360 engine, pros vs cons?

[larry060748]

Sent: 11/10/2003 8:53 PM

I just became the owner of a 1979 26' bunk house brave with a dodge 360 engine on the 400 chassis. I have notice alot of discussions about the 440 engine but very very few on the 360?  Is there any advances or disadvances to having this engine.

[denisondc]

Sent: 11/18/2003 7:37 PM

I dont know about the later models, mine being a 72. Perhaps the 360 is what they were using as an upgrade to the 318. I think it possible the 440 was the optional engine for the M400 in 79, the 360 the standard engine. But how do you know it is a 360? And is the distributor at the rear of the engine? denison 

[mightybooboo]

Sent: 11/18/2003 10:17 PM

Whu dont you give us your serial numbers from your registration?That would establish the engine in your Winnie.
BooBoo

[larry060748]

Sent: 11/18/2003 10:23 PM

The orginal owner told me it was a 360-3 engine. Also when I went to get  new value pan gaskets the old ones matched the 360  engine. I have the orginal owners manual and the 360 was the standard engine in 1979 with the 440 as the upgrade engine.. Yes the dist. is at the back of the engine. 

[mightybooboo]

Sent: 11/18/2003 10:33 PM

If it is a 360-3 the 5th digit on your VIN numbers is a K
BooBoo

[Sea Hag]

Sent: 11/19/2003 9:57 AM

I checked my 76 MH chss. manual and was suprised to see the 360-3 was standard on M400 Chassis and 440 3 opt.  My owners manual lists 440 3 as standard for 76 chieftain models . the 360 3 was a replacement for the 318 3  sometime after 1973   as they did  with the 413 3  to 440 3  during  late 1972 or early 1973 .  you probably get better MPG than the 440 3  I don't know how much . they used it for a long time and is probably eaiser to get parts for than the 318 ,and if your not towing any thing large it should have enough power for your needs .  --- Sea Hag 

[larry060748]

Sent: 11/19/2003 9:16 PM

Thanks everyone. I will be able to tell how the 360 does, hopeful soon as I'm hoping to get to go take the brave out on a short trip over Thanksgiving. Be putting new carpet in last of week. Yes the fifth veh # is a K.

[Sea Hag]

Sent: 11/21/2003 1:14 PM

  It seems 76 may be the first year they used the 360 as parts manual still lists 318 in 74-75 . there doesn't seem to be much about them on the boards . they do have a solid reputation especially in dodges extended Vans --- Sea Hag 

[bluebird]

I will say the 360 has a lot more guts than the 318 I replaced. I also had a 78 Minni Winney  back in the mid 80s that I rebuilt the 360 in. Try to run as much timing as you can to keep from warping the exhaust manifolds. I was in a camp ground out in Penn. and a fellow came in that evening with a very loud Winny about like mine. He had pushed his coach so hard he had melted the left hand manifold. He had one heck of a mess, and was very lucky to make it in that night.

[Mytdawg]

It's likely that I have the 360 also and I had massively warped exhaust manifolds also.  My mechanic replaced one but the other got backordered and she had to go into storage before he could finish.

So you're saying that the timing needs to be advanced if possible to avoid manifold warpage?  My understanding of timing is that too far advanced creates pre-ignition (knocking) and that can cause problems.  I know you can run on a lower octane with the timing retarded but had no knowledge that it could also cause heat related problems.

Thanks on any clarification you can provide.  I still have to replace the right manifold and I'd just as well get this sorted out before we put any distance on her.  If I ever get that far...

[bluebird]

Not telling anybody to advance the timing, just saying that you need to pay close attention to the tune up. Too much fuel can cause excessive heat in the exhaust manifold too, along with retarded timing.