New to MOPARs, Engine advice needed

[cairopd1069]

I bought a 66 Coronet 440 2dr; 318 engine. I have searched the forums and I am still lost. I am doing a frame-off restoration so I am not in any hurry, but I do want to be prepared. The PO said the motor will need to be rebuilt. The motor does turn over, but I think the coil is bad, so I don't know how bad the motor really is. After doing some reading, I think it is a "Poly" engine, it is very wide across the top end. "If" the motor needs to be rebuilt, would it be cheaper to rebuild my motor back to stock if possible, or look for a bigger motor to put back in it when I get to that point. Any information on the Poly would be appreciated. The PO said it is the original motor that came in the car, but I have not had a chance to look at the numbers. I don't plan on racing the car, but I would like to "go fast" when I want to. Also, it appears that finding headers, reasonably priced, will be hard.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

Well, there is not much in the aftermarket world for the polysphere motor. Usually that motor is tossed aside in favor of a big block. Even another small block swap to an LA motor would be better than messing with the wide block 318 imho. The amount of money you will have tied up in that motor just wouldn't seem worth it.

 

[69Bee]

Unless you want to completely restore this for show purposes, I would go with a more common engine. I sell a master rebuild for the Poly 318 for $844.12, where-as a 440 master kit would be $867.97, a LA 318 for $449.11, a 400 kit for $854.53. A big block would be a great motor for that car. You would need a transmission, motor mounts, and other associated swap parts. You could pull the engine/trans and sell them on craigslist to offset some of the cost.

http://www.engine-swaps.com/index.html

http://bpeusa.com/

https://www.yearone.com/

http://brewersperformance.com/

Good luck with the project.

 

[cairopd1069]

Thanks for the responses, that gives me a lot to think about. What else would I have to change if I went with the big block?

 

[415Satellite66]

Nice car love the 66 Coronet I have a 66 Satellite with a 318 Polyblock. I opted to keep the 318 Poly but added TTI headers and a factory 4-barrel intake. Car run fine and gets good mileage. You can not go wrong with a nice big block in your Coronet. Or a LA small block. Have fun with your build.

 

[BeastlyBirdie]

Other things that need to be changed, wiring harness (extended to distributor), transmission, depending which rear you have, possibly that, and the radiator.

 

[Dako]

To answer your question: "If" the motor needs to be rebuilt, would it be cheaper to rebuild my motor back to stock if possible, or look for a bigger motor to put back in it when I get to that point?

Unless you already have another motor ready to drop in, it will be cheaper to keep the Poly. Stock rebuilds for most motors (i.e.: 318, 360, 383, 400, 440, etc) are relatively close in price...providing required work is the same from motor to motor.

You said it turns by hand, but the coil could be bad (I would also swap the balast restistor) and mentioned "If" the motor needs rebuilt. Sounds to me, if you get it started and it runs (well) you may just clean it up and run it. Again, cheaper.

The question to ask yourself is how much are you willing to spend? If you have money and time to invest in this area and want the change, then a motor swap is a viable option. Just be aware there will be modifications needed to make it all work.

As for "Any information on the Poly"

Stock, your motor has 8.9:1 compression and made 230hp & 340ft lbs of torque...with that tiny carb, log manifolds and single exhaust! The Poly also gets great gas mileage because of that tiny carb. There are many parts interchangable between the A and LA small blocks. Here is a good site: http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.com/poly318_1.html .

Other helpful sites:
http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.com/poly318.html

http://www.dippy.org/forum2/index.php?topic=195.0

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...56&bih=623&tbm=isch&ei=ftnLTdu9G4fn0QGo6LWFBw


There are many things that can be done to the Poly, keeping folks guessing. I will list some basic to more costly:
- Dual exhaust off the manifolds
- Cam shaft change (make this decison with carb/ intake in mind)
- 4 bbl manifold from an earlier Poly motor (4 bbl wasn't an option in `66). Would need a 4 bbl carb as well
- Headers. Yes, they aren't cheap, but you get what you pay for.
- Port work. There is plenty that can be done to make these heads breath.
- Larger valves. I put 2.02's / 1.60's in mine
- Stroked. Yes, they can be stroked...to the tune of 402 c.u.!

Do a search on this site for Gary Pavlovich, then send him a personal message. He has built many different combinations of the Poly. He was very helpful when I got to the cross roads that you are at now. I must admit, I get almost as many comments/ questions about that 'big motor with the distributor in the back' as I do about the factory color of the car itself.

Good luck, either way you choose to go!

