318 wide block educate me please

[Zymurgy]

This question comes from is a 66 Town Panel I listed in the Non c-bodies for sale section. Since this is an engine question, I thought I would post here. I talked to the guy and seems like a nice guy.

He said he put a 318 wide block in the van from a truck of the same period. Advantages/ disadvantages of having the wide block. He said it has a 2 barrel carb and mentioned that the intake manifold is unique so you don't much of any options there, so that's a negative. Any other feedback on the wide block would be appreciated. The engine has been rebuilt, but I didn't ask him for any details on the rebuild yet.

 

[detmatt]

I know virtually nothing about them but I do have a Mopar engines book that covers them at the shop. I don't think there's much in the way of performance parts available for them and the original 4bbl manifolds are few and far between because of demand for them.

 

[detmatt]

Are you gonna buy it?

 

[rexus31]

Performance parts for those are pricey because not a lot were made. Here's an option:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUPER-RARE-...Parts_Accessories&hash=item4d163b1672&vxp=mtr

 

[Zymurgy]

Are you gonna buy it?

Just educating myself right now. If I am I would probably wait until I could drive it or trailer it home on salt free roads. He is going to send some more pictures, I will post them back on the original post when I get them.

 

[Stormer]

Are you gonna buy it?

Just buy it already.

 

[commando1]

LMFAOROTF WITH A FACEPALM included. lol

Posted via Topify on Android

 

[jake]

Just buy it already.

Ditto!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Zymurgy]

I can see where this thread is going. I like spending other peoples money too.:yes_no:

 

[Stormer]

I see a flipping opportunity here. Since you're a little scared of a road trip...

Trade for 66 300?

 

[Zymurgy]

I see a flipping opportunity here. Since you're a little scared of a road trip...

Trade for 66 300?

I see how you work aaaaah NOixie:

 

[bluefury361]

I've been a fan of the A" 318 polypherical, (known as the poly ... and sometimes wide block), engines for a long time. The poly first arrived in 1956 as a 277 CID in the Plymouth and in 1957 was increased to 318 CID with two four bbl carbs as the standard Fury engine.

The shape of the combustion chamber is a partial hemi and the name derives from that. Due to the large and heavy cylinder heads the engine was redesigned after 1966, (67 in Canadian vehicles).
The block and most attaching parts will interchange with the "new" LA 318 so parts really arn't a problem.

They never were concidered a high performance engine and few aftermarket performance componants were developed for them, likely due to the size and weight of the engine. There was optional power pack packages offered by Mopar consisting of a 4bbl manifold & carb and a special camshaft with dual exhausts. The early versions used a carter WCFB carb and the later, (up to 1962) used an AFB carb. Original iron 4bbl manifolds are very rare and can bring $5-600.00. (I'm watching for one now.)

They are very reliable and supprisenly echnomical. My 61 Fury, 65 coronet and 64 Crewcab all are equipped with poly 318's.
The 2bbl in a car is rated at 230 HP and the 2bbl in a truck is rated at 200 HP.

 

[BillGrissom]

A wide block or "poly" is the "A" engine. The later "LA" engine (c.a. 1964, 273, 318, 340, 360) is a "light" version. Some parts interchange, but I wouldn't fool with one unless retired. The Magnum V-8 (~1990 - 2001) is the same basic small block (318 & 360), with better features (roller cam, MPFI) and many of parts interchange. You can pretty much swap all the small blocks I recall, other than the 360 has one different motor mount, torque converters can vary, and truck engines have a different oil pan. Read the AllPar site for more details.

 

[73satwagon]

The wide block 318, more properly call a POLY or POLYSPHERICAL, or A engine because of the combustion chamber design dates from the 50s and has some roots in the early hemis. It was used up to 66 in trucks and cars. Almost no parts interchange with the LA series 318. And speed equipment is difficult to find. If building for speed, I would just get a 318 or 360. If you just want a reliable indestructible engine, the POLY is as good as any MoPar engine, rebuild it once and it will last a lifetime. MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

[1Fury1]

This question comes from is a 66 Town Panel I listed in the Non c-bodies for sale section. Since this is an engine question, I thought I would post here. I talked to the guy and seems like a nice guy.

He said he put a 318 wide block in the van from a truck of the same period. Advantages/ disadvantages of having the wide block. He said it has a 2 barrel carb and mentioned that the intake manifold is unique so you don't much of any options there, so that's a negative. Any other feedback on the wide block would be appreciated. The engine has been rebuilt, but I didn't ask him for any details on the rebuild yet.

This is the poly going into my fury however its a 360 now. The wide block is a bit of a misnomer because the block is virtually the same size as the LA 318. However notice how the poly heads come off straight which gives it the wider appearance. The LA heads turn upward. I dont think you will find a more solid engine. You can buy the 4 bbl manifold from Weiand.

Hurry up and buy that damn panel would ya. Before I do.

 

[detmatt]

That's a good looking engine right there, like jewelry.

 

[commando1]

Work of art.

 

[bluefury361]

View attachment 22058
You can buy the 4 bbl manifold from Weiand.

Great looking poly. I have always liked the massive look of these engines..

I'm not aware of a 4bbl intake being currently offered by Weiand. A long time ago the offered one that was just marginally better then an OEM manifold, but they have been out of production for some time and as hard, or harder to locate as a OEM manifold.

There is currently a company who is claiming to have a new design manifold for the poly in final stages of production. Their asking for a pre production sale price of $399.99 and want $499.00 once avaliable.

If you have any information on currently avaliable 4bbl poly intakes i'd like to know about them. My 61 Fury needs one.

 

[commando1]

Their asking for a pre production sale price of $399.99

If not vaporware, Guinea Pig...

 

[1Fury1]

[/B]
If you have any information on currently avaliable 4bbl poly intakes i'd like to know about them. My 61 Fury needs one.

http://www.moparmecca.com

Bill Richardson is the builder of my poly and he located the Weiand 4bbl intake for me. It may be worth giving Bill a call.