what motor to use?

[juddoats]

I bought a 71 about a year ago and finally got the body off and am working on it and about to put new front suspension on...wondering what motor i should go with...i am not going to race or anything but i want the power to be there when i want to step on it...easy maintence....dont want the cheapest way out but dont wanna spend the most either...you guys that have already done this please help.
thanks
Judd

[Hobcobble]

If it were mine, I'd stick an LA [or A] 318 in it.
John

[nfury8]

You can never miss with an LA engine!

I am also starting to be Magnum fan also!

[juddoats]

help me out here....i am ignorant when it comes to all this...what is the LA......and what about the magnum? i do know that i do not wanna go big block

[OregonDodgeboy]

You already know you don't want to go with a big block, and a slant six is likely out of the question, so it's kind-of a no brainer really. The A series 318 is the Polysphere, available up until 1966. I'm not well schooled on them, but good motors none the less. The LA-318 is the 67 and up 318. Used for many years and easily found, a very reliable and good performing motor. A good 318 will last a lifetime and do everything you ever ask of it. Lots of hop-up parts available for it, but I'm sure that most would agree that it's the best bang for the buck for a multi-purpose truck. If you get a later model one with the Magnum EFI on it, you can probably squeeze a few more MPGs out of your truck. Though it adds some wiring to the equation, it will start and run like the new cars do, so it can be worth the effort.

[juddoats]

i have talked with a local Mopar guy here that has a swepty he is all about the 360....thoughts?

[MountainMoparRobin]

the 360 has a huge aftermarket production, so you can buy lots of parts and build it without having to do alot of hunting.

[juddoats]

cheaper to buy a crate motor or have someone rebuild me one?? i am not a mechanic

[Rodger]

Judd

Which engine and which transmission originally came with the truck ??? This question relates to what choices you have if you are preferring to do as most and keep it stock appearing and etc.

The LA-318 is an very good answer if you had an V8. Sometimes one of these can be found for free to $150 . If the original engine was the 225 cubed Slant six, the cost is the same to get an engine.

Your Local NAPA can re-built a engine for about $1,200 to $1,500's. Call them for details and the warrenty.

Rodger & Gabby
COS

[juddoats]

it originally had the slant 6 in it..i dont want the cheapest motor out there or the hottest...but i wanna have enough horses in it...

[MountainMoparRobin]

What engine it came with should not stop you from doing what you want, maybe 40% of people want to keep them stock, their old trucks by all means have fun with it, the best part is you can do anything, I can't regret putting a 440 in mine, stock is all fine and good but I prefer something you can go out and hit a winding road and give it hell, and its gonna stick, or have fun with the other brands at the stop lights. A crate motor is all fine and good also if you have the deep pocket for it, and as Roger mentioned their are other options, NAPA, Advance Auto, O'Reilly, Checkers, and just about any other parts store is going to have access to getting you a long block or short block.
1. figure out what your desire is?

[mopardwh]

Cheapest bang for buck would be a used 360. You should be able to find a good one really cheap, you could even find a magnum 360 also (1994+). As OregonDodgeboy explained about the magnum 318, the same applies to the 360. Both the 318 and 360 are great engines, and either would be perfect for what your looking for. But the 360 just comes with a few more ponies and potential.

[shdnobetter]

Cheapest bang for buck would be a used 360. You should be able to find a good one really cheap, you could even find a magnum 360 also (1994+). As OregonDodgeboy explained about the magnum 318, the same applies to the 360. Both the 318 and 360 are great engines, and either would be perfect for what your looking for. But the 360 just comes with a few more ponies and potential.

Echo

[Rodger]

Hola Judd

If you are planning on keeping and using that super tough "Load-Flite"
version of the A-727 Transmission that came with the Slant Six, then
forget about the V8's. The location of the starter motor of the
Transmission for the Slant Six is at an differant location of the LA
"any thing's" .

If you want to keep the present transmission, then you have no choice
but to learn how to enhance the exhaust to "Super Six" spec's. To
make some "free"/more power. And to use the Slant Six spec'd Cooling
Fan from an A/C version with the Silicone Clutch Unit.

If the "Slant Six the was used in every Dodge Truck made does not
have enough power, then purchase the V8 and a V8 A-727 Torque-Flite.
the Torque-Convertor from the Slant Six can be used on the LA-273 or
the LA-318. The LA-360's are balanced differant and the Torque-Convertor
from the other engines will permit it to bounce at all RPM's.

Rodger & Gabby
COS

[PlgPwr]

Horse Power is over rated! short duration and open 'em up! I can Idle up a tree, the guys who say the LA318 are right. The 360 will breath and give you potentail HP's but what I do with my truck requieres torque...and the 318 is bullet proof. I've had people that know tell me that the 318 I dropped in my truck is the smoothest push rod motor they've ever heard. I'm real happy of the choice I made!!! PULLING POWER!!!!

[nfury8]

As mentioned, the aftermarket is all about the 360.
Until the new Hemi, the 360 crate was Mopars bread and butter.
They can make power, but they will never make economy.

The Magnums can be ran with a carb (crate 360's are bastard Magnums).
The Magnums have modern, roller lifters, better flowing, higher compression
heads and a few other tweaks. The previous LA engines are excellent engines,
the Magnum is a modernization and improvement on an old standby.
It also has the option of adding dirt cheap fuel injection with junk yard parts!