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**stamp** · 07-29-2010, 03:19 AM

i just bought a (mid 80s?) ramcharger 4x4for 5 hundy bucks
(pics and specs upon delivery)

but it had a 360 that was frozen that he is pulling out for me... after doing some research (about 20 rushed minutes ealier today) and not finding much at all except that the 318 was the base motor and therefore alot more plentiful which brings me to my question

is the 318 and the 360 interchangeable?

is there any significant advantages to going back with the 360?

is there anything i should look out for in this year range???

jeepgod · 07-29-2010, 10:16 AM

Yes, the 318 and 360 are interchangeable just like the chevy 305 and 350. A 360 is a better engine to modify and more opportunity than the 318 from what the rodding community says and from what I have seen, there is more available for the 360. I think it has a lot ot do with the heads and stuff. I am not an excpert in this area but this is what I found out after having a Dakota with a 318 in it and wanting to hop it up.......they were playing the 318 off as junk but the 318 is not a piece of junk and actually is not a bad engine......BUT it is less powerful than the 360.

**stamp** · 07-29-2010, 10:45 AM

thank you ... so carb'd 360 it is

jeepgod · 07-29-2010, 11:40 AM

Good choice

Sounds like you got a good buy if the body is in good shape, they make awesome mudders and stuff!

Stamp, I do not know how familiar you are with those things but something to watch out for is the charcoal canisters.....they can make an engine run like crap.

**stamp** · 07-29-2010, 01:04 PM

whats a charchoal canister?

wait emissions right?

ew...

maxwedge · 10-13-2010, 09:06 PM

Yes the main differance is the heads the 360 having a better breathing head all parts are basically interchangeable between the 318 to 360 with the exception being the 360 is externally balanced and the 318 being interally balanced about the only other thing being a 1/4 inch differance on the passenger side motor mount. Also the 273 and 340 are also part of the LA family of these motors.

**stamp** · 10-13-2010, 10:49 PM

the 340 is impossible to find tho . im actually looking for an externally balanced 4 inch crank for this thing now so i will be up around 408 cid (i wish it was the same as the chevy 400 4 inch crank)
but for now i just parked it in my garage about to sand it back down and repaint figure out my interior wiring install a stereo and possibly rhynoline the exterior (before paint). havnt decided yet

89xj4.7 · 10-13-2010, 11:31 PM

i have a 97 dodge 2500 with the 360... bought it with 7 miles. now has over 300k on it and it still runs strong.. only problem it has is the rear freeze plug is leaking.. which i gotta pull the motor out to fix. while its out i figure i might as well rebuild it.. for extra power im doing the 408 stroker kit. picked it all up for 600.00 . over all ive been really happy with the 360.... i put it up with my all time fav motor, ford 5.8 (351ci) thats in my 92 f150.

**CT99XJ** · 10-14-2010, 12:00 AM

360 all the way. ****'s a mint engine.

**stamp** · 10-14-2010, 12:55 AM

where did you pick up your stroker kit 89?

she may not be pretty . she may leak oil. and she may be loud but she starts every time and beast its self out of everywhere ive put it so far.

im a big fan of the 360 so far

89xj4.7 · 10-14-2010, 06:46 PM

got it from an old man i know. hes a big dodge/mopor nut. was gonna build a 408 for his dakota..but is now doing a turbo motor. hes has a dodge ram daytona hemi. had a big twin turbo set up put on it.. fun truck.. just over 700 at the wheels quiet old man, most dont expect him to have this kind of stuff