76 fury 360 engine swap
MoPar Greg
In a message dated 97-02-08 05:30:01 EST, you write:
<< Subj: 1976 Plymouth Fury
Date: 97-02-08 05:30:01 EST
From: efr...@worldnet.att.net (James E. Frier)
Reply-to: efr...@worldnet.att.net
To: mopa...@aol.com
Hi, Greg!
I just finished posting this question to the Usenet, and I came across
your posting. I have a few questions. I have a 1976 Plymouth Fury
(Salon) with a 318/2-bbl. This vehicle was originally owned by the
local P.D. and was used as their undercover car. It is not a "fleet"
vehicle, and it does not appear to have any high performance or heavy
duty components.
I wan to convert this vehicle from a 318/2-bbl. to a 360/4-bbl. but I
have some questions:
1) Do you know for sure if this model was made available with a
360/4-bbl.?
Note: If it was, I can do the swap. If it wasn't, I can't "legally" do
the swap. I live in the People's Republic of California, you see.
2) Do you know of a knowledgeable source of technical information
directly from the Mopar people at Chrysler?
3) Do you know of anyone in the San Francisco Bay Area with knowledge
and experience in doing this kind of swap?
4) I know a guy at a local shop who claims to be able to get 18 MPG
from a Chrysler 360/4-bbl. He says its all in the lift and duration of
the cam. Any thoughts on this?
5) How much would you expect this to cost - including a new exhaust and
beefed-up tranny and rear-end, etc.?
Any information you can give me is greatly appreciated!
Thanks, James
Greg Purcell/Purcell Enterprises
1990 Sportsman Rd
Felton, DE 19943
302-284-8791
e-mail MoPa...@aol.com
Hi James:
In answer to you questions:
1. The 76 fury was available in both 360 -2bbl and 360 4-bbl
configurations. It also could be equipped with with a 904 or a 727
transmission. (important swap note later)
2. THE best technical source (other than ME...lol) is the MOPAR
PERFORMANCE ENGINE and MOPAR PERFORMANCE CHASSIS manuals available from
any Mopar Performance dealer. These books (sometimes called the "Mopar
Bibles") give all the part numbers, trick tips, do's and don'ts, and
history of every Mopar engine and most cars through the 70's. Most of the
info I quote, if not from personal experience, comes from these
publications!
3. Unfortunately, I have NEVER been to San Francisco (although I DO
watch Nash Bridges every Friday night ...lol). I recommend looking in
MoPar Collectors' Guide for a qualified person in your area.
4. 18mpg from a 360-4bbl is NOT at all uncommon with a street 360,
reasonable driving habits and the right cam choice..(I have had many
company trucks with 360's which got 18-20mpg) Choose stock or nearly stock
grinds, or tell your cam dealer what you want the car to do. REMEMBER:
when trying to decide between two choices...ALWAYS choose the smaller
option! You'll be happier in the long run!
5. Cost is always the hardest item to measure! You can spend
thousands, or do it for hundreds, depending on what you expect from the
car! You could buy the $3500 Mopar 360 crate motor, or buy a running $300
junkyard piece... The old saying holds true: "Speed costs MONEY...HOW FAST
DO YOU WANT TO GO?"
In your favor, is the fact that it was a police vehicle...Most 318 cop
cars came with heavier rears and sway bars and beefier brakes (usually
even on the "Non enforcement" vehicles)..You may not have to change the
trannie and rear, depending on the performance level you want.
Now to answer what you DIDN'T ask: (the swap itself)
The 360 into 318 car is a BOLT IN SWAP with a few very important
differences:
1. 360's have a cast crank and balance weights on the torque
converter! The 360 was available with either a 727 trans or a 904. Your
trans (904 or 727) will bolt to the 360 BUT you will need to address this
"weight" problem!
There are three ways to solve this problem:
a. Get a 360 converter for your transmission. This will
have the correct weights. You MUST use a 904/360 converter in
a 904 and a 727/360 converter in a 727. (they are NOT interchangable)
b. Get a weight kit and weld the 360 weights onto your
current converter. These kits used to be available from Mopar Performance,
and came with a template instructing you where the weights must be placed.
c. The EASIEST way: B&M now makes a BALANCED FLEX PLATE.
You can get it from any speed supply house. This item balances the motor
in the plate, allowing the use of ANY unbalanced torque converter (even
the stock 318 converter currently in your car)
2. The second difference is the driver's side motor mount. This is
slightly different from a 318. You can re-use your passenger side from the
318, but buy a driver's side FOR a 360.
All of the "bolt-ons" should be the same and even the exhaust manifolds
will bolt on (if you don't want to change the exhaust) NOTE: 318 manifolds
have slightly more restriction than 360 manifolds, but , if your pipes
are good, I don't think the difference is worth the cost of changeover on
a street car.
I hope this answers a few questions! Good Luck
Greg Purcell