The Most Under Rated V-8 In History?

For generations Hot Rodders have tossed Mopar's least loved Small Block, the 318, onto the scrap pile without ever giving the engine a chance to prove itself. Here's a quick overview of its history, what makes it tick, and how closely it relates to the Giant Killer 340.

[@TheScoundrel70]

I used to hang out with a guy who had three uncles. Each LOVED engines, but had their own preference: one was anything Mopar, one was anything GM, and one was anything Ford. They were each an Uncle Tony as far as facts, figures, history, etc. a weekend at their farm was literally the equivalent of a full year of college. The thing that really struck me was how there was no arguing which was best, could make more power, or any of the expected bench racing debates and arguements. My friend had a 1951 Mercury with a supercharged small block Chev. My ride in those days was a 1980 f150 2wd stepside with at first a 302, then 390, then 429, then 351 cobra jet. Whatever vehicle we brought to tinker on or do something more significant to, all three brothers would enthusiastically drop their own projects and come and help, with whichever brand "specialist" taking the lead role with the other two interjecting useful anecdotes, stories, and encouragement. Everyone worked together and they made a point of making me do most of my own work, while guiding me with simple but thorough instructions and explanations. It was just a fantastic place to be. I even brought dates out with me, though being a teenager, I really didn't think that bit through too well, and didn't understand the bored looks I would be getting. My family eventually moved and we were just too far away to visit anymore but it had already shaped the rest of my life as far as a love for machines and engines of any sort. I remember they used to say that every engine had something great and every engine had something poor and so it made no sense to go all-in on one brand or another. I count myself lucky for the tiny bit I absorbed, and the time wandering through the barns of Studabakers, Hudsons, MGs, Rovers, VWs, John Deere, McCormic, Cockshut, Renault, internationals, etc. etc. etc., all on engine stands or cradles, and the curator level tours I got about each engine. Listening to Uncle Tony reminds me of that so much.

[@hotwelder21]

That's such a great story man. The funny thing is that I own a 383 BB Mopar that has Chevy valve springs because Mopar springs weren't that great at the time.

[@tking7513]

You were very fortunate, really the "good old days" !

[@aijeMnairdA]

This is the reason I got into cars, men like them are genuine people that are coming harder and harder to come by. Appreciate the times you have with guys like that 👍🏽

[@MrJohnnyDistortion]

So, which was the best? 😃

[@joshuaatkins5197]

Nice. My old man was a Dodge diehard, my uncle was Ford all the way and so I quickly turned to a GM brat. We used to bench race all the time. We're truck guys and use them hard. Like seeing who could haul a bigger load of wood. Funny part was it usually was just a test of tire durability 😂. I can remember way back doing the brakes on one of the old mans trucks. After breaking a bunch of wheel studs my uncle explained that that side was reverse thread. As the kid of the group I said, "well that's the stupidest thing ever!" My uncle who worked in the rock quarry industry laughed and said, "you clearly don't know shit about real heavy duty trucks because they're all like that." And the rivalry continued.. Fast forward 30ish years and things have changed. My old man has passed and now I have his 62 powerwagon. My uncles 76 F250 Ford that my grandfather bought new is now my daily, yes my daily. Now my uncle has a second gen cummins that's his pride and joy. Me? All my old GM's are gone and now I just have a 91 suburban with swapped in 1 ton drivetrain and running gear. Now Im getting ready to start work on the 62 powerwagon and I'm here trying to learn about the 318 that's in the 62. Originally I believe it was a 318 poly but I know the motor was swapped at some point for another 318 and I don't know if it's a poly or a LA series. This engine hasn't ran in 15 years give or take so please everyone wish me luck. The 62 will be passed down to my oldest son after I get to drive it for a while.

[@johnwick-ii6il]

I found two 318's at a scrap yard. They had just been dropped of by a boat dismantler. They both had four bolt mains and steel cranks with 4 barrels. The iron flywheels never had a clutch run on them. Also dual points with 8 qt oil pans. I scored them for $15 each. Never knew Mopar made a four bolt main 318.

[@UserUser-zc6fx]

There is a boat version of the 305 like this as well. When getting a heavy duty boat motor versions you have to make sure they are LH rotation, because some of the pre 90s units had reverse RH rotation.

[@JamesCat-qx6sb]

What a treasure! Are they LA?

[@niofbernier9944]

That guy knows every little detail. We’re running short on people like him.

[@david-leethompson62]

He Is Saving American Muscle! After the EMP... These will be the only source For electricity + heat!

[@BuzzLOLOL]

The 318's started in late 1950's...

[@shermanbird3248]

Yup! And the last expert on oil lamps recently died! Now what?

[@moparproud3978]

@@BuzzLOLOL Poly head though. Irrelevant to the discussion

[@BuzzLOLOL]

@@moparproud3978 - Polys are kewl...

[@lukeswyers9497]

Long ago Uncle Tony came off the mountain carrying small block Mopar build sheets etched in stone. Awesome video, thanks for spreading the knowledge out there!

[@christopher5585]

Lol....😅

[@BastardX13]

I totally see it!

[@MrJohnnyDistortion]

Those build sheets were etched in cast iron with a forged big block connecting rod.😃

[@jhend91]

My dad has been a mechanic all his adult life--fixing everything from lawn mowers to Caterpillar D-9s and Manitowoc cranes. His favorite engine was the 318.

[@maxbialystock254]

My 1968 Fury 2 with the 318 and a 727 auto was the perfect road trip cruiser. Drove it daily anywhere for 11 years 1984 to 1995 and sold it on in fine shape. A friend needed a car that could seat 5 child seats and her. No problem. On the highway 18 mpg easy at 70 mph all day. Had the heads done in 85 with hardened valve seats. Still miss it. The ride, the ease of steering, the low cost and incredible ease of maintenance, the comfort of that big bench seat with the floor vents and wing windows open on a summer evening.

