Cortina MK3 with V8 Dodge 318

[TIB3300]

Hello again
As said in my introducton I NEED A V8 in my life
Here's what I have in mind, MK3 Cortina with 318 and T5 manual box.

Here is the car as it is 1974 MK3 2000E

The car has been in hiding for 20 years, me and a friend rescued three cars in tolal the MK3 a capri and a sierra

[Super Sloth]

Are you sure a 318 is the best way to go? They are very heavy.
I would have thought a more compact and lighter Rover V8 would be a better choice for a small car like that. Or, perhaps an LS1? They are similar dimensions to a RV8 - just a bit wider at the bottom of the block and don't give you the weight penalties of cast iron?

Good luck with the project.

[TIB3300]

Hiya Jon
"Are you sure a 318 is the best way to go?"
No!,, but I do know I want a V8 with the best sound and the Mopar does it for me.

As for the weight,
The Ford 3ltr Essex weighs 379lbs, While the 318 weighs 525lbs only 146lbs difference.

The engine bay on the cortina is approximately 700mm wide x 750mm long, this is not taking into account the slam panel area.
. I do have a 1969 318la already ,which is at the moment measures 600mm wide by 800mm long."
I'm currently experimenting with shortening the ally water pump at the moment

[TIB3300]

This is the lump I intend to use , 318la I acquired form Ebay as a box of bits. The chap I got it from had started to rebuild it 15 years ago so It came with some new parts oil pump fuel pump ect

[TIB3300]

So why am I here with a cortina MK3 ?

Well,,, I've not owned a V8 since the late 80s, when I bought a Rover SD1, I had it two weeks before I got fed up of putting a fiver in it ever time I got in it I know very little about V8s apart from they sound awesom

I now need a V8 in my life before I die or get into one of them electric buggies, the engine I need in my life is a
Mopar V8 . I love building things and this will be the next build

[Pete]

If it is a standard or even up-rated Hydraulic or Flat tappet cam, check that with the cam installed the Lifters rotate in the Lifter Bores when the cam is turned over. You will be in a world of pain if all the lifters do not spin....

[Blue]

Mate of mine tried to drop a 273 into a Mk3 Cortina donkeys years ago. I can't remember it being a particularly easy swap, it never got finished.

[TIB3300]

If it is a standard or even up-rated Hydraulic or Flat tappet cam, check that with the cam installed the Lifters rotate in the Lifter Bores when the cam is turned over. You will be in a world of pain if all the lifters do not spin....

Thanks Pete For the heads up

Why is this a problem area ?

[TIB3300]

Mate of mine tried to drop a 273 into a Mk3 Cortina donkeys years ago. I can't remember it being a particularly easy swap, it never got finished.

Life's about a challenges,,, if you don't want challenge buy a nissan micra

Did he say any problems he come across?

[Blue]

Really can't remember now it was 30 odd years ago, all I can remember was him giving up because it wasn't working out.

[Bozwell]

I know this is a Mopar forum but the trusty ford 302 V8 is a better choice, correct for a Ford, and smaller.

if you want to squeeze the Mopar 318 into something then a Sunbeam Alpine would be an interesting choice. distributorless ignition will sort the distributor fouling the windscreen problem.

[TIB3300]

Really can't remember now it was 30 odd years ago, all I can remember was him giving up because it wasn't working out.

OK no prbbs, you dont look that old

[TIB3300]

I know this is a Mopar forum but the trusty ford 302 V8 is a better choice, correct for a Ford, and smaller.

if you want to squeeze the Mopar 318 into something then a Sunbeam Alpine would be an interesting choice. distributorless ignition will sort the distributor fouling the windscreen problem.

Baz'
This toy is going to be all about the sound and the 302 just doesn't sound as good as a Dodge .Ive been doing lots of research over the past year.
Ford 302, Length from rear mounting surface to water pump pulley,,,, 736mm
Ford 302 Width outside of valve cover to outside of valve cover,,,, 556mm

Dodge 318 Length from rear mounting surface to water pump pulley,,,,, 800mm
Dodge 318 Width to end of exhuast studs ,,,,,, 600mm

"Sunbeam Alpine" I like cortinas

[Bozwell]

I can quite understand a challenge as I have squeezed an S2000 engine into a tiny Honda S800

and having a 318 in my Barracuda I can't hate on them it's just they are not as easy to get tuning parts for. The 273 has a stronger forged crank and will go straight into the 318 as well as the adjustable rockers and solid lifter cam. or there are bore and stroke kits available to take them to over 6 litres.

the '67 318 has the same 273 forged crank otherwise they are cast in the post '67. (mine is a '67 318 in a '66 vehicle but I have yet to pull the sump off to see if it has the wide seam on the crank.)

[Dave81]

Look forward to the progress pics. Ali heads would lower the weight a bit.......got to love a 318. Can be stroked out to 390/392 if that takes your fancy and those can make around 400 reliable horsepower and more ft lbs.

The Mopar sound does come at a cost though. Expect to pay the Mopar premium on any parts you want. I believe the average is around 30% more than the comparable Chevy part.

Just get the parts mix right and the compression in the right place and the 318 can be a great tool. Id have one over the RV8 any day. Spent enough time with the TVR crowd to see the limitations of the Buick design.

Watching with interest.......