Posted by Todd Wilson on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 at 2:46PM :
In Reply to: Dodge 318 info posted by Joe Cimoch on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 at 2:07PM :
With the valve covers off you could pull #1 spark plug and hold your finger over it and wait for the compression to push your thumb off. Then bring the piston up to TDC. Maybe using a straw in the spark plug hole and watch the piston push it up until it stops and you should be pretty close to TDC to pull the distributor.
Gas in the oil sounds like a bad fuel pump maybe?!
Here's a site with some info on pepping up a 318.
http://www.geocities.com/alwest_83/318.html
My experience with a 318 is a nice intake and dual exhaust will really help it. I put a .443 lift cam in mine with a Mopar M1 dual plane and it woke it up pretty good.
The 318 heads and exhaust manifold flow is not the best for performance and high rpm but if its gonna be in a truck which I suspect it is then they should be fine for low and mid range torque.
A good book would be "How to hotrod small block mopars" I think the author is Larry Sheppard. Cant remember 100% off the top of my head.
Todd