[@Cfchild1]

I really appreciate Uncle Tony's philosophy of getting the most out of the engine design through tried and true improvements instead of just swapping the stock motor out for an LS.

[@SchnelleKat]

Guy really is a Mopar guru!

[@jacknickolstine3355]

Yeah shit is played out 5 years ago.

[@rustyshackleford6637]

I agree and I watched his video on old school power tips those were some cool ideas. Makes me want to build a 318 and I've never even rebuilt a motor before.

[@Skubasteph]

@@jacknickolstine3355 lol played out do you want heads that flow 300 cfm from the factory with 6 bolt mains for a tiny bit of money. that will never be played out.

[@jacknickolstine3355]

@@Skubasteph yeah yeah yeah, is what it is. What I wanna see is that 4 banger hit low 5s. Now that shit is interesting. I forget the race team, they are in Australia.

[@n2jve1989]

When I raced a local 1/2 mile high banked dirt track(Lebanon Valley Speedway) near Albany N.Y. I started out with a 72 Dodge Dart then went to a 73 Duster and had a 318 block, 360 heads and intake with a 340 purple cam. 3.23 gears I think 727 trans in 2nd gear. It was in the early 80's forgot some of the details.. This was all junkyard parts as 7 of us built cars out of this yunkyard. Had a great time and alot of fun for next to no money invested and we were all right up there in top ten points.

[@lautburns4829]

Love that track, go every year when Mopar action has the track for a show. You should go!

[@n2jve1989]

@@lautburns4829 i live 15 minutes away from the Valley as us locals call it.. When they did have the all Mopar day at the dragway, I was there with all Mopar gear on hat leather jacket shirt etc. The jacket was a big hit there..

[@lautburns4829]

Oh Kool, then I saw you. I’m always there with the Mopar action team. Rick,Sal, Tony, Cliff. Just look for the “Self-driving” Savoy.😅

[@n2jve1989]

@@lautburns4829 are you local to Lebanon Valley. I'm in Niverville, Columbia County

[@lautburns4829]

Yes down inNewburgh, but lived in Nassau lake, born in Albany so I’m a local boy. Also you must know “Mopar Dan” he’s right down the road from the track. 🤪

[@davidrobins4025]

Your wealth of knowledge is something I enjoy listening to as you describe the 318.

[@davenorman8251]

In Australia in the 70's you could buy a valiant charger powered by a 318 dirt cheap the popular purchase was the Pov pack (poverty pack) which was 318 with 3 speed trans and a high performance camshaft from the 340 (supplied separately)..my cousin bought one and got the cam fitted on the first service for $60...he later did some porting and valve work and it made for a potent street car...he used to call it the $3000 fire ball.

[@dougrobinson8602]

We had a 318 in our '73 Chrysler Plymouth Fury wagon. A seriously underrated engine. You just couldn't kill it because the output was so modest. It had a surprising amount of torque given the small displacement. It had no problem towing our boat. Great engine that deserves way more respect than it generally gets.

[@MrJohnnyDistortion]

It probably has a short 3:55 rear axle ratio giving the impression that the 318 was powerfull.

[@kuiper6926]

@@MrJohnnyDistortion i have a 3.07 ratio on my 318 2barrel dart and it does feel pretty strong even tho examples are different. Not a high performance out of the box, makes around 165 to the wheels, but does feel strong and steady for such a small displacement (when comparing to most engines with bigger or smaller displacement of that time)

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

I'm a big fan of the 318. What can I say, there's something about a super reliable and really good running engine I can appreciate.

[@bentboybbz]

I think the engineers got lucky with the design on this one. It’s probably just a good combo for the materials used. Every 318 I’ve come across was beaten really hard on or neglected really badly. But just keeps going. That’s why these are great engines to build on the cheap and beat on. They hold up so well on stock parts.

[@WhydoIneedahandleagain]

When I was a kid, my folks bought a 78 dodge van with the 318. Dad was in the army and got stationed in Germany and I remember that thing just singing down the autobahn at 110-120 (with the aerodynamics of a brick) for hours at a time. Finally retired that thing in the mid 90’s and sold it to my uncle who then put another 40-50k miles on it. It just kept going and going. The van ended up rusting away from around it but the engine was still strong.

[@lifestylemodificatio]

all the old timers that I talked to back in the days said "the 318 is bullet proof and reliable" I am 49 years old now....

[@jayarnold8883]

I'm 53. They're right. No flat lobed cam rod knocking junk here lol.

[@shermanbird3248]

There is no "bulletproof" anything. Those 318 (5.2L) engines had their problems as much as anything else. It's perspective based on personal experience.... otherwise known as Conclusion bias.

[@jayarnold8883]

@@shermanbird3248 any product has its limits. We had similar products in similar service at the time. I've discussed the weak points lol. Think of all the taxis and police cars from the late 70s and 80s. The 318 ruled . The 305 Chevrolet got a real bad reputation real fast in this Era for bad camshafts. Fords 302 was a solid package but was loaded with emissions equipment. All had strong points and weak. I will crawl back under my rock now that's 40 years ago lol.

[@GreeceUranusPutin]

If you leave the tiny BBD carburetor on it. Same thing for the slant six, except it's a BBS (the S means single barrel).

[@dantyler6907]

...and?