 

[cr8crshr]

Before delving into your resto plans, I would first purchase a FSM...Factory Service Manual...for your specific car along with a color schematic of the electrical systems. These are by far the most important reference tools any one can have. Also as a Newbie, the term "Frame Off" refers to only Fords and GMs. In the Mopar world we have a "Uni-body" car which has the frame as an integral part of the Body. A good description is, a complete Uni-body Resto. Maybe it sounds a bit nit picky but they are not one and the same with the other Marquees. Same holds true for the Rear End. Mopars do not have a "Posi" or "Sure Track," etc., but "Sure Grip". Again maybe Nit picky but there is a difference. Finally....Have a plan before you start tearing into it. Draw up some plans and notes as to what the ultimate goal is and then document in every detail how and where parts that came off, must go upon re-install. As mentioned the 318 is an OK motor but a BB will give you more options than the 318 will. If you must go with a SB then a 360 would be my choice. The best news out of this is that with the current motor you only have to use BB Motor Mounts on the Block as the K-frame is the same for both BB and SB...Hemis' not included. Good luck on it. There are a lot of knowledgeable members here on FBBO and we all are more than willing to assist....cr8crshr/Tuck

 

[super-bee_ski]

Welcome aboard and thanks for joining the forum!
I would replace the engine.
Why dont you try selling the 318 Poly for $150.

Then add this:
INDY CYLINDER HEAD....
$4,995.00

Chrysler 360 LA and Magnum Small Block Engines

All Engines Blueprinted, Assembled and Dyno Tested At Indy Cylinder Head


Make plans to visit us and watch your engine run on the dyno!


360 Magnum With Indy MA-X Cast Iron Heads
**** Your Best Value Under $5,000.00! ****


PRINT OUT ENGINE DETAILS

380 Horsepower @5500 RPM
415 Torque @3200 RPM
Engine ran with Brad Penn 30WT break in oil
Fully prepped 360 Magnum block
4.020 bore--3.58 stroke
Eagle SIR rods
Speed Pro Hyper Pistons As pictured
Coated shirts--9.5 to 1 $4,995.00
New Indy MA-X cast iron heads
1.920 / 1.625--5/16 stem valves
Hydraulic roller cam
.467 / .482--208 / 216--HR113 Included for $65 with complete engine:
M.P. black Magnum valve covers Orange control box
M.P. Single plane intake Wiring harness-resistor
600 CFM Edelbrock carb M.P. 8 blade water pump
LA timing cover-Mechanical fuel pump OK
Stock 360 5 quart oil pan
M.P. Electronic distribuitor--curve set
ICH wires--Champion plugs # 71--RC12YC
Engine externally balanced

Engine accessories and upgrades
2.02 intake valves (adds 10 HP) Add $100.00
8 qt deep sump oil pan Add $100.00
Externally balanced B/M flexplate Add $82.00
Flexplate bolt kit 6 flexplate-4 5/16 converter Add $30.00
Flexplate bolt kit 6 flexplate-4 7/16 converter Add $30.00
Mopar dipstick for 5 qt oil pan Add $20.00
Mopar mini starter Add $170.00
Chrome water pump bolt kit Add $29.95
Thermostat housing Add $10.00
Thermostat housing gasket Add $3.00

 

[Sonny Black]

just put a 440 in and be done with it!.....
BTW; I put a 383 4bbl;4 speed, in a early b body and it just needed minimal fabrications.:icon_thumleft originally had a 318 poly) 3 speed.

Sonny

 

[super-bee_ski]

As Sonny says: "just put a 440 in and be done with it!....."

I AM a FAN of going BIG (440)
BUT, that Indy Cylinder Head "360" is a great engine!
And, a great deal...it's been dynoed ($750 for a Dyno run downtown) So, its a good deal!

You cant build a 440 without having the block and heads already in your posession for that money!

 

[cairopd1069]

Well, I may have jumped the gun. The PO said it might need rebuilding, but we changed the coil and the motor started right up, did not knock or smoke. Sounded great!! I did not realize the Coronet had a uni-body type frame system. This is the first time I have dealt with a MOPAR, so I have learned something new already. Thanks for all the responses.
Wayne

 

[66 coronet]

Tune the thing up and drive it to find out what kind of condition its in some duels on it will help pull the right hand exhaust manifold the heat riser flapper will be frozen usually closed. I've got a 66 coronet with the poly head engine originaly wanted to put a big block in it but decided to see what the old poly head could do. With a cam some head work and a four barrel and headers on it runs great. Its put down a few small block chevys. A lot of people don't believe its a 318 after all it says coronet 440 on the fender.

 

[theman440]

The Poly is becoming more and more popular these days, they really are a good design. Chrysler Power (CPPA) is developing a new modern intake for them (you can pre-order one now btw) parts are readily available - stroke 'n poke it and just smile out the back window while you are passing that 350 Camaro!