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Location: atlanta | I removed the radiator and the water pump from the stuck 318 poly in the 61 Plymouth a bought, when I got the water pump off, I found the passenger side water port from the engine completely blocked!, I'm sure this would have caused major cooling problems, any opinions on internal damage to the motor? the seller told me it has been parked since 73, I also found a very a heavily corroded ammeter lug that actually broke off when I tried to disconnect it, I think I'm beginning to understand why it was parked, especially since they had other classics to drive. I still haven't decided if I'm gonna rebuild it, find another poly, or go big block, the big block route is really gonna be a headache since it's a 3 speed on the column. |
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Expert 5K+
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Location: WHEELING,WV.>>>HOME OF WWVA | unless you're going for a show car or a high end driver , i'd go big block 4 speed . i'm keepin the 318 but going stroker . something i'll
probably regret by not going big block but a nice high HP 318 , 4 speed is going to be kool . even with the big block change , you can still
have a high end driver , with a quality build ! just keep the old parts for future use ------------------------------------------------later |
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Location: N.W. Fla. | fenix - 2013-06-15 4:10 PM
I removed the radiator and the water pump from the stuck 318 poly in the 61 Plymouth a bought, when I got the water pump off, I found the passenger side water port from the engine completely blocked!, I'm sure this would have caused major cooling problems, any opinions on internal damage to the motor? the seller told me it has been parked since 73, I also found a very a heavily corroded ammeter lug that actually broke off when I tried to disconnect it, I think I'm beginning to understand why it was parked, especially since they had other classics to drive. I still haven't decided if I'm gonna rebuild it, find another poly, or go big block, the big block route is really gonna be a headache since it's a 3 speed on the column. I'd finish taking it apart & see what all is wrong. The Polys can be bored up tp .120 over with a sonic check, though I tend to go for minimum over bore. They are thick wall castings. Assumi8ng it's a pre '62 a stroker crank would be a bit more involved(pre '62 has different bell pattern & crank flange than post '61 that has the LA set up). The BB would require a change of tranny |
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Location: atlanta | Yes, all the points i have to deal with, if it was an auto it would be easier, if it was a 62 it would be easier, if it was a BB it would be easier. Going BB means a whole new drivetrain, the stroker won't fit the bell and the trans wouldn't hold it, rebuilding the 61 318 seems a waste of money.
If i go to a post 61 motor the bell and trans won't work, I hate to rip out all the manual stuff to make it a BB auto, keeping the manual stuff seems to be a nightmare because the Z bar probably won't match up with a different bell, that means going to a hydraulic clutch.
Anyone ever do something like this?
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DSCF0960.JPG (175KB - 95 downloads)
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Location: N.W. Fla. | Pretty nasty looking! I'd still take it apart to see what shape it in besides probably not running anti-freeze.It it's too bad the easiest thing would be another pre 62 Poly, came in various sizes. |
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Location: atlanta | A pre 62 Poly in good shape is hard to find, I don't know about You, but every car I ever thought about buying just had the motor rebuilt (so they always said). I hear the early Hemi's have the same crank as the pre 62 Poly's, 8 bolt, not sure about the extended crank though, wonder if it would bolt to the bell and trans? |
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Location: atlanta | K, I have a budget of about 12K, I'm going crossram B motor with a 4 speed, who's gonna help me pull this off? (with advice/knowledge/been there and have the T shirt etc.) |
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Location: Chestertown, NY ( near Lake George) | I wouldn't do anything with this engine, imagine what the block and heads look like inside! |
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Location: atlanta | Ya think ! I won't toss it, but I ain't putting money in it. |
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Location: N.W. Fla. | fenix - 2013-06-16 10:22 AM
). I hear the early Hemi's have the same crank as the pre 62 Poly's, 8 bolt, not sure about the extended crank though, wonder if it would bolt to the bell and trans? Yes! Any early hemi other than the 51-3 long tail 331s. But a hemi is even more expensive than your A Poly. |
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Location: atlanta | Yep, thinking a 55 331 with the triple nickle heads, problem is i don't like an early hemi unless it's blown, guess it's a guy thing  |
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Location: ALABAMA, HEART OF DIXIE | fenix - 2013-06-16 7:58 PMYa think ! I won't toss it, but I ain't putting money in it.
Roger..... Have you tried posting in the wanted section here......? I know theres a few pre 62 318's that turn and may even run. All you need is the block assy. With a good core all you'll need is a cleanup bore, pistons, polish the crank and freshen the heads.
Edited by rockerarm 2013-06-17 1:09 AM
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Location: N.W. Fla. | fenix - 2013-06-16 10:21 PM
Yep, thinking a 55 331 with the triple nickle heads, |
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Location: atlanta | Yep, had one and let it get away, undecided on a motor right now. |
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Location: Peoples Republic of Oregon | fenix - 2013-06-16 8:21 PM
Yep, thinking a 55 331 with the triple nickle heads, problem is i don't like an early hemi unless it's blown, guess it's a guy thing
IMHO there is zero advantage to the 15555758 heads...but a lot of hype if you buy into that sorta thing.
The 3NE55 used the 1556157 and the engineers had their pick of casting in 1955.
In addition to the Hemi engines there are also the Spitfire (poly) engines (Windsor & Saratoga) and they are an excellent choice for what you describe. |
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318 poly exploration