[@jesseaguirre2961]

as a kid i drove a 318,,,, GRAN FURY ,, DAMM THING NEVER DIED , AFTER OVERHEATING 3 OR 4 TIMES AND RUNNING OUT OF OIL 2 OR 3 TIMES , AND KEPT RUNNING ALTHOUGH IT EVENTUALLY SMOKED A BIT ,, BUT WAS QUITE AND VERY RELIABLE ,,, INDESTUCTABLE , UNLIKE TODAYS ALUMINIUM ENGINES , THX TONY, GOOD INFO ..

[@kraz904]

Watching any of your videos for a couple of minutes shows the decades of actual experience doing engines. A real treat and pleasure watching. I was taught many years ago, " you can't buy experience". The only problem that I see is that you have too much information to get out that you back up in your limited timed videos. You truly are an asset to those who haven't done what you've done...

[@randylear8264]

I had a 318 in my 71 Challenger. I put 340 heads, intake and timing chain. I also put a crane cam with high lift and 292 duration. The first causality was the 904 trans. Blew it out. I installed an A727 trans in it. Then blew out the 81/4 rear end. I then put an 83/4 4:10 in it. That car would haul butt. I used to street race here in Kannapolis NC. Had a blast with this setup. I bought the car in 1979. I still own it. It now looks like a 70 Challenger R/T in white. Only difference is it now has a built 340 in it. I have had this car longer than I have my boys😛

[@matthewpetersen4417]

I miss all the car guys in my life - its great when one would stop by in his 70 Chevelle with a Pabst blue ribbon telling you you're doing it like one of the Jerrys kids, but I learned so much from being around all of them. Especially how not to drink beer lol My mopar addiction is because of people like you and them. I really do appreciate watching stuff like this.

[@StevenBradley-sq6kg]

I watched one of these build shows build a inexpensive low tech two bolt main, iron crank, stock rod 318, and made 340 HP, that's impressive.

[@modelnutty6503]

its really not hard to get good power from a 318, 4 barrel+intake, swap the cam, dual exhaust, its not even a full tear down if the bottom end is good. 40 years ago that was typical high school auto shop stuff. swap in a low ratio axle and go have fun with it.

[@vlrdmtr]

Can you share the video with us ? Thanks

[@StevenBradley-sq6kg]

@@vlrdmtr ....no I can't, sorry it was one of those professional videos shows , can't remember, but I do remember basic 318 block, 2 bolt main, stock iron crank, basic stock rods, basic stock heads, ( pocket porting, BASIC three angle valve job ) something ( can't remember ) like a basic edelbrock performer intake, 1"5/8 exhaust headers and something like a low tech. hyd. lifter mid range cam, do that and you will get 320 - 350 hp on one of these PREPPED 318 small blocks.

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Nope... Best budget 318" build: www.hotrod.com/articles/318-small-block-build

[@StevenBradley-sq6kg]

@@BuzzLOLOL ...I didn't say it was the best, I said it was impressive for how low budget it was.

[@johnelshaw3549]

I have had 3 vehicles all with 318’s back in the day. Well one was called the 5.2L. This was an engine you could not kill, and I always wanted to find a way to pump it up. Bullet proof is the best way in my mind to describe it and I never avoided it because it did not have the hype of some of the other MOPAR engines. It worked for me. It would just run and run. I just did not have the knowledge, tools or skill set needed to bring out its best. It seemed the aftermarket performance parts was also limited. I wish I had just a piece of the knowledge he has about this engine. I would never have got rid of my Satellite or Ramcharger.

[@wallyg4445]

Always loved the 318. Long lasting engines! Fun when you put in the 340 cam, heads and four barrel! Also the 360, they could take a pounding!

[@ricklodestein1101]

The 1st 360 gen was horrible.

[@lickablestinkage7783]

I have magnum 360 myself and its held up to all my abuse so far

[@LBS-qw8gf]

THATS What mine had. 340 heads , nice cam ,big Carter 4 barrel.. it would make a 318 really fast. Those Motors were easy to work on. Not like today's Motors. 😮

[@CL600Sport]

I had a 1970 Barracuda with a 318 in it. I spun a rod bearing in 1975 so I rebuilt it. Here’s what went into my 318: early 340 forged steel crank, 340 rods, windage tray from an early 340, 340 heads with the 2.02” intake valves, adjustable rocker arms from a hi po 273, a Norris cam (don’t remember the specs), an Edelbrock 340 intake with a Holley 780 carb, and balanced by Edelbrock. It ran great, especially with 4.30 lsd 👍🏻 Won 2nd place at the Brotherhood Raceway (Big Willie Robinson) on Terminal Island in Jan 1977. Great memories 😃

[@20thCenturyMan]

I'm glad to see a video on the 318. I've owned the A version of the 318 and never had any problems out of it. They even offer those with dual exhaust and dual quad intakes.

[@malcolmboynton7652]

love watching the encycyclopedia of mopar .. as a former chevrolet mechanic this video reminds me of the old "how to hotrod your 283/327" nice job.

[@jonathanodell8854]

I've owned every American small block for my hauling service I done for 20 yrs and I gotta say yes that 318 was the smoothest quietest most reliable engine ever I had 4 of them in my d series pickup trucks for low revving torque turtling around less than 70 mph they were my favorite had 1 that went well past 300k no major repairs....

[@ws678ta]

Been a Mopar guy for 49 1/2 yrs, still own several Dusters, a '69 Roadrunner etc. My '75 Dodge Van had a 318 which was the BEST engine I ever owned bar none. Great job on the video , BTW , keep on truckin !

[@cabinetdad75]

I had a 318 in my 77 lwb. Added headers, cam and intake/carb. Straight pipes to cherries. Truck was geared stock with 33/10.50s It was a very solid, fun truck.

