Re: Re: Convert Mid-80s 318 to magnum??

From: Will Coughlin (willcoughlin@hotmail.com)
Date: Sun Apr 08 2001 - 11:08:37 EDT


It is possible to use an la-shortblock with the Magnum top end.You have to
drill the either heads or block for oiling holes, and it might require a
different length pushrod- I'm not real sure. I've never built one, so I've
got no real experience on it, but I have seen it done.I'd reccomend just
building one or the other, if you want a Magnum, get a Magnum, of you want
an LA-motor, get one. The A-518 OD tranny is not a problem. If it were my
truck, I would either build an LA-360 (possibly a stroker motor) and use a
built 727A transmission behind it, or go with A Magnum replacement crate
motor from Mopar. Use a magnum fuel injection, and you can use a built A-518
OD tranny.Really depends on what you want to do with the truck. HOT street
truck or family cruiser/trip truck.

Will Coughlin willcoughlin@hotmail.com
'00 reg.cab,2wd,4.7L/NV-3500HD5-spd/3.92sg(9.25")
http://www.geocities.com/willcoughlin/index.html

----Original Message Follows----
From: "mrdancer" <mrdancer2@home.your.underwear.com>

I don't remember all of the differences, but the old-style 318 and the
Magnum 318 are different enough that I think you will have some major
problems. I don't believe the heads are interchangeable (someone correct me
if I'm wrong...).

I think you'd be ahead, in the long run, if you went with a magnum crate
motor and aftermarket fuel injection (see http://www.rancefi.com ). It's an
expensive prospect, but you get what you pay for.

The A-518 should bolt up to any 318 just fine (the problems people have are
when bolting up the OD tranny to older vehicle styles that may not have the
physical room necessary under the chassis). If you decide to go with a
crate motor (360), you will need an external harmonic balancer. You may
want to put a quality shift kit in the tranny to handle the extra power.
HTH

--
"mike kulczycki" <dakota1994@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:F282bTNF3JtD708eJQH000038d4@hotmail.com...
 > well i have found an 80s 318 for dirt cheap that needs a rebuild.  i want
to
 > eventually swap in a V8 into my V6 truck.  but i would like to stay with 
a
 > magnum with fuel injection and all...  so now my question is, can i put
fuel
 > injection on that engine??  can i use magnum heads??  i would probably 
try
 > to bore and stroke it while i am rebuilding it and see what i can get for
 > cubes out of it, but really don't want a carbed truck.  and what about 
the
 > accesories??  will they fit from my truck now??  by the way i have a 94.
 > and what about trannies??  will an A518 bolt up??  thanks for any 
help....
 > mike k
 > 94 slt, cc, V6, 2wd, auto, flowmaster, msd6a, and so on...

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