1970 CHRYSLER 318 V8 ENGINE - LONG or SHORT Block

shanachie2002 · Post by **shanachie2002** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 5:53 pm

How can you tell whether an engine is a long or short block?

Neil Wilson

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 5:58 pm

Do you mean big block and small block? A small block Chrysler, such as the 318, 360 will have the distributor in the rear of the engine.

A big block such as a 440, will have the distributor in the front.

shanachie2002 · Post by **shanachie2002** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:02 pm

Since my Chrysler 318 has the distributor located at the rear of the engine, I guess I have a short (small) block engine. Thanks for your help.

Neil Wilson

raymond workman · Post by **raymond workman** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 12:13 am

The term short block means block only no heads on motor and when they say long block the mean a motor with heads on it thats shop talk and now a smale block is smaller than a big block and puts out less horse power And big block is bigger and puts out more horse power now if they ask you if you want to buy a 318 short block that means it has no heads block only with crank,rods,pistons and thats it hope this is helpfull.

shanachie2002 · Post by **shanachie2002** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:43 am

Thanks to all concerned for their input on this subject.

Neil Wilson

shanachie2002 · Post by **shanachie2002** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:03 am

Thanks to all concerned for their input on this subject.

Neil Wilson

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 7:35 pm

a 318 is a small block not short or long so to speak Raymond post covers it well . now I will add to this there are 2 318 engines old and new type I put this info in a forum a few weeks ago I will copy and paste it below I have seen the old style used as late as 1970 ( possable Later )

they made 2 different 318s the first one was made in the late 50s to the mid 60s then when to the new style 318
I think the marine engines changed in 1967-70 or so .

did a liltle checking A engine 318 1957-67 ( old type)
LA engine 318 1967-2001 new type
these were the years the engines were made. may have use the left over A engine for later year marine engines .
the easiest way to tell is by the heads"
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prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 7:38 pm

if you post ( or email) a photo of the engines I can tell you what you have .

shanachie2002 · Post by **shanachie2002** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 4:41 pm

The Chrysler engine numbers are LM318 BWL 10-380 E054781 and
LM318 BWR 10-E056029.
While I have photos of the engines, it's not possible upload them to this site.

Neil Wilson

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 6:23 pm

by the number ( LM ) I would think its the newer type but by the photos
I will know

Paul