[@ryannylander1819]

Have had LA and Magnum based 318s and 360s. Multiples of each, across 7 different dodges. My favorite, the 318 Magnum in ‘93, which had a hotter factory cam, before going mild in ‘94+. Thinking of swapping one into my long travel ford Explorer desert truck, I loved it so much. Thanks for all these 318 facts.

[@davidvincent2051]

Hey Tony I grew up here in Australia and I ran a 318 powered 69 ozy made valiant in the late 80s deep in the 11s. I loved that motor!

[@OtherSarah2]

on my 5th (over 40+ years) 318 now. It's in a '97 1500 4x2 automatic. 230K on the clock and strong as ever. (Wore trucks off around four 318s, sold a '73 Swinger for more'n it cost me.)

[@usefullsw]

I had its predecessor, the Plymouth 301 and when tuned properly would do 7000 rpm. Had a lot of fun with it in the 1960s transplanted into a 58 Dodge with 4:11 gears and a three speed overdrive transmission.

[@joeycmore]

The memories... had a '83 van with a 318 and couldn't kill it. I tromped the gas to the floor until I ran out of gas; I over-loaded it with bricks until it wouldn't steer; I punctured the rad and drove home -100 miles apporox and got about 500 000 miles before rust and neglect took it. Boy, I sure wish I had it back.

[@charger19691]

Thank you for again shining a light on a real workhorse of an engine with a TON of potential. I’ve seen some 318’s run like a devil!!

[@autonomous_collective]

Mopar '302' High Swirl Cylinder Heads: The small chamber of these heads give your 318 a higher compression ratio, which is good for both power and fuel economy. If you need to build a low compression engine, these are still the best heads to use, but run them with dished pistons. Some builders report that for two otherwise identical engines (including compression ratio), an engine with dished pistons and small chamber heads can make as much as 20 horsepower more than an engine with flat top pistons and open chamber heads. The best intake by far for a 318 running "high swirl" cylinder heads is the Weiand 8007 Action Plus Intake Manifold. Running a large port intake with 318-style ports causes a "damn" in the intake path where the intake mates to the head because of the port mismatch. Most intakes designed for the 318 ports are economy-type manifolds that aren't really intended for high performance. The Weiand 8007 Action Plus is the only high-rise, high-performance intake designed specifically for the 318-sized intake ports. I have one on my Barracuda and I love it. If you're running 340/360 heads, the best intake is probably the Edelbrock Performer RPM (don't run it with 318 heads though). I really interesting option would be the single plane 2-bbl intake manifold that Mopar put on the 273 and some early 318. I think that with porting and Extrude Honing this manifold could be made to flow pretty well. Combine it with a tuned over-size 2-bbl carb from one of the low-end big blocks and you'd have one heck of a sleeper. 318 can be stroked to 348. This is a very cool modification to the 318. It's even easier now since Scat makes a 3.58" stroke crank that drops into the 318 (as well as the 340) without having to grind down the main journals. Or, Stroker Kit, 318 to 390 Cubic Inches.....Sleeper 3.0 Enough for now..... Cheers

[@livewireblanco]

UT you're making the engine I built. 318-3, ported the heads, Comp XE256H cam, edelbrock 600 carb, long tube headers. Runs great even with low compression!

[@timothycallahan6234]

When I was a kid in the 90s, we had a '73 D-600 with the 318-3 in it, and I remember running up the long hill to the silo with near 30k lbs gross weight at 40-50 mph. It pulled almost like the 427 tall deck chevy I drove later on, tearing roofs off. It was a great motor. We had to sell it at auction when we stopped farming, but my Pop recently found it in a field about 4 hrs away from him, blown up, no box, and missing the rear tires, and brought her home. I'm looking forward to helping him get that 318-3 roaring down the road again.

[@gregsanderson9617]

I ran 13.20 in high school with stock bottom end 318 in duster. I ported heads, LD4B intake crower compu pro cam, 904 trans.

[@logdog8920]

Hey Uncle Tony, as an old "Mopar" guy from way back, I feel a lot better after watching your SB 318 vidja. As back in about 1975 I bought a used 72 Barracuda with a bad running 340 in it. I took it 2 several mechanics who could get it to run good. So I went to a local salvage yard and got a low milleage 318 out of a 4 door Coronet. I always questioned my swapping a 340 for a 318, but that engine sure ran sweet.

[@davidolin9322]

I was really leaning toward pulling the 318 in my 76 Valiant after watching the daily driver series. But I think I will start with it and see where it goes. SO informative Uncle Tony. You guys are my favorite UTube channel

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Yo! Best budget 318" build: www.hotrod.com/articles/318-small-block-build

[@johnfarina6155]

My buddy had a 318 in a full size 1966 Plymouth and he flogged that thing. No problems ever. I think he hit 120 mph with that big beast every day. ( You are great Uncle Tony ! )

[@LongIslandMopars]

This was good information. I rebuilt my dad’s ‘66 273 to stock specs (but “0.030 over) with the exception of an Isky E-4 cam that I read good things about. Where I fell short was using flat-top pistons from Egge because they seem to sit low in the holes and as a result my compression is less than the factory’s 8.8:1 for a 2bbl 273. If I decide to pull the motor apart again, I’m going to go with Ross custom pistons to bring the compression up to 10.25:1, put on the 273 4-bbl intake that I bought, and have some fun. Thanks, Tony.

[@troymattingly3071]

The balance of the 318 engine is awesome for the time of it's design. They, also, stand up to overheating better than should be expected.

[@gordym6134]

I got one so hot on my boat, I just went ahead and found a new motor. Thought for sure it’d be done. Goofed around with it just to finish the season out and made a few minor repairs of heat damaged parts and it still runs to this day a few years later.

