Crate engine vs. rebuild, what are your thoughts?

[Don Frelier]

Sometimes you just need an excuse to get a new motor. I cracked off an exhaust manifold ear on my Charger 22 years ago, used it as an excuse to pull the motor and rebuild it.
I didn't really lie to my wife but...

 

[moparwacko]

Don't overthink this.
What would you do if you were 17?
If it's just a fun cruiser, I'd be buying one off CL/local pick yard that you trust, etc.
Dont know your area but running 318's are less than $500 all week long.
Back in my heyday, myself and one buddy could do a small block swap in about 6 hrs and 2 six packs
Just have fun, and dont get that dreaded disease "analysis paralysis"

 

[mopwrd340]

You are going to also need a oil pan and pickup tube as the 318s wont fit have you checked out carolina machine engines they look to be reasonably priced .

 

[BeeKool]

I called blueprint engines and left a message, but from what I see on their website, it looks like the only do high performance engines. I will let you all know what I find out when they call back.

Try Indy

 

[chargervert]

As I stated before, do your homework before spending the money. I can tell you that it was very dishartening spending $12,600 dollars for the 472 Hemi crate engine, and hearing about the issues that they had. I am glad that I never ran it in the configuration that I got it in,and I think it will be money well spent to have a competent engine shop dismantle it and reassemble it and dyno it.

 

[chargervert]

My friend has an Indy aluminum Hemi engine, he uses it for a coffee table!

 

[BeatersRus]

a reasonable cheap alternative would be a cam/lifter swap w timing chain.
does anyone have a cam recommendation for a original 230 hp 318?

 

[Bart K]

a reasonable cheap alternative would be a cam/lifter swap w timing chain.
does anyone have a cam recommendation for a original 230 hp 318?

This seems reasonable to me. I know you all want me to pin down the exact issue before doing anything, but I have had some very knowledgeable people look at this issue and none can pin this down. It sounds like a top end issue to me, so it seems reasonable to me to do the swap BeatersRus has suggested. It would be reasonably inexpensive and rule a lot of things in or out. If I get done and I still have the tic, I have bigger problems to worry about.

 

[BeatersRus]

worst comes to worst and you redo it and still have the noise,
you can still transfer them parts right into a diff 318.
all youll be out is the fluids and gaskets.

have you considered doing a video of the engine running for us to listen to?
did you see this post on page 3?
hes Spot on.

" A rod bearing would be spun by now if it was the issue, and a piston pin will usually give a double knock. Lifters will tic, a rounded cam can be noisy from too muck valve train play, and be quite noticeable at the rocker due to a lack of movement. I have had a cracked piston skirt sound like a knock, and bout drove me crazy looking for it. By removing the spark plug will relieve some of the firing pressure on it, and quiet it down. "