Buying '78 Lil Red Express Truck

[Wayne M.]

The little 340 that could, beating out the gas,tires and oil. That bore and stroke on the 340 was the ticket.

That’s right, Dave. The 360 is a 4” bore(less) X 3.58” (more) stroke than a 340. (4.030 X 3.31)

 

[gsbrockman]

Tell em to whack off plenty.

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[DonFitzwater]

I think you should put a 518 stroker big block Chrysler in that little red truck.

 

[DavidC]

Probably still holds true. When going from a small to big block required the K member to be changed so it is a little more involved.

 

[Wayne M.]

I think you should put a 518 stroker big block Chrysler in that little red truck.

Why would you do that when you can have a 416 in the same small block package?
In the B engine conversion, Dave, there are mount kits today- no more K swaps, but in the case of this truck, it’s only mounts, Pan and headers. I converted my ‘81 D350 to a 400.

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

I think I'm going to pull the factory wheels and have them rechromed... These likely were badly rusted, so were sanded and painted with chrome trim rings. If I weren't committed to keeping it OEM, I REALLY like chrome reverse rims with baby moons... friend had a 64 Satellite with painted rims and baby moons... super sharp!

 

[Wiredawg]

Ron, Stick to your plan don't get draw-en to dream land ideas, you drove as stock was plenty fast and considering is not daily driven!

Yep, keep'n her stock... I'd be going the other way though if Wayne, Jim, you(?) and others were down here to help wrench on it. But it is a cool ride and way fun to drive.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Why would you do that when you can have a 416 in the same small block package?
In the B engine conversion, Dave, there are mount kits today- no more K swaps, but in the case of this truck, it’s only mounts, Pan and headers. I converted my ‘81 D350 to a 400.

Because there is no replacement for displacement! The LA strokers are a cool motor and make power but those BBC's make giant numbers.......if you are willing to spend the $$$. Hey, it's not MY money!!!

 

[Wiredawg]

my motto, spend all the money and leave the kids the house

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,
I'm thinking roller rockers would be a good upgrade if they fit without changing the standard height valve covers. I see they come in 1.5 and 1.6... any recommendations?

The heads are still at the machine shop. I aksed the owner and no additional labor cost to install them above the parts cost.

Thanks for the input.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wayne M.]

Negatory on the roller rockers! If you were going with a huge cam and not streeting it much, then I’d say yea, but running those are a big hit to durability.
BUT if you insist, the only brand I’d use would be Harland- Sharpe. 1.6 is a nice idea, but that puts more pressure on the lifter (to pump up)

 

[HPSimpson]

Will need more information how much of head was shave off to give more than a guess if I was guess would be 1.5! I would be better less pressure involve.

 

[Wayne M.]

Rereading the post-
There’s no modification or effort to install roller rockers on a LA engine- they bolt right on. They should be preassembled on a hi strength shaft. They will fit under a stock cover. You might need different pushrods though.

 

[HPSimpson]

In all likelihood will have to install new lifters to match roller rockers normal they come with longer pushrods, you just need to tell installer, since sounds like they do this type of work will know already.

 

[TFucili]

Rereading the post-
There’s no modification or effort to install roller rockers on a LA engine- they bolt right on. They should be preassembled on a hi strength shaft. They will fit under a stock cover. You might need different pushrods though.

I don't have the Mopar knowledge, but I had to laugh, 'cause as on old but reformed Ford guy, when the subject of rocker ratios, and valvetrain swaps comes up it strikes the fear in ya like a bolt of lightning.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Rereading the post-
There’s no modification or effort to install roller rockers on a LA engine- they bolt right on. They should be preassembled on a hi strength shaft. They will fit under a stock cover. You might need different pushrods though.

I have rebuilt three Magnum small blocks and installed Harland Sharpe rockers. One of them has 201,000 miles as of this morning. Running Honda Marine 10w30 FCW rated oil too......is that taboo??!?!!?!!

 

[Wiredawg]

I had a 1996 Ram 1500 with 5.9 Magnum I installed roller rockers, Mopar HP ECM, Doug Thorley headers, Magnum exhaust and replaced 3.54s with 3.92s. It was nice truck, had great HP, TQ and got ~16MPG combined.

 

[Wayne M.]

I have rebuilt three Magnum small blocks and installed Harland Sharpe rockers. One of them has 201,000 miles as of this morning. Running Honda Marine 10w30 FCW rated oil too......is that taboo??!?!!?!!

Aww c’mon Don. LRE is not a magnum. The whole valvetrain is totally different. That is good to know though.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

I agree on shaving the heads - no recommendation on how much though. Years ago I had a 225 Dart - shaved the head .090 if I remember correctly - that helped it a lot.

Done all sorts of stuff to various Mopar motors most were good, a few were "learning experiences" (I really hate those!).

Ron are you just doing the heads or are you gonna do anything to the lower end (reseal, check bearings, etc)?

 

[Wiredawg]

I agree on shaving the heads - no recommendation on how much though. Years ago I had a 225 Dart - shaved the head .090 if I remember correctly - that helped it a lot.

Done all sorts of stuff to various Mopar motors most were good, a few were "learning experiences" (I really hate those!).

Ron are you just doing the heads or are you gonna do anything to the lower end (reseal, check bearings, etc)?

Dan,
So far, just the top end. I had thought about going through the whole motor, and that was probably a better idea. We'll see how it turns out.

Haven't bugged these guys as I've been pretty busy with other things.

Cheers, Ron