[@Billy-f2f]

Uncle Tony got to say that rigging on that engine reminds me of my shade tree days. Thanks for sharing.

[@holdenmad111]

In Australia we only got the 318 and 360 in our Chryslers ( All branded as Valiant, Valiant regal, Valiant Charger etc)

[@crazylarryjr]

I know full well the potential of the 318, My brother had one. it was built a little odd, it had stock short block (block, crank, rods and pistons) he had an unknown (name) cam with a .500"/300* duration (hyd.). He had a set of 360 heads, with valve springs so bad they floated at 6,000 RPM, with the mentioned cam. he had a I believe Edelbrock torker intake and a Holley 650 DP carb. This engine was mated to a 4 speed w/B&M Vertigate shifter (think hurst ram rod) with an Autozone stock clutch and a 3.55 10 bolt dodge rear. He used to street race in Athens Ga (stoplight duels) and to launch he had to rev it to 5,000rpm and shift at 6,000 rpm (remember the bad valve springs). He told me he won his fair share of the races. This was assembled with all my dads spare parts, other then new bearings everywhere except cam bearings, also new rings and a bead honing. The crank balancer hole was stripped out, so he JB welded it together with a stock balancer. That engine refused to die and started on the first hit, no matter how my brother treated it. We called it bits and pieces, because it had all the bits and pieces my dad would never use. Makes me want to build one thinking about it

[@daveowens9849]

The Mopar Mule. I owned to Plymouths, a 73 Road Runner, and a 74 Satellite with the 318. Drove the Satellite from Fort Carson, Colorado, to northern Indiana when I went on leave. Never failed me. Wasn't the head turner that the larger engines were, but the dang thing was still pretty solid. Streetlight to streetlight racing back in the day, I rarely lost.

[@chasebh89]

ive always shilled the 318, i absolutely love them in my two dakotas. reliable as the sunrise, durable as hell, low end torque for days-months-years, whichever comes last, built factory internals, and you can do anything you want to them for peanuts

[@joekurtz8303]

I helped put the first 1500 318's in the Dakotas at the Whittier works in 89,' at that Old Guys small skunk works, best job I ever had. Teardown crew. The 3.9 V6 & 318 had same front/rear block mounts and made the swap easier. TBI was used, and later models by Dodge got the multi point EFI, for better power. Enjoy!!

[@chasebh89]

@@joekurtz8303 I got a 91 and a 95, honestly I prefer the TBI

[@daveholland8467]

I had a 1960 Dodge with a 318 with a four barrel purchased from Colonial Dodge in Detroit. Also, had a friend with one

[@evil_me]

I've built a lot of 318s one late roller block with a cast crank took 20 psi of boost and lived for years (i tore a hole in the pan and killed it on track) but except for the 2bbl intake and basically nonexistent cam lift those engines are little gems.

[@billjamison2877]

In 1973, I bought a brand new Roadrunner with the 318 2 bbl rated at 170 HP. Using all Direct Connection parts, 4bbl manifold, purple shaft cam, headers, new valve springs, performance ignition system and a few other goodies, this car was Fast!! I went from a '69 Roadrunner to the '73 because of the gas situation at the time and just had to make it go fast and I did. Had it for 18 years!

[@jeremydavis340.]

Had a 318 in a 71 demon. 273 ported heads, 340 port matched intake, 650 edelbrock, hooker comps, and a purple shaft cam. Thing screamed.

[@ALGORITHMIC_EXILE]

that sounds like a dream car .... i think i will implement that build on my 73 road runner

[@markrandall1462]

Tony, As a fellow old school wrench spinner I feel compelled to comment on your thoroughly entertaining and spot on videos.from my first eng rebuild of a single cylinder lawnmower eng up to and including a Rolls-Royce merlin I like you have done so many engines I can't really count in over 50 yrs,you present everything in a common sense no bs manner,i have learned more than few tricks from your videos,by the way you are a funny guy I will be stealing and using some of your great lines,easternmongosqueegee,love it ,rock on man!!!!

[@hellcatredeye-g6582]

That was the very first engine that I’ve ever built when I was 16 years old😊 fast forward 39 years now I got the hellcat redeye 1000 power HP ..I’ve been a mechanic Since then.. 318 It’s still one of my favorite engines😎👍

[@graemeburr6463]

UT I'm a Ford man but I have learnt that your channel is the place to go on all stuff Mopar and I am learning, you certainly know your Onions and explain things in layman's terms....thanks. All our Chrysler products down here in New Zealand were sourced from Australia from the 60s' up. If you wanted a V8 the 318 is what you got. The 273 was available on early model Chrysler Australia "Valiants" but were rare, otherwise you got 225 slants, a 245 six and Hemi 265 six ( which was a flyer in the tripple carbed "Aussie Charger"). when the 273 went the 318 was introduced and v8 motoring became more available if you followed the Pentastar. Down here in this part of the world Aussies and Kiwis have always given this engine the respect it deserves and have managed to get them to perform too.

[@fargomonkey5133]

My first car, and to this day the best car I have ever owned was a 73 plymouth satellite, with a 318. It was a fabulous engine, both fast, and fuel economic, with zero issues ever. 100 percent reliable, easy to work on. Seriously, a truly great engine.

[@FreezinGoodTime]

Same as my first car. Always started and ran well.. even in extremely cold weather.

