newer 360 or older block?

[creek1]

I have a 360 remanufactured and asked for an older 360 block (due to thicker piston walls), I was told they only had newer mid 80's blocks on hand. When I finally got mine the block casting says 1973. What year did the thickness change? Much appreciated!
Thanks,
Ken

[LA360Dart]

Hello creek1;

From my understanding when Mopar stopped making 340',s that ended the thicker 360 blocks as the core was using the 340's casting tooling. Some time after the blocks got new tooling when I'm not sure.

Denny

[creek1]

Thanks for the input Denny. I once had the date saved but the puter crashed and I lost it.
So hows Long Beach doing these days? I used to live in Downey and Bellflower.
Seems to me that it was 72' and earlier but I dont remember.
Ken

[duster360]

depends on what you read, DLI (dick landy) says the thick blocks could be had till 75, other sources say 71-72 only. who do you belive?

[creek1]

Thanks Duster360. Yep, thats what I was looking for. Now I do remember it was the 71-72 that I had heard before. We'll who knows, if they might have ran till 75' I just might have gotten lucky!
Runnin flat top pistons for a 9.5:1 compression on 93 octane. Too bad its in a car that weighs 3800 lbs. Still got a good passing gear from a 100mph on the freeway.

[Tarrbabe]

In cases like this, I always go to mother. My engine book says the 360 kept the 340 waterjackes thru 76.

[creek1]

Thanks Tarrbabe,
Guess that answers that question. Cant wait for the next rebuild!
Ken

[jimbo7074]

What I have heard over the years is that the 360 block up to 74 kept the 340 water jacket.75&76 engines were a little thinner,but the thin wall castings were introduced in 77.

[creek1]

Thanks for replying jimbo. Im pretty sure now that my 73' block is the thick one. Thanks to you all.
Ken

[AAR4fun]

Look at the casting number. Castings with the last 4 numbers 8496 are the blocks cast with the 340 waterjackets and can be bored .060 assuming no dramatic core shift.

[creek1]

I will do that AAR4fun. Many thanks. Now I will for sure!
Ken

[Doug Wilson]

I ran the Goodyear store at 1514 N. Long Beach Blvd in Compton. Plenty of adrenaline then!! - 1972.