1962 361

[04 Diesel]

Found a 62 361 motor for sale, tell me about this motor please. Will it bolt up to a 727?

 

[Garys1969RR]

All I know is that the 361 has the same stroke as a 383, but a cyl bore of 4.125" as opposed to 4.25" for the 383. If memory serves me correctly. The block height should be the same as a 383 at 9.98". There were some 383s built with a deck height the same as a raised block, but they are pretty rare. Not sure if any 361s were built that way.

 

[Deleted member 214]

Same basic block as a 383, just smaller bore (4.125 vs. 4.25). They used them in cars in the early 60s, and in trucks a lot longer. Intakes, heads, cams, distributors, etc. are interchangeable. A big block bolt pattern 727 will bolt right up. However, pistons are hard to find and the small bore restricts its breathing. Not a good base for a performance motor - it would cost more to rebuild a 361 than a 383 and it would make less power.

 

[Garys1969RR]

The tall deck or RB engines have a crankshaft centerline to deck distance of 10.725"

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I am fairly sure that your 361 is not a raised block, or RB type.

 

[A383Wing]

361 is same as regular 383 engines...all parts will bolt up,and it will bolt to a 727

 

[64BEL]

Check to see if it's an HP. It would be stamped on the pad next to the distributor. I had a 361 HP that was kind of cool. It had a dual point distributor, 4bbl AFB, and a bumpier cam. I didn't know there was a 361 HP until I bought it.

 

[robinsonwr]

All I know is that the 361 has the same stroke as a 383, but a cyl bore of 4.125" as opposed to 4.25" for the 383. If memory serves me correctly. The block height should be the same as a 383 at 9.98". There were some 383s built with a deck height the same as a raised block, but they are pretty rare. Not sure if any 361s were built that way.

NO RB 361's built only 383's.

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Same basic block as a 383, just smaller bore (4.125 vs. 4.25). They used them in cars in the early 60s, and in trucks a lot longer. Intakes, heads, cams, distributors, etc. are interchangeable. A big block bolt pattern 727 will bolt right up. However, pistons are hard to find and the small bore restricts its breathing. Not a good base for a performance motor - it would cost more to rebuild a 361 than a 383 and it would make less power.

Man you said a mouthful there about costing more. Not much out there for pistons on a 361. I am saving my 361 for a stock rebuild in the future. Found some cast piston sets for $450.00+.

 

[Meep-Meep]

361 is a small bore 383 and all parts (cept pistons) will interchange. X2 on the piston availability issues and price.

 

[04 Diesel]

I looked at the 361 today and I did not buy it yet, it did not have heads on it, so I would have to find some heads for it. He is asking $100, not sure what to do. Does any one know what the hp and torque is on this motor?

 

[Photon440]

With no heads, no torque or hp at all. But they had different versions. Low hp. truck engines were under 200 hp. On the other hand there was a 2 X 4 bbl version in 1960 that pushed 310 hp.

http://www.allpar.com/mopar/b-engines.html Info from allpar.

 

[A383Wing]

stock HP on the 361 was 290hp in 66 if I remember

 

[Moparsmitty]

Personally, I wouldn't put any money into a 361 if I had any other choice. A 440 or even a 383 would be a much better place to put your motor money. Much more potential. Even a mid 70s low compression motorhome 440 would run circles around a 361.

 

[04 Diesel]

ok, I also found a 67 or 68 383. Complete motor for $150, the owner doesn't know anything about it.

 

[Garys1969RR]

I looked at the 361 today and I did not buy it yet, it did not have heads on it, so I would have to find some heads for it. He is asking $100, not sure what to do. Does any one know what the hp and torque is on this motor?

Just exactly why do you want to buy a 361? What did you plan to do with it, build a coffee table? Lol. They really aren't good for much other than maybe a truck motor. The 383 and 400 make more power, and can be bought most places for around $200 or less. I have even seen 440s for $250. The 350 and 361 was just the beginning of the big block Chrysler development. With a longer stroke and taller deck height the 361 evolved into the raised block 413, 426 and 440. And variations of those are now pushing over 500 cubic inches. If your looking for torque and horsepower remember that cubic inches of displacement works. The 361 is a thing from the past. Someone entered one in an engine build contest, and the bore was so small that the valves hit the cyl wall and blew the engine up. Stick with an engine like a 383 or 400 that you can still get parts for. Good luck

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An old saying goes: There aint no replacement for displacement

 

[04 Diesel]

Just exactly why do you want to buy a 361? What did you plan to do with it, build a coffee table? Lol. They really aren't good for much other than maybe a truck motor. The 383 and 400 make more power, and can be bought most places for around $200 or less. I have even seen 440s for $250. The 350 and 361 was just the beginning of the big block Chrysler development. With a longer stroke and taller deck height the 361 evolved into the raised block 413, 426 and 440. And variations of those are now pushing over 500 cubic inches. If your looking for torque and horsepower remember that cubic inches of displacement works. The 361 is a thing from the past. Someone entered one in an engine build contest, and the bore was so small that the valves hit the cyl wall and blew the engine up. Stick with an engine like a 383 or 400 that you can still get parts for. Good luck

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An old saying goes: There aint no replacement for displacement

My plan is to put it in my 76 W100 or when I get another Power wagon put it in there. I am not looking for speed, I want a good low end torque motor. I might go with the 383, I am still thinking about a 413 too.

 

[Deleted member 214]

My plan is to put it in my 76 W100 or when I get another Power wagon put it in there. I am not looking for speed, I want a good low end torque motor. I might go with the 383, I am still thinking about a 413 too.

If it is priced cheap and doesn't need a rebuild, you can drop it in and drive the truck now while building the torque monster of your dreams as time and money allows.

 

[Garys1969RR]

The 413 will produce a lot more torque than the 361. There were a lot of 413 truck and motor home engines.

 

[04 Diesel]

The 413 will produce a lot more torque than the 361. There were a lot of 413 truck and motor home engines.

How about a 68 383 2 barrel?

 

[Garys1969RR]

A 383 2 barrel can run well. Good torque, not a lot of top end power. Although it would prob have the 906 heads, which were used on HP and Magnum engines. I believe they were used on all the big blocks that year. If you put a 4 barrel intake on it, and Closed chamber heads, that would boost your C/R a little, and really wake that motor up. Prob your best option so far.

 

[Deleted member 214]

A 383 2 barrel can run well. Good torque, not a lot of top end power. Although it would prob have the 906 heads, which were used on HP and Magnum engines. I believe they were used on all the big blocks that year. If you put a 4 barrel intake on it, and Closed chamber heads, that would boost your C/R a little, and really wake that motor up. Prob your best option so far.

x2.