crate but got talked out of it given the potential poly's have. I think I'd a saved some coin with the crate to get some more horses/torque. Of course, depends on how much rubber you want to burn.

What rear gear and tire size you running?

Ron H · Dec 7, 2020

Mopowababy said:
How big of a bore can these A blocks go?

There's a lot of iron in these blocks...have heard as much as .90 being done on them.

Ron H · Dec 7, 2020

toolmanmike said:
What rear gear and tire size you running?

'65 Coronet axle/housing 3:55 sure grip (was 3:23) went to 15" radials

Mopowababy · Dec 7, 2020

toolmanmike said:
Have it checked to make sure.

What should I have the machine shop check for?

1 Wild R/T · Dec 7, 2020

Mopowababy said:
What should I have the machine shop check for?

Have the block sonic checked..... They'll be able to give you a good idea of how much you have to work with....

Do you work @ Sunmaid?

toolmanmike · Dec 7, 2020

Mopowababy said:
What should I have the machine shop check for?

They can magnaglow it to check for cracks and check the bore thickness so you know how far you can go overbore. Probably best to see what Poly pistons are available. You can stroke them as well turning them into 390+ cube engines.

1 Wild R/T · Dec 7, 2020

Honestly if you want anywhere near 500 HP I'd drop the poly & grab a 440... Streetable 500 HP is pretty easy...

You can take the poly out to 390, maybe 400... But the heads are gonna limit power.... Yeah with enough $$$ you might get 500 HP but it wouldn't be much fun on the street....

1 Wild R/T · Dec 7, 2020

1 Wild R/T said:
Honestly if you want anywhere near 500 HP I'd drop the poly & grab a 440... Streetable 500 HP is pretty easy...

You can take the poly out to 390, maybe 400... But the heads are gonna limit power.... Yeah with enough $$$ you might get 500 HP but it wouldn't be much fun on the street....

Or a 400, low deck, bigger bore, stronger so it'll take more abuse... Check out 440 Source..

http://store.440source.com/Stroker-Kits/products/3/

http://store.440source.com/Cylinder-Heads-Components/departments/1/

Mopowababy · Dec 7, 2020

1 Wild R/T said:
Honestly if you want anywhere near 500 HP I'd drop the poly & grab a 440... Streetable 500 HP is pretty easy...

You can take the poly out to 390, maybe 400... But the heads are gonna limit power.... Yeah with enough $$$ you might get 500 HP but it wouldn't be much fun on the street....

500hp wouldn’t be fun?

1 Wild R/T · Dec 7, 2020

Mopowababy said:
500hp wouldn’t be fun?

500 Horsepower with gobs of torque starting below 2000 rpms is fun, 500 Horsepower that only shows up when your near redline isn't really the way to have fun on the street...

peabodyracin · Dec 7, 2020

I've seen several guys determined to turn a poly into a power house. It certainly can be done. The difficulty is the expense involved for things like pistons, as has already been pointed out. The heads have also been mentioned. Camshaft, valve springs, headers and intake manifold add to the bill in a hurry.

One guy I knew pretty well spent a fortune boring one, buying a 2X4 intake, special cam, etc, etc. When it was all done the car ran OK, but sure wasn't worth the trouble or expense. He ended up wishing he'd gone with a 360 crate engine, realizing he'd have been money and time ahead and had a stronger engine when done.

No offense but if you're just getting to know Mopars, starting with the poly will quickly frustrate you. You'd be happier in the long run building a B block (as has also been already pointed out) the specifics of which have already been sorted out for you through a number of different suppliers. Longer term, consider the resale value of the Satellite; which engine do you think would excite a buyer more?

66 Sat · Dec 7, 2020

A poly stroker with 400hp and 400+ lbs ft should make for a fun street car. Talk to Gary Pavlovich once you have the verdict from the machine shop, and then cost out all the options. A 440 is obviously a good option, or a 408 small block crate engine. The stroked poly will be more effort to build and possibly more expensive, but you end up with something unique, that looks great when you pop the hood.
I love my 318 poly but I wish I'd gone the extra mile and stroked it.

1 Wild R/T · Dec 7, 2020

That's another good option, a stroked 360 makes a 408, it'll bolt to your trans, it'll bolt to your mounts with minor mods, it can make 500 horsepower pretty easily....

Polys are cool but not my first choice..

Big Bad Dad · Dec 7, 2020

What do you mean by two pistons were "jellified"?? I worked in an automotive engine shop for years, and have never heard this terminology...

65 Satellite w/ 318 poly

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