Clueless Boomer
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Can any owners of vehicles with Dodge 360 engines help me out here? I’m trying to figure out which engine/head casting #’s identify the heavy duty version of the Dodge LA 360, the 360-3. It’s the version for truck & RV (and I assume, military) use. If anyone can post the block casting # from their 360-3, it would be very helpful. (It’s located on the driver’s side above the starter, in this form: 4006830-360-2.) The best I’ve been able to do is narrow it down to 2 or 3 #’s by clicking the link to a guide from mymopar.com. Their Engine/Head Numbers Guide 1942-2000, shows 5 engine casting #’s in the V8 Trucks & Industrial section located near the back. It shows that 3 were designated for gasoline-powered trucks and vans from years 1989-1975. However, it does not specify which #’s apply to the 360-2, and which apply to the 360-3 version.
I’ve found there are several ways to differentiate versions of the 360 engines, including:
• VIN # (5[SUP]th[/SUP] digit = K on 360-3 version)
• oil sump location in the pan (van=front, car=center, truck=rear)
• 2 bbl vs. 4 bbl carburetor (360-3 has 2 bbl)
• presence or absence of A.I.R. (smog) in heads (360-3 has none??)
• EGR valve (360-3 has one)
• spark plug thread diameters––14mm vs. 18mm dia.on 360-3
Why am I making a big deal over this? I'm trying to figure out if an engine I'm buying is an LA 360-3 heavy-duty engine or not. It came from a 1978 RV, its block casting # is 4006830, & it has a rear sump oil pan. I don't know its head casting # yet or spark plug size (it's in a yard halfway across the country.) Its heads match a photo from page 23 of that guide showing the 1990-75, 360 Dodge W/A.I.R. head. But these post-smog heads are mounted on what should be a pre-smog engine. (Was original motor replaced?) Any idea what I've got, or which block/head casting numbers conclusively identify the heavy-service 360-3 engine? Your help would be much appreciated, since I want to be certain the engine I'm investing in rebuilding is the correct one to upgrade the (deceased) 318 in my 1973 Winnebago. My apologies for dragging a civilian question into your military forum, but your members are the most knowledgeable I've found on the 318 to 360 engine swap and a slew of other topics of interest for my project. You’ll have my sincere thanks for any assistance your Dodge boys can offer.
Clueless Boomer
I’ve found there are several ways to differentiate versions of the 360 engines, including:
• VIN # (5[SUP]th[/SUP] digit = K on 360-3 version)
• oil sump location in the pan (van=front, car=center, truck=rear)
• 2 bbl vs. 4 bbl carburetor (360-3 has 2 bbl)
• presence or absence of A.I.R. (smog) in heads (360-3 has none??)
• EGR valve (360-3 has one)
• spark plug thread diameters––14mm vs. 18mm dia.on 360-3
Why am I making a big deal over this? I'm trying to figure out if an engine I'm buying is an LA 360-3 heavy-duty engine or not. It came from a 1978 RV, its block casting # is 4006830, & it has a rear sump oil pan. I don't know its head casting # yet or spark plug size (it's in a yard halfway across the country.) Its heads match a photo from page 23 of that guide showing the 1990-75, 360 Dodge W/A.I.R. head. But these post-smog heads are mounted on what should be a pre-smog engine. (Was original motor replaced?) Any idea what I've got, or which block/head casting numbers conclusively identify the heavy-service 360-3 engine? Your help would be much appreciated, since I want to be certain the engine I'm investing in rebuilding is the correct one to upgrade the (deceased) 318 in my 1973 Winnebago. My apologies for dragging a civilian question into your military forum, but your members are the most knowledgeable I've found on the 318 to 360 engine swap and a slew of other topics of interest for my project. You’ll have my sincere thanks for any assistance your Dodge boys can offer.
Clueless Boomer