318 Poly to 360 Swap

[deppmobile]

After another summer of smoky running, I finally decided to swap out my 318 Poly in the 66 Belvedere.

The plan is to drop in a 360 (thanks Clive!) and use it while I rebuild the Poly at my leisure (bank balance allowing.)

I now have the 360 long block on the engine stand, and am planning for the swap, and picking up parts. Just wondering if anyone on here has done this swap and has any watch-outs?

What I know so far (I think!)
360 flexplate needed so can run original 318 torque converter
360 headers needed
318 poly distributor should work
Bundle of brackets to make power steering and alternator work
Engine mounts are different (haven't got to the bottom of that one yet)


Anything I've missed?

Thanks!

Gerry

[Blue]

You need a B&M 360 Flexplate for the swap, it is weighted the stock 360 one is not, that's all I can help you with.

[deppmobile]

Sorry!

Should have been in Engine Tech

[Blue]

Sorted...

[Pete]

I bet the exhaust / headers / outlets are different between a Poly and an LA.

[Dart Vader]

soooo, the swap I've done then

[Dart Vader]

going by my A Body 318 to 360 swap...

engine mounts will be different, look at Schumacher for those, the 360 block has different style holes for the mount to a normal 318

headers, well I guess I don't know on a Belv but what I do know on a dart it's a pain to make them fit around s steering links, power steering,starter motors and general embuggerance. I'm going back to manifolds.....

I had some spacers made to raise the engine slightly to assist with the the above. 2 x 6mm plates, sandwiching the biscuit mount. Belv might not be needed.

apart from that all ok, I've got a nice cam that still gives me vacumn etc. 360 is a good engine

[Blue]

soooo, the swap I've done then

No, a 318 poly is a totally different engine to the 318 LA which you had.

[deppmobile]

Thanks chaps!

All helps!

A bit more digging suggests the motor mounts may work with some spacers. The headers will be a mare I think - if the ones on the poly (which are different) are anything to go by, clearance will be a problem.

Nothing is ever easy!

Gerry

[Blue]

Cheap headers are easily sourced for a 360 in a B Body, don't chop up the poly headers they are expensive to replace. Personally, unless you are dead set on originality I would sling the poly over the nearest hedge, big block weight for small block power, hard to get parts for and just why?

[deppmobile]

I've been through exactly that thought process myself!

The 360 when it goes in will be a really nice engine, and better than the Poly - but so many Polys have been chucked over hedges, that my love of the underdog makes me want to keep it!

They have quite a following now, and there is some quite sought after kit on mine.

But it may end up as another project without the time and money to finish, along with all the others!

Gerry

[Dart Vader]

Sorry totally didn't see the poly bit.

Internet in this part or Ireland is a mare and just using phone screen