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361 Cam and Piston Suggestions

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Ben_10

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Hello all,

I'm planning on pulling the original 2-brl 361 out of my 1966 Plymouth Satellite for a reseal in the coming months and while I have the engine out I would like to put in a rowdier camshaft than original and maybe even some better pistons. This motor looks like its in great shape and I don't believe it needs machine work, with that being said this is new territory for me and I don't know what I'm looking at.

My question is what pistons and cam would you all recommend on a budget? I would like to note that I am putting a 4-brl carb on as well and I currently have 3.90 rear gears.

Thanks!
 
Your money would get you a lot more with a larger engine to start with. Put that 361 in storage.
Mike
 
I went down this route with the 361 in my Charger. My short block was in good shape, so I had the heads redone and added a small cam (204/214) which was close to the original 383 4 barrel grind, and a performer intake and four barrel. With the stock pistons and composition head gaskets compression was right at 8.5:1, and I think you would be hard pressed to find new pistons that would provide more compression. It ran well but I always felt like I needed more torque, especially because I am still running the stock 2.94 gears. You may be happier with it since you are running 3.91 gears. I ended up building a 400 which I am in the process of installing now. The original 361 and transmission is going under the work bench.
 
qkcuda said:
so I had the heads redone and added a small cam (204/214) which was close to the original 383 4 barrel grind
Click to expand...
what brand ? do you have the specs ? advertise duration, lift and LSA. Thanks.
 
I had a 361 in my old Coronet. (it was a pieced together car by the previous owner) I added a intake and 4 barrel. The ol' girl screamed. Probably a stock short block with miles on it so it was pretty loose. I floated the valves in that thing a few times doing smoky burnouts.

That 383 4 barrel cam or one just a bit bigger would be perfect. No need putting in something so big you loose what bottom end you have and need a high stall converter.
 
thinking 205-209 or 209-213 at .050 must be on a 110 LSA to keep the torque with that 8.5 compression. the 8.5 really bothers me. I would like to get it to 9:1 or 9.2:1
 
gtxrt said:
thinking 205-209 or 209-213 at .050 must be on a 110 LSA to keep the torque with that 8.5 compression. the 8.5 really bothers me. I would like to get it to 9:1 or 9.2:1
Click to expand...
I would go with the 209-213. Still not too radical but you will get a little chop with the 110°. Really, a half point of compression won't make much difference power wise.
 
gtxrt said:
what brand ? do you have the specs ? advertise duration, lift and LSA. Thanks.
Click to expand...

The cam I used was a Melling MTD2 which is available through Summit.

I was unable to upload the attachment with the specs. It can be looked up on Summit's website.
 
toolmanmike said:
I would go with the 209-213. Still not too radical but you will get a little chop with the 110°. Really, a half point of compression won't make much difference power wise.
Click to expand...
probably would help the bottom end a little. the good part is you should be able to run regular gas. ok the 209-213 has 467-476 lift on 110 LSA with 106 centerline should be good.
 
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