What if I want to build my 318 up a smidge

[oldmopar!]

Hey gals/dudes:

I have been combing through the A bodies and B bodies forums for ways to freshen up my 318 poly. So after gathering and writing everything down on a notepad I still need reassurance that my "setup" is well suited for my car and my preference.

my 64 belv specs:
engine: 318poly nothing else modified.
gears: 2.90
suspension: will install those later
brakes: will convert to all 4 disc brakes
car: has all the reg seats so nothing is deleted and should weigh the same.

Looking to be street manner. Low end torque. Looking for a healthy engine. But not stock. I want to replace the cam, rods, rocker arms, pistons, valve springs, and carb, intake, and add headers. It shall be a sleeper.

cams: comp cams XE268H VS. XE275HL
carb: edelbrock 650cfm VS. edelbrock performer.
pistons: no clue
Rods: Scat I-beam
Valve springs: 901-16 single springs
intake manifolds: no clue.
Lift: aim for .450-.460"
Heads: 340 vs 302


After conducting all that research. I hope I got all the parts and terminology correct.
Sorry guys but thanks for your help in advance!!

 

[BeeKool]

Welcome to the site. Nice Car!
This thread will be interesting to watch.
There are plenty of people here to teach us all.

 

[WileE]

All for naught if you don't toss those gears.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

All for naught if you don't toss those gears.

All for naught if you don't toss those gears.

Agreed....I'm not sure what your gear options were back in '64, but if you can get something around 3.55's in there, even 3.23's, you'd end up faster with no engine modifications than if you left those 2.90 gears in there and did all the modifications you listed in my opinion. Gears are your best "bang for the buck"

 

[oldmopar!]

All for naught if you don't toss those gears.

Good to know now.

Agreed....I'm not sure what your gear options were back in '64, but if you can get something around 3.55's in there, even 3.23's, you'd end up faster with no engine modifications than if you left those 2.90 gears in there and did all the modifications you listed in my opinion. Gears are your best "bang for the buck"

So i guess my two options are:
1) pay someone to regear it
2) buy a new rear end.

Whats more cost effective?

 

[JimKueneman]

I put dual exhaust, Edelbrock Performer (so I could use the AC brackets) with FiTech EFI and a Mopar cam (forget which one but it was for low end torque) on my LA318. It does not push you in the seat but once you get it to 3000 RPM it rarely needs to kick down into 2nd, it pulls nicely. I also have 2.94 gears and like was mentioned if I wanted to give up my nice 80MPH freeway comfort and went to lower gears it would feel really good in normal driving. I just can't loose the open road interstate since that is 50% of my driving to get to town and shows.

 

[Dako]

Contact Gary Pavlovich'...you can do a search on his name...on this site. He has done many poly builds, from mild to wild. He is generous with knowledge, help, & parts.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

I would say that IF you have an 8-3/4'' rear end (no bolts on the back side of the rear end... I "think" '64 may have been the first year for those) then you're in good shape. Find the appropriate "center section" aka "pumpkin" aka "chunk" and have a shop put it in for $300-$400. I guess regardless you have to price out your options either way. Don't forget to change your speedometer gear in the transmission. Also, find a better source of info than me since I'm not an expert on 64's. Do you have bolts & a cover on the back of your rear end?

 

[moper]

Let me start by saying I'm not really "up" on the 318 Poly... But I didn't think the LA heads would bolt on it. Not sure but I think the cam and timing set will. I think the cam choice is good. Keep the Poly heads and get a single 4bbl intake, and have fun with it.

 

[oldmopar!]

I would say that IF you have an 8-3/4'' rear end (no bolts on the back side of the rear end... I "think" '64 may have been the first year for those) then you're in good shape. Find the appropriate "center section" aka "pumpkin" aka "chunk" and have a shop put it in for $300-$400. I guess regardless you have to price out your options either way. Don't forget to change your speedometer gear in the transmission. Also, find a better source of info than me since I'm not an expert on 64's. Do you have bolts & a cover on the back of your rear end?

rear is a 8.75 from a 70' roadrunner.
no cover on the back of the rear end

 

[oldmopar!]