[@markfortin421]

Hey Tony! Back in the mid70's, had a '72 Duster with a shot 318/3 on the floor. Paid $300 and drove it home. Rebuilt the 318 with 360 heads off a Little Red Wagon (police motor?) And a purple shaft cam, headers, a 2500lb clutch, and rebuilt the carb to progressive linkage and re-jetted it. Here in Detroit, used to challenge and beat 455 Trans-Ams, and when they asked what motor I was running...I showed them a 2 barrel 318. God I miss that car!

[@jeffreyb6165]

Always likes the 318. Talk about endurance!

[@Smokr]

Ha. I'd forgotten I'd put a 340 cam in my 66 Satellite 318 semi. Thanks for reviving a long-forgotten memory of an afternoon spent in my friend Paul's garage when we were teens.

[@lilibethdoherty295]

I was always impressed how quickly the 318 revved it was instantaneous!

[@lilibethdoherty295]

I am lucky I had a 350 chevy, The race track our vette club had I would bang through the gears as fast as it would wind out if it was a 318 I would end up out of gears before I made it through the first long sweeping turn the club designed the track to embarrass any car with less than four hundred horsepower!

[@lilibethdoherty295]

Ford lost their mind as well, the nylon gear made it into the Cleveland motors and jumped timing . I would end up putting used 351 windsors into these customers cars and they were delighted with the low end and mid range torque!

[@1autoglasspro]

my 86 got a 225, just bought a 3.9 v6 in a 91....wish I was near you....very knowledgeable and personable...

[@mountainmangarage7572]

This man is an automotive genious trying to bring himself down on our level to explain things. lol Great video man Love your channel!

[@andrewquake4631]

I built a 318 using a 1967 complete motor. Bought it for $200. It dynoed when finished at 365 horses at 5400 rpm and 384 pounds of torque at 3500 rpm. Surprised many other Mopars, GM,, and Ford owners.

[@gersonhay984]

No way

[@andrewquake4631]

@@gersonhay984 Remember when Hot Rod magazine built their "Junkyard Jewel" issues on engines spending $1500.00 to get hot performance? They got 375hp and 378fpt out of a 1985 318 using factory heads, pistons, piston rods, crankshaft and cast iron intake, with headers.

[@alexwidenerracing5250]

318 is by far my favorite engine for that very reason, that they are underrated that is

[@jeffrey4547]

porting the heads all out will cost more then a after market head witch way better it cost me to take a set of 202 angle plug heads to 204 and match the intake and exhaust ports to mach the valve new size was 3800 at a mech. shop with all new valves but i had to do it because of the high rpms witch i can run it up to 15,000 rpms so i had to have cast on cast for the engine to last or they like too blow the head casket .but that is the cost for a real drag engine 1200 hp on pump gas no nitro stock body is the class i run .

[@jasonmcgowan3823]

What?

[@JW...-oj5iw]

@@jeffrey4547 ... 1: then is a poor substitute for than. 2: it takes a witch's magic to get witch out of which. 3: time to switch your tachometer from 4 cylinder setting to 8.

[@jeffrey4547]

@@JW...-oj5iw this shows how much u know about engines mine was built by old mam bell and he has been building race engine for a very long time . like bell said Indy guts with a dragster top end and he used the highest quality parts money could buy . over size sleeves and bell will back it to do 11000 all day long , did u know top fuel cars run about 17,000 rpms my engine came out of rick news dragster then we ended up with over 25,000 more in it . basically built like a methanol burner but for pump gas

[@BuzzLOLOL]

Over rate a 318: www.hotrod.com/articles/318-small-block-build

[@jeffreythompson7110]

I love my 285.00 ‘87 318. Been running strong for past 8 years in my ‘87 dodge Dakota with a 5 speed .👍

[@shabadoo24]

My dads favorite Dodge V8, he loved the 318 2 barrell. We had plow trucks with 318's..

[@shawnhicks6718]

I have a 74 charger se with the original 318 and 727 trans. Need to build the motor. I will be staying tuned to all of your videos and really enjoy learning more than I already know. Thank you.

[@320Racer]

When I was in high school I had a 1964 Dodge Cornet 440 with a "big/wide" 318 2 bbl - loved it. It was a tank and took a lot of a 16 year olds abuse.

[@donellmuniz590]

Yeah, I've had two 318 Poly cars, a 65 Coronet, and a 65 Belvedere. Both ran much stronger than any LA 318 I've ever had, even with 2 bl carbs.

[@craigcontofalsky4387]

My first car was a 1964 Dodge Polara! 318 poly head. Bucket seats and console! I was going to install a free 413 BB but my dad nixed that plan! Black with Red interior!

[@donellmuniz590]

@@craigcontofalsky4387 I know where a black 64 Polara with a red interior is sitting, in Bellingham, WA. It hasn't moved in 15 or 20 years. The owner says it has a swapped in 440 and 727. Also said he parked it cuz of trans problems. I'm betting he didnt hook up the kickdown right, and burned it up. Its rusty but he has a lotta spare parts. Wanted some stupid number like 4 grand for it a couple years ago. I coulda got it for a grand 20 years ago.

[@leesire]

Wow

[@flyman1185]

When I was in high school my buddies big brother had a 68 barracuda with the 318 two barrel. He put dual exhaust on it and that’s it. It was one of the fastest cars in town. Then of course he put a four barrel, cam and headers and it never ran well again. He got it from his grandmother, painted it maroon and put Crager SS wheels on it. It was a great machine. I’ll never forget it. Listening to uncle Tony makes me wanna cigarette. And I don’t smoke.

[@paulcabezola3559]

If Rodney Dangerfeid was an engine he'd be a 318. No respect. I've always had great luck with them.

[@MrTheHillfolk]

He's been popping up in my feed🤔

[@j_freed]

Caddyshack. Chevy Chase, Ted Knight, Bill Murray.... "hey Wang!"

