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The 360 That Wasnbt

"You folks are gonna love this

"You folks are gonna love this one. I've written before about my 1973 Luhrs 25 Sportfisherman with a 360 Chrysler - well, long story short, when I was poking around the engine to get all the numbers I could, I discovered that it is in fact a 318. At least, the numbers seem to bear that out: I found the Chrysler tag (saying LM318BVR15, etc.) but knowing that tags are removable I also found 2535030 318 5 on the left side of the block forward of the heat exchanger. We've had the boat just about a year, and when I called the previous owner he seemed as surprised as I was. Probably a dumb question, but wouldn't those numbers on the block show that it is in fact a 318? And, it seems from a bit of searching that the LM318 was produced in the late 60's. Not the end of the world - we get good performance out of the engine whatever it is, and I'd probably rather it was a 318. I just wish I could pin down the year of manufacture for the sake of parts down the road."
 
Measure the size of the front

Measure the size of the front pulley bolt and get back to me. (A 318 used a smaller one than a 360--a dead giveaway.)

Jeff
 
"Yup, that's a 318.

Tha


"Yup, that's a 318.

That block# is a 1967-1975 casting so it's probably the boat's original engine. You can find manuals, etc. that will drill down the manufacture date even further....but no need really. The parts will be the same for those years.

It's a little odd that the previous owner didn't know the difference. Although, aside from internals, oil pan and a couple of other odds and ends, most 318/360 parts are interchangeable."
 
"Thanks Buehler; turns out the

"Thanks Buehler; turns out there is a fair amount that the previous owner didn't know about the engine. That's alright, though, it runs like a top and I like messing around with it - that's how I learn more about it."
 
"The 318's are great littl

"The 318's are great little motors. If you run it until it dies, you'll be running it for a long time.

If it tires out on you, a 360 will drop right in it's place if you chose to go that route."
 
Hummm... Might be a 360 after

Hummm... Might be a 360 after all. I'll check mine this week and get back to you.

Jeff
 
"Hey Charlie - the 1.25" h

"Hey Charlie - the 1.25" harmonic balancer bolt is consistent with that of a 318 (the pully is actually held on by several small bolts on it's inside perimeter).

Ultimately, your block ID tells the tale. Even if the engine was rebuilt/rehashed, a 360 rotating assembly will not fit inside a 318 block.....and your block is a 318 casting."
 
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