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Mopar 318/360

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Jrobz23, Mar 21, 2017.

  1. Mar 21, 2017
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

    Northern, WI
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    Anyone run of these? They are often found free and the excellent NP435 will be a native match. I tried to find pics of a build but only found 'i knew a guy' type threads.

    The big perk for me with these is common spare parts with my trucks.
     
  2. Mar 21, 2017
    1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

    Mesa, Arizona
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    If you found them free, be ready to do a full rebuild on them.
     
  3. Mar 21, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Novak has an article ... The Novak Guide to the Chrysler / Dodge / Mopar Small Block V8 Engine

    I think the main problem is not with the engines, but with the availability of knowledge and expertise. There's a lot of documentation of small block Chevy swaps, and even small block Ford swaps, and not so much the Mopar/Chryco engines. There's some opportunity for junkyard swaps, since the CJ-7 came with the A999, and I expect you could make a case swap to a 42RE or other Grand Cherokee transmission, and use a New Process transfer case. Should be fairly easy to find and affordable from the yards or a donor.
     
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2017
  4. Mar 21, 2017
    1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

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    Would it not also depend on the years of the engines? If I remember right the 273/318 from before about '71 or so were different from those afterwards. And I believe the 318 used in the Grand Cherokee after the mid-'90's was also different, wasn't it? It will make a big difference trying to get one into a -5 or -6. At least before AMC got into the act.
     
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  5. Mar 21, 2017
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    All LA 318 and Magnum motors are basically the same 1967 thru 2003, the difference would be the 318 polyhead A motors, last ones were built in 1966. Same motor mounts on the block, same bellhousing mounts. The main difference between the LA motor and Magnum motors is the heads. The 273, 318 and 340 share the same crank and most all internals, the 360 is a different crank, larger mains. Heads are interchangeable on all LA blocks and Magnum motors, you will have to fit the intake to the headstyle LA or Magnum. The 340 and I think the 360 have a different passenger side motor mount but thats a bolt on part. For the most part an LA engine and a Magnum motor are the same when it comes to swaps, Magnum has much better heads and breathing but the LA motor has the superior shaft mounted rockers over the Magnum using Chevy style pedestal mounts. Its really a wash but these engines are pretty much bulletproof.
     
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2017
  6. Mar 21, 2017
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

    Northern, WI
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  7. Mar 21, 2017
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    The small block mopar compared to a small block chevy for size.

    Chevrolet 262-400
    Dimensions: 26 inches wide, 28 inches long, and 27 inches tall
    Weight: 575 pounds
    Sump Location: Rear
    Starter Location: Right

    Chrysler 273-360
    Dimensions: 24 inches wide, 29 inches long, and 27 inches tall
    Weight: 550 pounds
    Sump Location: Front
    Starter Location: Left
     
  8. Mar 21, 2017
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

    Northern, WI
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    My motor is from a truck, so it's got a rear sump. I'll have to look at the starter position and see if it'll interfere with the brake master.
     
  9. Mar 21, 2017
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

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    That starter may be an issue. I'd like to see any pics if someone has any.
     
  10. Mar 21, 2017
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    You might also have to run a mopar 90 degree adapter for the oil filter like they did on the 340's in the A body cars. My Duster didn't require it but it made things much easier.
     
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  11. Mar 21, 2017
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

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    Cool call and ty for the feedback
     
  12. Mar 21, 2017
    1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

    Mesa, Arizona
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    One thing to consider also, is that the waterpumps have longer snouts in the 318 and 360 by an inch to an inch and a half. You may have to move your radiator forward to clear the fan.
     
  13. Mar 21, 2017
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    This is an interesting discussion for me right now. A couple months ago, I brought home a U-Pull NP435 with passenger drop chain transfer case with something like 2:62(?) low range from an '85 Ramcharger.
    A friend at my local scrapyard has an '80s Dodge 2 ton (former County truck) with 20,000 miles. Its got the 318 with a throttle body injection. I can get the engine and harness/computer for a few hundred $. The trans/tc are too long for a CJ, but this should make a nice drivetrain for a Willys Wagon. It likely will not overpower the 2 piece axle D44 and D25 if I keep tire size reasonable.
    This might help make a project move out and down the road.
    -Donny
     
  14. Mar 22, 2017
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

    Northern, WI
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    Yeah this would def require removing the shroud.

    I agree on the mild power. These 318s are pretty tame and really smooth motors. I fancy myself a 'Chevy guy' but these 318s have grown on me.
     
  15. Mar 22, 2017
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

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    The Magnums run a serpentine belt setup too, which is nice.
     
  16. Mar 22, 2017
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

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    The Np208 is beefy but the 435 isnt all that long when the tail housing is removed to adapt to the Spicer18
     
  17. Mar 22, 2017
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    The 318 may be mild stock but you can build one to 400hp using junkyard parts real easy. These engines are very torquey for there displacement, actually when compared to a 360 they make more torque by displacement.
     
  18. Mar 22, 2017
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    I just checked to verify, and the TC is a 208D. The factory Dodge adapter between the trans and TC is 8" long, so in my case, way too long for a small Jeep excepting maybe a CJ6. This won't matter if it gets dropped in a Willys Wagon. An aftermarket adapter would cost more than I have in the whole assembly, which is around $280 including the Dodge bellhousing.
    -Donny
     
  19. Mar 23, 2017
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

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    It's gonna be a tight fit if you wanna keep the stock clutch linkage rod setup. It's gonna be right up against the front cross member, or maybe even require removing the lip (or moving the whole member forward).
     
  20. Mar 25, 2017
    waynaferd

    waynaferd Hey, ya'll watch this!!

    That's Bangor,...
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    I've been looking at this for 10 years now....maybe....have a 100% rebuilt 87 318, 727, 208...too long for my 55, but I did snatch up a 77 cj7 and I think it'll go into that....tranny and t case have both been rebuilt, so want to run them...208 is pass drop

    All I've been able to find is people taking the 318/360s out of grand Cherokees and dropping them into their TJs....only have a few wires to splice but everything's pretty near the same

    I have a T18 in my cj7, and have yet to find an adapter to the mopar SB....727 to d20/d300 are easy, I believe just the right output shaft from an AMC 727 to the dodge 727...not 100% ....I think you'll need the jeep adapter too, so that'll save some length

    I haven't measured anything yet, but 999s and whatever trannies fit in YJs and TJs have autos too, so I have that going for me...plus no slip yoke on the 208, and it's clockable as is.

    But narrow front end and the kick out on the tranny pan will be a front drive shaft issue...


    Sorry for the rambling, trying to remember the high points as it's been awhile since I looked into this...the 258 runs fine so no big rush to start another big project either lol
     
    Last edited: Mar 25, 2017
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