External differances between 318 and 360

[meepmeep426]

Is there a block number or stamp to externally tell If I have a 318 or a 360 motor...If I remember correctly my 273 had the size motor stamped on the side of the block,under the head.vintage appears to be in the early 80's...Motor is in the car,but I think its been changed.Possibly the intake and carb too.Dont want to tear it down to find out if possible.Thanks Im a big block guy,OK!

[Glen440]

Should be something stamped on the side of the block. Intake may say something. The rear of the pan is bigger than a 273-340.
I'm also a bigblock guy but next week I drop a 360 into my 87 Ram that has a slant so I get to play with one for the first time in 7 or 8 years.

[rumblefish360]

Drivers side of the block as the CID embossed (raised) on it. Last of the digits are the CID. Oil pans are a different size. Not that you could tell though. Also left (driverside) motor mounts are different. Also, not that you could tell. Even if they were side by side in there bays, it can be hard.

[badge 180]

look at the damper to see if it is a externel balance unit. this would indicate a 360 or later 340. the balancer on a 318 would appear to be uniform in size and diameter. the 360 has a counter weight on the damper.

[meepmeep426]

Thanks guys...going to clean up block today and see what we can read.I'll let yall know what I found.Good luck glen440 on your project.Let me know how it goes.

[5thAve]

GO with what's on the side of the block. Intake won't be different unless it's a 2bbl. I have a 318 in one car and an 88 in the other. Parked nose to nose the way they are now if I would ask anyone which had the 360 they'd only be able to take a guess (which would be right since the 360 always had a big air cleaner, even on the 2bbl, and it has a 4bbl now while the 318 has it's little sized BBD).

[Karl43]

There are a few ways to tell. Like stated before, the engine size should be cast into the left (driver's) side of the block. It is also stamped under the left (driver's) side head if you can scrape enough paint/dirt/grease off to see it (maybe remove the power steering).

The 360's had larger ports than the 318 and also the intake runners are fatter. If you don't know what one or the other already look like it is hard to tell. The 318 also had the smaller 2-bbl Carter BBD and the 360 had larger 2-bbl's.

[meepmeep426]

Yeah,knew of the bigger carb on the 360...but this one looks as if the intake and carb had been switched before...and owner wasnt sure if he'd had the motor changed on this car or not...?Must have a bad memory or too many previous cars.It does still have lean burn(yuck) and sticker says it should be a 318...couldnt get it clean enuf today to tell what it was,but didnt try real hard either...gonna get the kid under it tomorrow,while were pullin out the trans.Thanks again...will inform...

[5th_Ave_Sleeper]

You dont need to crawl under the car to find this out.
Looking at the engine from the front. on the front-drivers side of the block, directly to the top left of the t/c cover, is a slew of numbers STAMPED into the block about 1/4" below the head gasket surface. The last three #s are the displacement.
Good luck
5th

[rumblefish360]

I don't care what they say about that spot. The numbers are not always there.

[meepmeep426]

Ive got no numbers there either...HMMMMM...but the ones underneath say its a 318...Anybody need a 318 for a dirt cheep price? its still complete....Thanks guys....

[kikstand1]

yes there are numbers on the side of the 360 block like all the others...drivers side behind the starter the last 3 numbers will designate cubic inches, and on the passengers side at same area you will find a casting date kikstand1

[kikstand1]

and by the way...if it is a replacement engine, the numbers might not be on the drivers side front head.....but the numbers are ALWAYS on the side of the block....have fun!