[@byrdsdoityourselfgarage7330]

💪💪💪

[@byrdsdoityourselfgarage7330]

@@ericstone8812 😂😂😂

[@byrdsdoityourselfgarage7330]

@@j_freed this is my friend, wang... no offense

[@davidiverson]

Man I love this video. I'm blue printing a mean 318 LA for my '72 Dart Swinger. I thought about going with a bigger engine but watching this a while back made me want to see what a 318 could really do. Thanks for a great video Uncle Tony!

[@leehartung2549]

Next to the slant 6, the 318 was the best engine Chrysler corp ever made. I had one in a Dodge and one in a Plymouth. Both great cars.

[@RickSeling]

I had a stock 318 put 360 heads on it headers and a four-barrel and a cam it was badass

[@jessewait2931]

Had a friend with a hopped up 318 in a 72 swinger and it would pull the front tires on the street with old bias plie tires and air shocks... lol. Miss those days!

[@MrJohnnyDistortion]

Ya right.

[@EJohnDanton]

My dad had a 67 polara wagon with a 318. It towed a 20' travel trailer over the Rockies a few times and it was unstoppable. I think he ported the head, put in a freer flowing single exhaust and a more aggressive cam. It was torquey and we passed a LOT of cars up hills. I remember when a passing lane would come up we'd yell 'matt it dad!' :)

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

Why is it when you're broke, you always run into the good stuff?!? I was out earlier today and found a mid-late 70's Dodge Aspen. I've been looking for one for years and of course since I'm broke, one pops up. My mom had one when I was younger and I fell in love with it.

[@konaboss83]

Yeah I hear ya lost out on a 70 gto once went to the bank and got a loan which is what I told the seller got back to pick up the car and it was loaded on a trailer of someone who had cash in hand that frickin crushed me cuz it was that nice of a car and it was priced very right still bums me out all these years later but I woulda done the same thing I’ve held a car for a guy who had no intention or funds to actually buy it...cash walks

[@richardabernathy6242]

I had a bone stock 318 Dodge dart 1974. It ran with a 70 Chevelle 350, 4 barrel.

[@405wolf]

back in the 80s we would put an intake, 4bbl and duals on our A bodys, drag race and beat cars we didnt think we could beat.just those mods would really wake up those engines. personally i have always said the 318 was underrated. now your gonna see 318s price go up! just you wait.

[@raymondguzman5083]

Nooooo

[@craigbenz4835]

One of my favorite cars was from back then. A '73 Dart Sport with a 318. The only changes to the engine were a LD340 intake, Carter 625 AFB, a Crane version of the 340 cam, and open headers. Fun car.

[@BigHeinen]

Maybe Wolf...but the LS craze is still so strong I doubt this one video will make prices change much. But I could be wrong - I'm not arguing.

[@405wolf]

@@BigHeinen I could be wrong aswell. yes LS craze is fairly strong but people still want old school engines and sometimes all it takes is one thing and that one thing spreads. prime example mecum and barrett jackson. all it takes is two dickheads that pay way too much for a car and everyones prices go up. considering 340s are rediculous in price now and 360s are getting harder to find it only seems to reason 318s will go up in price. obviously its niche market for 318. i know your not arguing were having a simple discussion and difference of opinion. its a shame what this country/ world has come to that you and i cant have a discussion without fear of someone getting offended.

[@arthurwagar6224]

In 1980 or so I had Dodge vans with 318s and slant 6s. Both great engines. You bring back good memories. Thanks.

[@DependableAutoTruck]

years ago when i used 318 we would do 1.88 1.60 valves but we port matched instead of gasket match. the best running 318 i have ever seen was a 318 with a turned down 360 crank seems like it was about 340 cid had tons of torque and ran really good.

[@Zt3v3]

I'm not even into Mopar but I found this super interesting. I always enjoy learning from someones passion.

[@Miker1776]

Love your passion for, and your knowledge of, these engines! Great job.

[@richp5321]

I agree! Great motor. In high school 1985 I had 73 Charger SE with a 318. The only "upgrade" if you can call it that was headers and Hush Thrush mufflers. It had no problem lighting up my gigantic Pro-Trac 50's on the rear.

[@paulhooker8718]

Put almost 500000 miles on my old conversion van. Drove her coast to coast and almost everywhere in between. Worst that happened was the plastic timing gear at three hundred thousand. New chain set and the body fell apart still running.

[@richardthompson4460]

Cool. You've been digging into em!My first car was a 1974 Duster 318. Been doing things with them since i was 16. I'm 52 now. My Favorite little motor.

[@stevez7854]

One of the best motors of all time. I have demo derbies these engines in a lot of different chassis. Senn them run without water, seen them run with no oil in them, truly amazing motor

[@johnlemal4495]

Had a cousin that would tac it up 7-8000 all the time it finally blew.had over 100,000 miles on it.

[@toronadogofast7868]

Did the same thing. Would drop a 318 in the big body cars and hammer on it. We had a 273 that broke the cap off. It Was so hot it kept running and had power. The engine was so Carboned up it wouldn't shut off. HaD to run the fuel out.

[@grngs1]

Wow Tony you nailed it for sure! Im a small block Buick guy, and a closet Mopar guy. The heads for the 318 look like 350 Buick heads, tall ports, open chambers, towers for shaft rockers. The 350 Buick suffers from the same stigma as the 318 Mopar, " the bore is under 4" the valves are too small" Like you said about the 5.3 LS " Everybodys darling" I thought the same thing, The bore is under 4", the valves are small. BUT the LS heads ALSO have the tall skinny intake ports (like the Buick and Mopar) and shaft type rockers ( like Buick and Mopar) Lotsa similarities between Buick and Mopar tho, hell, they even have adapter plates to fit a BBM aftermarket intake on the BBB. I believe the only competition for a Buick on the strip is a Mopar, they're both underdogs, I like underdogs! I've had a few Mopar guys come over to me after a pass and inquire what Im running, we chat, and they give me advice and such, but we understand each other we "get it" were both considered underdogs.

