360 magnum vs 360 LA

[sprecks]

I've got a line on a real cheap 360 Magnum engine short block built by Jasper. I really don't need this piece but since the price is right I was thinking about getting it. I've never messed with a Magnum engine and was wondering if you guys could shed some light on the differences between this motor and an LA engine. Would I have to use Magnum heads or will LA heads work? Is the bell housing bolt up the same?
Maybe this is more hassle than it is worth?

[Chryco Psycho]

the Magnum is basically a Chevy
 the oiling changed , no rocker shafts , they use ball stud type like chev so the strength is less & the rocker arm travel is limited by the slot in the arm unlike shaft type , the oil is fed up the pushrod from the lifters like a chev so you cannot use LA heads as there is no way to feed the rocker shafts oil.  The magnum heads can be used on an LA block using AMC lifters & hollow pushrods . The intake is different as well , the La has angled bolts into the heads , the Magnum has vertical bolts so you cannot use an LA intake on a Magnum head .
 Bolt pattern is the same for both but the balancing is different for a 360 Magnum as well .

[sprecks]

the Magnum is basically a Chevy
 the oiling changed , no rocker shafts , they use ball stud type like chev so the strength is less & the rocker arm travel is limited by the slot in the arm unlike shaft type , the oil is fed up the pushrod from the lifters like a chev so you cannot use LA heads as there is no way to feed the rocker shafts oil.  The magnum heads can be used on an LA block using AMC lifters & hollow pushrods . The intake is different as well , the La has angled bolts into the heads , the Magnum has vertical bolts so you cannot use an LA intake on a Magnum head .
 Bolt pattern is the same for both but the balancing is different for a 360 Magnum as well .

I think I'll pass on the deal. Doesn't sound like it is worth messing with. Thanks for the input CP, Appreciate it!!!

[Chryco Psycho]

 

[74challenger03]

Neil thank you for todays lesson. 

[Chryco Psycho]

Sure , not sure why they switched to a poorer Gm style rocker but they did , I cannot see any engineering or budget upside in doing this the whole stud type rocker is less stable which is why Chev uses stud girdles , even the cost should be higher doing it this way , never figured it out , now they just have the Hemi V8s