360 short block question

[mrm82]

I recently purchased a 5.9l magnum block with all the machine work done, and a LA series 360 crank/rods and pistons. Does anyone recommend a good book or link for installing and balancing the lower assembly or see any problems with this set up? Thanks

[73restomod]

Well the blocks at essentially the same, and the LA rotating assembly will work, but LA and magnum 360 blocks used different timing covers, oil pans, and harmonic balancers. Also remember you cannot use LA style heads on a magnum block because there's no oiling hole drilled for the rockers. I'm not sure if they used the same torque converter balance weights or not.

[Bullitt-]

this may help ya  http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/hrdp-9809-magnum-and-non-magnum-parts-exchange/


This book may be a good resource
https://books.google.com/books?id=CqpByBMHBbsC&pg=PA18&lpg=PA18&dq=la+crank+magnum+block&source=bl&ots=0st8KGGa3q&sig=sNuMA7tvLf5xaWpBHOMBoKSJ0Zc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=MZ2qVJhIwaaDBLKdhIAN&ved=0CEQQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=la%20crank%20magnum%20block&f=false

[HP2]

How to rebuild small block mopars is a good basic book for putting things together.

For balancing, that is going to be a machine shop job. If you have a fixture and gram weight scale, you could equalize the pistons and the big/small end of the rods to arrive at a bob weight calculation, but the crank balancing is pure machine shop work and will require the harmonic balancer and torque convertor/flywheel-clutch to arrive at final balance.

[go-fish]

This one!

http://www.amazon.com/Build-Big-Inch-Mopar-Small-Blocks/dp/193249457X

[Rolling_Thunder]

Well the blocks at essentially the same, and the LA rotating assembly will work, but LA and magnum 360 blocks used different timing covers, oil pans, and harmonic balancers. Also remember you cannot use LA style heads on a magnum block because there's no oiling hole drilled for the rockers. I'm not sure if they used the same torque converter balance weights or not.

not sure if it was covered yet -  the Magnum engines are weighted differently than the old LA style 360s....    ran into that when I swapped a crate Magnum engine into my 68 Charger years ago

[jimynick]

You CAN run LA heads on a magnum block by using AMC lifters that oil like a chev through the push rod. MP used to sell it all and lifters and push rods will do the trick if you really want to do it. Good luck