360 j reads to a 318

[Texacan]

I'm hopping up my 70 Barracuda with a 318.I want to make it streetable but boost performance levels in the 300 hp range.I have a Holley 650 and Edelbrock manifold and headers and Mopar electronic ign on it now.I want to put a set of 360 j heads on it that I own.What do I need to do to them to set them up to run right? I know without planing them compression will drop way off.How much do I have to have shaved to make them work? I also have a MSD distributor kicking around.Will it be better to use than the Mopar Elec ign for street driving? This car will be my daily driver as well so I want it to be reliable.Thanks Everyone!

[rumblefish360]

Try a search on the head specs unless some out there can tell you how much to mill off. You'll want to come up with less cc's than the 318 head. Just how many I don't know. (Lil-help out there please.)
What Edelbrock intake are you running?
The MSD distributor doesn't have a vacum adv. on it. That in it self will not get you good mileage. Theres nothing wrong with the MoPar unit.

[Texacan]

The MSD distributor I got Has a fully adjustable vaccum advance and also has a fully adjustable advance curve.Could be fun.

[kamstra]

I have the same situation. 318 that needs more POWER. I also have a set of 340 X heads that I could add but, I believe their is a concern as it relates to the valves close to the cylinder walls.
I also have the MSD ignition without the Vacuum Adv., (not installed yet)

I have an article on small block heads that I have attached that may be of interest to you. Your concern may lay in the reduction in the compression ratio based on the increased combustion chamber size of the 360 heads. You may wish to look at the 318 swirl port heads.

Rob
www.geocities.com/robkamstra

[Texacan]

I guess what I'm hearing is I need to shave off
between 50 and 60 thousandths off of the heads to raise the compression back to where it belongs.This is fine by me.I know the lower end of a 318 is pretty stout and can easily be built to 300 pluss HP.That's what I want at least for now.Until I decide to drop in a crate Hemi.

[273dart]

There may be a fairly low cost and simple solution to you problem. Your 318 has 178/150 valves. I have a 273 cui I am rebuilding. I am porting and posishing it myself. Did a lot of reading on it first. You just need to go slow and not take any metal out of the floor of the exhaust ports, sides and top only. Its really fun. I am done except for posishing. I am having my valves inlarged from 178/150 to 188/160. This will not hurt the combustion chamber cc's. It will increase flow. I am not milling the heads, just having them surfaced. I am boring 30/40 over HIgh compression pistons (very mildely domed). I am using a Comp Cam 270/470 duration at 50 is 224. This is the best cam for the performance I want. Mostly street but drags occasionally. I am having my torque converter reworked to a stall of 2200 to 2400. Also, I am using a 1971 340 intake manifold with a 625 to 650 cfm Holly spread bore. The new compression will go from 8.5 to about 9.7:1 to 10:1. It will run on 93 pump gas cause I am not over caming it. I am going with a electronic ignition. I spent a great deal of time putting many different combos on paper and talking to many speed shops. What do I want to do with it? What HP, Low mid, top torque. If you take your time and think it out you will come up with the right combination. There is no quick solution to engine performance. You can do it right the first time or spend lots of extra money and do it again. Take care!

Dave Davis

[rumblefish360]

Fully adjustable vacum adv. MSD distrib. Coool. Not in there catolog. Shame.
Well, since you have one, run it.
As far as 50-60 thousands cut on the head, I hear alot of that to. I just don't know what is the correct amount to take of for your engine to end up with the desired ratio you want. (which is what?)
Kamstra;
Not to worry about 2.02 valves with a 318. Even seen it in a mag. where they bolted on a set of Edel. heads on a 318. POP, there on, up and running. (MoPar Mucsule)

[kamstra]

Hmm,
Thanks Rumblefish, Maybe I'll get the 340 X heads rebuilt.
Hey a new cam should be in order....

Boy the 2 bbl will look stupid now.
Especially with the new TTI headers.

[Texacan]

I just gotta do something with those J heads.The Cuda's going in my garage this weekend.Time for some much needed body work.New quarters and a few rust patchs in need of some mending.I guess I have a year to put her back on the road so I'm going to be open minded for a bit on deciding what to do.

[dartdave70]

just wanted to remind those of you that are going to put 340/360 heads on a 318 that you need to run a 340/360 intake manifold and gasket set to get the most out of it. the intake port shape and size is different between the 318 and 340/360, a 318 intake manifold will cover up part of the larger ports in the 340/360 heads.