318 la identification

[cadjaw55]

finally found running 318la in a 66(?) Coronet. Is there any positive way to identify this motor from a Poly 318. I have 2 Polys...1 running great the other needs a rebuild. I want to replace the Poly with a 318la which has many after market parts. I will be taking photos of the poly for comparison.....visually there should be a difference. Will the 318 la bolt right up to the header pipes with no problem? are there any major modifications to be done?
Thank you all!

 

[PettyBlue72]

If that motor is original to the 66 Coronet then it will be a poly 318 as they did not start putting the 318la in the b-bodies until 67. The valve covers will be the dead giveaway for a poly 318 as they are sculpted around the spark plus not straight across like a 318la. I am not sure but Mopar could have put 273's in Coronets in 66 which would look identical to a 318la. If the motor is original to the car and is an la series sb then it is probably a 273 not a 318.

Joe

 

[cadjaw55]

318 la

thank you pretty blue....the yard is not sure if it is a 66 or 67..........it is listed on ebay......from shortys salvage yard.....in king of prussia, pa. would a vin number on the motor block be visible or even there?

 

[hendo0601]

I just found the auction you are referencing. It says 65 66 67 Coronet 5.2L V8. The one in the picture is the Poly 318. As mentioned above the valve cover is the dead giveaway.

 

[cadjaw55]

Wow

I can't thank you enough for identifying that motor as a Poly! You save me a ton of gas and aggravation! I had called the yard in between posts and they had not a clue what I was talking about! If you ever out in the Coatesville, PA area........I definitely owe you a couple of iced-cold brews..........!!!! Now if I could find a 318 la...........in this area..........??? There has to be one I can find that is running!........I do have a 440 available.........but I want to put it in a 66 road runner or something similar.......which will be difficult to pull off with limited financial resources!
cmj

 

[hendo0601]

The Chrysler Nationals at Carlisle is coming up soon, you should be able to find one there no problem! Also scour Craigslist. Most full-size plymouths from 67 and up had LA 318 engines, and lots of A and B bodies had them as well.

If you look at the valve covers in this picture you can see that they are scalloped along the bottom edge around the spark plugs. This is a poly 318 and is the easiest way to identify one.

http://1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/images/ml-poly318-house-guest.jpg

This is a picture of an LA 318 and even though the valve covers are aftermarket you can see that they are straight across the bottom. All of the LA series V8 (273, 318, 340, 360) use the same valve covers.

http://www.sweptline.com/tech/rebuild2k.jpg

There are a handful of other ways to differentiate between the two but the valve covers is the best/easiest way. I dont get up to PA much any more, but if I do I will definitely stop by for some tall frosty beverages! Glad I could help!