361 B make over

[66 Meteor]

Have a 66 Satellite with orig 361B and am considering doing a makeover on the engine. I'm not interested in running on a strip, just want to drive the car. The '66 361 2BC was rated @265Hp and 380T, however the earlier year versions of the 361B were rated much stronger. The '60-'62 4BC had 305Hp and 395T and the '60 2x4BC had 310Hp and 435T. What would I need to do to achieve the increased power that these earlier engines produced? I'm pretty sure it is not just as simple as changing out the carb. I would appreciate any good advice on how to proceed.

 

[lewtot184]

the 305hp version had the 4bbl, 10:1 pistons, and a little more cam. do the 4bbl and some cam (don't over do it! the mopar 272-.455 would work nicely), forget the pistons (probably can't buy them anyway), and add dual exhaust.

 

[66 Meteor]

1) 4BC on existing intake or is it better to upgrade the intake? If so, recommendation please. 2) dual exhaust with factory exhaust manifold or add headers too?

I'm trying to be realistic and not trying to build a screamer, can't change the fact that it's a 361.

 

[godfatherofchry]

If you were to put the cam in stated above. with a (ch4b) with a say 750 vac.Holley good exhaust :hello2: you my have a big surprise.I have seen sum good running 361s that would be knocking on the doors of sum 383s and biting on the tale lights of the 440s.and If you ever pool the heads off and mill them .020 pocket port them and gasket match.ooooboy.dont give up on it there a good motor.......Artie

 

[lewtot184]

1) 4BC on existing intake or is it better to upgrade the intake? If so, recommendation please. 2) dual exhaust with factory exhaust manifold or add headers too?

I'm trying to be realistic and not trying to build a screamer, can't change the fact that it's a 361.

any 4bbl intake is an upgrade. it just depends on how you want to drive and how much money you want to spend. the old edelbrock DP4B is very good and not expensive. an edelbrock 650AVS is nearly identical to the 335HP 383 AVS. if you use a shorter cam, which you should do, headers are more of an option. the 305HP 361 cam was 268 degrees, .430 lift with 110LSA. any lift over .480 may require head work (retainer to guide clearance issues). the 272-.455 cam will fit with no work, has good street manners but will need a spring upgrade (stock magnum cam springs will work fine), as will any cam upgrade. the comp cams High Energy 268 would be good. i know a guy who has an XE262 in a 383 and loves it. the stock 383 road runner cam is o.k. too.

 

[wedgie]

Look at it as a smaller 383. Get an intake and exhaust manifolds from a '68-'69 roadrunner, upgrade the cam, go electronic ignition with a fast curve, and a vacuum secondary carb. Swap the rear gear to a 3.55 or so. You will be pleasently surprised.

 

[robinsonwr]

The real problem with the 361 is the pistons. I looked into building a 413 CI stroked version of the 361. The following is the specs: RB 3.75 stroke crank, RB 6.676 rods with 990 small end, 4.185 bore, and ICON piston #IC937-060 with 1.425 compression height. Other combinations were pondered but settled on 440/512. My original 361 out of my 66' Satellite is sitting on the engine stand waiting for its love. The DP4B intake will work great or a more stock appearance will be a Weiand 8008 which are still available. I think the XE262 or XE268 would be great upgrade cams. Watch using large valve heads with the small bore.

 

[robinsonwr]

The real problem with the 361 is the pistons. I looked into building a 413 CI stroked version of the 361. The following is the specs: RB 3.75 stroke crank, RB 6.676 rods with 990 small end, 4.185 bore, and ICON piston #IC937-060 with 1.425 compression height. Other combinations were pondered but settled on 440/512. My original 361 out of my 66' Satellite is sitting on the engine stand waiting for its love. The DP4B intake will work great or a more stock appearance will be a Weiand 8008 which are still available. I think the XE262 or XE268 would be great upgrade cams. Watch using large valve heads with the small bore.

The combination above should make really good power with a great torque curve. I will probably gather the parts to build the stroked 361 in the future. I was thinking conversation piece, stock appearing, with surprising power. I will use a hydraulic roller camshaft instead of flat tappet though. The camshaft for my 440/512 build is a hydraulic roller from Comp Cams with an advertised duration of 280/286, .050 duration 230/236, 622/625 lift with 1.6 Crane rockers. Should make great power to 6000 rpm's and be really mild mannered for the street.

 

[Meep-Meep]

I'm with lew on this. Just mimic the 335 HP motor using the factory cast iron intake and 650 AFB. Add the .455" cam and free up the exhaust. I'm running that cam and a cast iron intake in my 66 Bel (on a 440) and it runs high 12's. However I wouldn't expect the 361 to run as well only because of the CI difference.

These mods all assume that the lower end is in good shape and the valve guides are tight. The mods we are talking about here are dirt cheap and will yield great results without even removing the engine from the car!

 

[Big Bad Dad]

I recently did this to my 64 Fury with the 361. I changed to a cast iron intake and Carter AFB from a 65 Chrysler 383. I changed the exhaust manifolds to a set of the hi perf (Magnum) manifolds and installed a 2-1/2" TTI dual exhaust kit. Everything else is stock and my little 361 is FAR from being a "slouch"! I got my first big speeding ticket in years on my maiden voyage..... But it was sure feeling good!