bad 1958 318", my options are???
jerrybev
Posted 2019-10-07 4:13 PM (#588519)
Subject: bad 1958 318", my options are???


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hi
I have a 1958 318" In a 1956 Plymouth station wagon. Engine is now out but needs complete rebuild. Anyone know of one rebuilt? If I buy one rebuilt, I risk getting a rebuild that is incorrect or not high quality. Other engine choices? How much newer in engine can I go and not destroy the value of the car? Suggestion, recommendations, appreciated.
thank you for your time.
Jerry Whitfield
Winston salem, N. Carolina



(1956 plymouth xxxsmall xxx small.jpg)



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71charger_fan
Posted 2019-10-07 9:33 PM (#588541 - in reply to #588519)
Subject: Re: bad 1958 318", my options are???


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I don't know if the bellhousing bolt pattern is the same, but if it is, I would pick up a running LA engine and put that in.
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geoffs60
Posted 2019-10-08 1:19 AM (#588548 - in reply to #588541)
Subject: Re: bad 1958 318", my options are???


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The LA SB whilst the bell hsg can fit, the crank is wrong , LA 6 bolt short against the 58 8 bolt long. Any 1961 and earlier 318 will fit.
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Mopar1
Posted 2019-10-08 6:53 AM (#588557 - in reply to #588519)
Subject: Re: bad 1958 318", my options are???



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Bell pattern & crank flange is the same up to '61. Torque converter is stud type. Starting in '62 there's a different bell, the flange length changes & it's a 6 bolt vs 8 bolt. The T/C uses a flex plate that bolts to the flange. Cheapest would be to drop in a running engine & trany from a newer car.
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Powerflite
Posted 2019-10-08 11:47 AM (#588568 - in reply to #588519)
Subject: Re: bad 1958 318", my options are???



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You could easily put a 325 Dodge poly or hemi motor in there. Some '56 Plymouths came with the 270 Dodge so it wouldn't look out of place. Putting in an LA motor will definitely hurt it's value and will be a lot more work with conversions, so why do it? These '50's V8 motors run better than an LA if you update the components in them like the cam & use decent compression.
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Mopar1
Posted 2019-10-09 10:12 PM (#588644 - in reply to #588519)
Subject: Re: bad 1958 318", my options are???



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Any Hemi, Hemi based Poly, and A Polys up to '61 will bolt right to the tranny. Engine mounts may be a different story.
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Powerflite
Posted 2019-10-10 1:46 AM (#588648 - in reply to #588519)
Subject: Re: bad 1958 318", my options are???



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Because the '56 Plymouth mounts are flat tabs on the crossmember, it is pretty easy to mount any motor with different widths, or in offset positions.
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wayfarer
Posted 2019-10-12 6:05 PM (#588749 - in reply to #588519)
Subject: RE: bad 1958 318", my options are???



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jerrybev - 2019-10-07 1:13 PM

hi
I have a 1958 318" In a 1956 Plymouth station wagon. Engine is now out but needs complete rebuild. Anyone know of one rebuilt? If I buy one rebuilt, I risk getting a rebuild that is incorrect or not high quality. Other engine choices? How much newer in engine can I go and not destroy the value of the car? Suggestion, recommendations, appreciated.
thank you for your time.
Jerry Whitfield
Winston salem, N. Carolina


Jerry, as George mentioned, you have a few engine choices if you don't want to rebuild your 318. No doubt the choice is driven by dollars and some of the early engines can be expensive in core form but not always. I have a few engines for sale and would be happy to help if your path leads away from rebuilding your 318.
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Powerflite
Posted 2019-10-12 8:02 PM (#588755 - in reply to #588519)
Subject: Re: bad 1958 318", my options are???



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I also have a 325 Dodge for sale in either poly or hemi form. The hemi version isn't cheap though, but the complete 325 poly (minus exhaust manifolds) is $300.
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wayfarer
Posted 2019-10-18 12:36 PM (#588973 - in reply to #588519)
Subject: Re: bad 1958 318", my options are???



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Powerflite has one helleva good deal there.....
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