[@lukewarren9593]

Great vid as always! I wish Tony was my uncle... I've had plenty of 318 jeeps and never had any reliability issues other than overheating (head gasket issues via aluminum heads obviously). So I've ben against the different metals of head vs block for years. But other than that 318 vs 360 stock in the jeeps I've driven, I don't see much of a difference, and love 'em both just the same.

[@lesskymobecauseyouneverask8862]

I took my 79 Cuda put a 1972 318 in it stock bore, 600 lift with a 289 duration cam, I used a 4 barrel Quadrojet, stock heads, aluminum duel plain manifold, headers, high speed oil pump, 410 posy traction rear end and a 4 speed and run in the low 14's awesome little street rod and O my gosh how I miss her, the 318 is an overlooked treasure.

[@peters8758]

To save a few more pennies the 318 got a nylon timing gear. The 340 got a steel gear with a double roller chain. The 340 timing parts fit a 318. Use them!

[@multishit6664]

This kinda info and people like yourself are needed on many levels of engine tinkering... cars bikes and everything..people who are finding out ways to improve..cool shit.

[@craigscherer563]

Many of them have already had them replaced due to failure. My 73 318 received a double roller at 80K miles. The nylon tanked. I do not think it was a cheaper option so much as a marketing ploy of a quieter engine. The replacement double roller was cheaper at the parts counter than the nylon OEM. It was a no brainer.

[@drtb69]

Quieter engine with that nylon gear.

[@mikemurphy7277]

Peter s you motor head you

[@peters8758]

@@drtb69 Real quiet after it breaks

[@xipingpooh5783]

In 1983 my dad and I built a 1972 318 and sent the stock heads to Bob Mullin in California. He ported the intake and exhaust ports, 3 angle valve job, heavy duty springs and told us to run a stock 340 intake. He also said run 9.5 to 1 pistons in it with a Dirsct Connection Hemi Grind cam. Well we ran that set up at Englishtown and did consistent runs between 13.9 and 14.3 depending on track conditions 👍🏼

[@steveadams5190]

I absolutely LOVE the old 318's. I've also had a few of the 340's. I wish now that I never got rid of any of them. The old 318's especially. Now it's next to impossible to find one. WHERE CAN I FIND A 318??? You say their still a dime a dozen, but I can't find even ONE!

[@NilesJStJohn]

Thank you Uncle Tony for showing her w much potential is waiting ina 318 . Truly the little motor that could n would !! I have built many of them n now doing a 86 roller block 318/390 stroker with all forged internals n Bullet roller cam . Will be a revving beast !!

[@steven-gw9sf]

I’ve heard of guys spinning 318s past 7 grand, truly a great engine

[@dasman8117]

We love head too, I mean heads🦢😉

[@johndrippert3289]

My first car was a hand me down 1965 Plymouth Fury III 4dr with a 318 that came from my grandfather's garage. It had been sitting in there for a couple years. I did not baby that thing at all. I mean, hello! I was 17. Before it even got a oil change I had it out on 45 South between Houston and Galveston. My buddies and I got passed by a nice Firebird moving at a nice clip. We pulled up even with him at 120mph. The double take he did was priceless. He waved at us, got off the freeway and we slowed back down. There was a cop over the next hill. I was sooooo lucky. That engine was bulletproof. Worst thing I did on it was rebuild the carb. That was only bad because I had never done it before. Was a great car to load up the huge trunk with a big cooler and a few teenagers to sneak them into the drive-in on dollar nights.

[@garymckee8857]

I had 318's that ran very well and had some that wouldn't fall out of a tree 🌳 if you cut the limb. But all took punishment. I would like to see a poly 318 built.

[@nealgunderson7799]

I have a 318 in my 71 Challenger. I have warmed it up a little bit in the past, but over this winter I plan to do a little bit more radical. Everybody has told me to trash the 38, but I like it and will stay with it.

[@davidrosales3663]

Hell yeah!!!!! That's my Uncle Tony!!!!!! Hot rod that's what it's all about. Going to the junkyard coming out with a race car. And watch everybody laugh and then you make them all cry!!!!!!

[@roadrunner1580]

thankyou for the great video!! its funny you mention this engine as underated! i couldnt agree more!! i bought my first E body with a 318! i was going to rip the 318 out and put in a 360 but i was pleasantly suprised how strong this engine runs espically with a 4 spd behind it, i love my 318!! its staying in my 73 challenger !! cheers

[@byrdsdoityourselfgarage7330]

I've got a 318 in my 71 challenger. Great motor

[@byrdsdoityourselfgarage7330]

@@jontrudell7529 nope. Original to the car :)

[@DR440]

Did yours have the 8.75 rear or the 7.25 rear? My '70 318 Challenger has the 7.25 rear. Probably swapping in a C body 8.75 because it is a bolt in...

[@byrdsdoityourselfgarage7330]

@@DR440 8.75. 3:55 gears I think

[@Enchanted3DPrints]

I loved my 318 dodge diplomat. It was a real runner and the diplomat interior. crushed red velvet. so comfy. the rear main went in spectacular fashion around 100k. From then on it dripped a quart of oil every 75 miles or less. I was too young to know how to fix it and pretty much gave it away. Im now a GM convert but still have a special place in my heart for that old 318.