Thread: 318- la or magnum?

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I'm in a bit of a bind here. I have a 1987 318 block. I also can get my hands on a 1994 318 magnum. I want to use the newer magnum block because it only has 140k on it. But I'm not sure whether to use my ported 302's w/ 1.88 1.60's w/ 61cc chambers. or port the magnum heads.. only problem is I'm running a solid cam 270s and magnum rockers oil through the pushrod. What would any suggest? I'm looking for around 400hp

Originally Posted by Mini

I'm in a bit of a bind here. I have a 1987 318 block. I also can get my hands on a 1994 318 magnum. I want to use the newer magnum block because it only has 140k on it. But I'm not sure whether to use my ported 302's w/ 1.88 1.60's w/ 61cc chambers. or port the magnum heads.. only problem is I'm running a solid cam 270s and magnum rockers oil through the pushrod. What would any suggest? I'm looking for around 400hp

kinda answered your own question here.

magnum rockers/trunion style oil through the pushrods, so there is no oil galley going to the heads on a magnum block.

302 heads take the better shaft mount rockers and require oil feed from the block, [ again magnum blocks don't have this provision].

you could run hard line off each lifter galley and shallow drill the deck enough just to reach the tapped hard line.

There was an early run of roller cam LA blocks 84 up 318, and 89-91 360's.
I might be off a year on the 360LA roller motors, but I do have a date coded 84' roller 318 in the shop right now.

Also...the thing about the magnum having a roller is better, but not if it's a stock roller.

so you have 2-3 things outweighing the magnum.
1. you already have a flat tappet performance cam.
2. you have ported LA heads.
3. LA shaft mount rockers are a better set up for stability in higher rpms than stud/trunion style magnum rockers.

Those 3 do not however rule out a early LA roller block...