Posted by JimmieD on Thursday, December 16, 2004 at 10:17AM :
In Reply to: Re: Identify 318 vs. 360 posted by Drew M. on Thursday, December 16, 2004 at 8:45AM :
Paul, ya never know what you'll find, so yes, look for the Poly with scalloped valve covers.
On the LA318-360, being the later small block, look for the driver's side casting number that says 318-3 or 360-3. [There were no-, -1, -2, -3, -4] The dash 3 indicates an industrial Premium block. The 318-3 is very $$$rare$$$ and has a forged crank and rods and other great goody parts; and the 360-3 has [I think] forged rods, pistons, factory blueprinted / clearanced, balanced asssembly, double roller timing set, oversized water jackets etc.
The blocks on Premium -3 engines are specially selected with the minimum number of casting cores and are factory checked for core shift. There are no 'Friday' -3's, and they were always built with the best components available at the time for that engine series.
On the 360-3 look for a 1979 RV or truck motor, as it's the best of the best of 360's!
But, I agree with Norm: I've got a '79 360-3 with all the performance bells and whistles in my Town Wagon, but I'm counting the days 'til I can stuff a strong 318 Poly back in there!
JimmieD
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