I put dual exhaust, Edelbrock Performer (so I could use the AC brackets) with FiTech EFI and a Mopar cam (forget which one but it was for low end torque) on my LA318. It does not push you in the seat but once you get it to 3000 RPM it rarely needs to kick down into 2nd, it pulls nicely. I also have 2.94 gears and like was mentioned if I wanted to give up my nice 80MPH freeway comfort and went to lower gears it would feel really good in normal driving. I just can't loose the open road interstate since that is 50% of my driving to get to town and shows.

i do like to idea of hwy speeds. but then again, I dont know exactly how it feels to drive 3.92 gears on a freeway either.

 

[Lelo 500]

i do like to idea of hwy speeds. but then again, I dont know exactly how it feels to drive 3.92 gears on a freeway either.

Revving high. Gets old quick.

 

[JimKueneman]

i do like to idea of hwy speeds. but then again, I dont know exactly how it feels to drive 3.92 gears on a freeway either.

The math says mine would change from just a bit over 3000 RPM at 75 to 3900 RPM at 75. That is a big difference.

 

[rumblefish360]

All of your plans are now about to be laid to waste after you read my post on how most(90%) of your plan will fail in a spectacular pit of misery.

Your “Poly” 318 sahres a few things with the “LA” 318. But let’s start with what it doesn’t share.

Intake manifold
Cam
Rocker arms
Pistons
Heads
Exhaust

For intake manifolds, there is the OE 4bbl. And the in line dual quad. The aftermarket aluminum intakes are the easy to get (LMAO!) Weiand 4bbl. There is also the 3 Deuce by Weiand or Edelbrock (P600)
Chrysler Power has a brand new intake for the poly. It is like the “RPM” that Edelbrock does.

Cam, go to “Racer Brown” for a cam. Crane can also help you. You can not use an LA cam due to the engines valve lay out.

“E” equals exhaust, “I” equals intake

Ploy - eieieiei
LA ei ie ei ie

You can install the LA cam in the poly but it will NEVER FIRE.
You only have the OE rocker arms to work with.

The only manufacturer of pistons for the old obsolete engines I know of is a company called “Egge.” The only do cast pistons.

You only have the OE head to work with.

Exhaust, it is ether the exhaust manifolds or headers from tti.

 

[rumblefish360]

Good news, many parts interchange between the LA and the Poly.

Distributors! You can use the Latest and greatest distributor!
The oil pump drive. (The part under the distributor that has a gear on it)
Oil pump & pick up if it matches the pan.
Oil pan
Oil pan gaskets.
Crank (striker cranks as well!)
Bearings
Freeze out/Frost plugs
Timing chain and gears
Fuel pump eccentric and bolt
Fuel pump
Timing cover and gaskets
Harmonic balancer
Timing marks can be off depending on year of timing cover and balanced used.
Flex plate
Torque converter and hardware
Valve springs, retainers and locks.

 

[rumblefish360]

So i guess my two options are:
1) pay someone to regear it
2) buy a new rear end.

Whats more cost effective?

For effectively purchasing a third member and new axles is way way way cheaper than having someone else do ANYTHING!

 

[rumblefish360]

A basic type of upgrade that you have described would contain a parts list like;

What ever air cleaner up top a standard 4bbl. Of your choice. Your looking at a 600 cam carb.

Weiand 4bbl. intake or an OE unit.

Reworked heads. I suggest a larger intake valve and bowl porting.

On pistons, IF you NEED to rebuild it, a compression ratio of not more than 9.5-1.

I seriously suggest TTI exhaust headers and there exhaust package for a “Hot Rod” car. Well worth every penny spent!

When you figure out your gear ratio, we can look into a cam and then a torque converter to match.

 

[YY1]

does tti make poly headers?

aren't poly motors already 9.2:1?

rumblefish is spot on with the interchange issue.

the OP's biggest issue is probably going to be cost.

for example a mild 4 bbl intake for an LA can be $75 at a swap meet, but try finding a poly intake---likely will have to be new at $400. similar scenario for cam and headers and even valve covers...

 

[WileE]

i do like to idea of hwy speeds. but then again, I dont know exactly how it feels to drive 3.92 gears on a freeway either.

You posted you wanted the combo for the street. You got to make up your mind. A good middle ground is 3.55

 

[Lelo 500]

http://chryslerpower.com/webstore/Poly
Info and parts for Poly.