I got ahold of a running 318 to swap into my duster today, it's from an 84 dippy and was a security guard car at Great America. The car was wrecked and the engine saved, I called about it and the guy said it has a four barrel, so it has to be a service vehicle. I researched and learned about the 360 heads on them and the poor compression, but also found an article by Hot Rod in 2003 called junkyard jewel where they made 400 hp with a 318 cop engine! I don't know what's gonna happen but I have some good parts to switch into and onto it, so we're gonna find out! I never did find the source of the oil pressure issue in my 1970 block so I am yanking it out... I'm really glad I found the problem before I put all my good parts in it. I don't know if it is a bearing spun or something simple like a cracked or clogged pickup, but I don't want to chance putting it under big stress and failing, especially with a grand in new parts in and on it! The chances are high that there is real damage inside that one, cause the former owner had 8 quarts of oil in it, was driving it from San Jose to Dublin daily for months, he said. If the bearings are spun that would cause the issue. It has 25 psi when i start it, but fades to zero within a few minutes. So, out with it! I'll pick up the other 318 tomorrow and open it up.. hopefully will have been well maintained, and good to go for a few fun things!
