Poly 318? What do you know?

[Darter6]

Just found that Hughes Engines has pistons for the poly.From standard to .060 over.

 

[rychrger72]

To repeat myself...

The worst thing about a poly 318 is that after you beat a Ford or GM, the loser won't stop telling you and everyone else that you have a big block.

I used to hunt brand new Monte Carlo SS's back in the day, with my (1?)80,000+ mile almost bone stock poly 318 66 Coronet.

Even though it had a tiny 2 barrel carb, almost everyone that got to see under the hood said it had to be a big block cause no 318 could ever beat the 350 I spent a thousand bucks building. Look how big it is. Oh, and it says "440" right on your fender.

I remember having those arguments, lol.
I had a yellow '66 Coronet 440 convertible with the Poly, ran a guy in a late '70s Z-28 w/ what he said was a freshly stroked 305. Ran him 3 times, I popped the hood to prove it was a small block, and had to give him the distributor lesson for mopars, and explained that the 440 tag was the body style. He was pissed. He asked what I had done to it, I told him i had just changed the oil and washed her. :icon_lol: Good times.

 

[Darter6]

In high school a guy would do block long burn outs with his 63(poly) Polara in front of our bus stop. Good times indeed !!

 

[66 coronet]

It would surprize you what those old poly heads would do, i ran them for years when i was a kid. the 66 coronet i picked early this year had one i got a 413 street wedge to build for it but decided to see just what the old poly head could first. I milled the heads .060" and did some porting and polish work, lightened and polished the rockers. Duel exhaust with 2 1/2" pipes got about a 1000 miles on that and it runs great with no problems. I picked up a four barrel setup off an old poly head marine engine and as soon as i get another cam i'll be trying that out. the way i'm going here i might have to find something else to put the 413 in.

 

[Blackheart]

I have pics of my 63 Plymouth Poly posted in my photo gallery, 4" stroker, .060 over, 3x2 (Barry Grants) may not get out of it's own way, but I think it has a unique wow factor! With the head work and larger valves it should flow, on paper it should be stout.

Car is a ways off from being ready.

 

[Rippin]

Man, I hope you don't give up on the poly. They are real dependable, brother has one in a 64 power wagon and it just does not quit.

They make a dual fours set up for the poly that would really turn heads and if you can keep your foot out of it, may be decent on gas too...relatively speaking...

 

[64BEL]

While I have plans for a big block transplant, I do like my Poly in the mean time. It's a cool engine, and I know of guys who have made big power with them. As with the LA 318, it's a nice running, dependable engine.

 

[73rr]

The 318P is an excellent engine, but there were major design changes for the 63 model year so do not try to interchange pre63 parts with post 62 parts.

Plenty of parts are available and some interchange with the LA. We can supply custom forged pistons for those planning a stock rebuild or a 400 inch package.

 

[64plybelvwgn]

I believe I read on the 62-65mopar site that the poly block can be used with the LA heads ? Can this be true...with some major modifications ? It would open up a huge inventory of intake and header options ?

 

[73rr]

I have heard folks trying to make the swap but I have never even looked at the heads and blocks to see what the issues are.
For virtually all 318 Poly questions the guy to contact is Gary Pavlovich. He is building 400+ inch engines with dyno tickets showing some impressive numbers with the poly head.

.

 

[Gary Pavlovich]

Poly parts are plentiful and many of the parts interchange with the LA 340/360 engines.
New cams are plentiful and the only integral link that must be acquired "used" is the intake manifold but there are plenty on E-bay every couple weeks or in swap meets.

Let me know if I can help you find the Poly parts you need or send you some
information and Poly horsepower "recipies."

Gary Pavlovich

 

[rumblefish360]

I believe I read on the 62-65mopar site that the poly block can be used with the LA heads ? Can this be true...with some major modifications ? It would open up a huge inventory of intake and header options ?

No, it can not be done.

 

[64BEL]

Good to see you on here, Gary!

Dave

 

[11thcommandment]

Hey all,
I just picked up a 64 4 door Fury just to tool around with me & the kids. I'm not sure what its got. 318 poly maybe. I have not even opened the hood. So much snow that car is damn near buried. What should i look for.
AL B.

 

[vintagetin]

Hey all,
I just picked up a 64 4 door Fury just to tool around with me & the kids. I'm not sure what its got. 318 poly maybe. I have not even opened the hood. So much snow that car is damn near buried. What should i look for.
AL B.

The valve covers will only have 2 bolts holding them down. All the exhaust ports are seperate, the distributor will be in the back. The bottom side of the valve covers have ripples on them.

 

[11thcommandment]

Ok thanx . Gettin my shovel and will get back !!lol

AL B

 

[11thcommandment]

Ok! So the 64 Fury 4 door that I picked up has a Poly 318 in. I would post a picture but cant figue out how to post it.
So now what! Is that a good engine? I got the car for only a few bucks!! I don't plan on doing too much to that car although it isn't in the greatest shape. Get it running, New seats, and hook it up with some wheels & tires.
I do have another car it's a 64 2 dr Sedan Savoy. That car will be a frame off restoration. And god willing 426 Hemi Powered !!
AL

 

[64BEL]

Yeah - it's a good engine. Nice and dependable, and they run great.

 

[Uncle Don]

ok kinda off question here but...my 66 belvedere has the 318 poly in it. 58k original miles, with working AC....it gets about 18mpg with a crappy 2bbl carb thats seen its better days. i good new or rebuilt 2bbl is around 300-400$$$....seems crazy. my plans are to put a 383 bib block in it that i have, mild with a cam and drive on....but if i ever and i mean "ever"(maybe to buy a new challenger) decide to sell my belvedere, would i have better chance of selling it with the original matching number motor and trans....even though its a poly, or with a big block...??? i guess what im asking is does putting a big block and different trans in this car hurt the resale value years down the road???.....i do like my little poly though, it runs so smooth out on the open HWY...just needs a new carb and electronic dizzy.

 

[Blackheart]

The common, and I do mean common, thing to do is trash the Poly and replace it with a:

1. Hemi
2. Max Wedge
3. 440
4. 383

Walk the strip at Carlisle and Columbus, and see all the same cookie cutter solutions to the original Poly power. Funny thing is that I wouldn't trade my Poly for any of them because it is the original engine and it is unique. There are plenty options available to make them look nice and run well unless you plan to hardcore race it. Mine should be in the neighborhood of 375 - 400 HP. I like the looks of it and I'm not finished. Going in a pro street 63 Fury convertible. Gary Pavlovich had been a technical advisor. He is the Poly Guru.