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Happy 318 Day

toolmanmike

Henchman #2
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3-18-2026

Whether you own a Poly, an LA, or one of each, today is the day to celebrate Mopar's workhorse, the 318. They used them in cars, pick ups, trucks and even motorhomes. You might even find one in some farm equipment.

Show yours off and post up the strangest place you have seen one used.

Semi Hemi.jpg


4-12-18 175.jpg
 
We still had 318 Poly's in Canada through 1967.
In 1969, my future wife's Dad bought a 318LA marine conversion motor to replace the aging Ford Y-block in his boat. Along with all the paperwork for this purchase, came a pair of SuperBee decals. They were the same size as the quarter panel decals on the cars, but featured the 'Bee on a surf board, with a wake behind it. Since I had just bought a new 1969 SuperBee, he gave these unique decals to me. Over the years, I have lost them.
 
I had zero idea of what a Polyhead 318 was when I met my father in law who owned this ‘66 coronet convertible . Now that we are its caretaker I have come to appreciate it’s unique valve train set up
IMG_2095.jpeg
 
Hats off to them, one of the toughest engines ever built.
:thumbsup:
The LA 318 was like the Honda/Toyota type engine for it's time. It was durable, reliable, made moderate power with low compression and very mild camshaft timing. They ran great for a long time even with limited maintenance and Ma Mopar put these engines in just about every car and truck model that was sold.
The 318 WILL Run !
 
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The newer version Magnum in this 5.2ltr/318cid 1999 Dakota SLT 4x4
it's a classic now, 27 y/o w/62k miles

That reminds me...

I need to take a/some Photo/s of the engine, only noticeable mods
are the 1/2" swirl spacer under the TB
AEM a 4" alum. intake tube & hat, gauze cone filter inside the airbox
only internals it has 1.7:1 HS Roller rockers, that really woke it up
& has a Hypertech tune
& a Flowmasters 3" cat back mandrel bent exhaust w/Delta Series 50
out the PS rear, w/4" stainless tip

1999 Dakota SLT 4wd Magnum - New Wheels & Tires 019.JPG


1999 Dakota SLT 4wd Magnum - New Wheels & Tires 004.JPG


1999 Dakota SLT 4wd 318cid - 5.2ltr amgnum Engine 62k miles 006.JPG


1999 Dakota SLT 4wd 318cid - 5.2ltr amgnum Engine 62k miles 005.JPG

it's dirtier than I'd like, but it is my daily driver, time of a bath
1999 Dakota SLT 4wd 318cid - 5.2ltr amgnum Engine 62k miles 003.JPG


1999 Dakota SLT 4wd 318cid - 5.2ltr amgnum Engine 62k miles 004.JPG
 
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The "workhorse".

:thumbsup:
 
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