Posted by Dave Jensen on December 14, 1998 at 08:20:09:
In Reply to: 318 truck motor posted by matt on December 13, 1998 at 10:24:21:
When I rebuilt the 68 (small block from a D100 w/4spd) 318 that I put in my M-37, the machinist said the crank was machined steel. He said Dodge made three types of 318 cranks for the late 60s: cast car, cast truck, and machined steel truck cranks. He didn't know how to tell by serial number which engine would have which crank. The machined steel cranks seem to have more sharp material on the "outside" surface. It looks a lot more ragged than the smooth casted surfaces on the cast cranks. I also understand that in the mid '70s Dodge used different types of timing chain parts, supposedly with a truck you got steel gears/chain, but a car engine might have nylon parts which would turn smoother, but wear out faster. Personally, I think the early '60s wide block engines (polys?) were real truck engines and the later small blocks are for little girls (sorry, bad joke). But I agree the late '60s to mid '70s small block 318 would be easier to swap in. The wide blocks (scalloped valve covers) are tougher engines, but they are wider. The one thing I don't like about them is the rocker arm supports are cast into the head, and with solid lifters the tappet adjusting parts are self locking, and often they are worn so you have to use locktight on them. Someone else will know for sure, but a wide block might fit in a PW better than an M-37 since the engine sits centered. Good luck. DJ