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Tech Question
Joe Coates, Valparaiso, IN, 1963 Chrysler Newport 361
This is my first Mopar and has only 45,000 miles and has been in a garage for 30 years. All the gaskets are dried out and the engine leaks. Other than that, it runs like a top. Since I have to take it down to do the gaskets, are there performance parts avalible for the 361? Nothing crazy, maybe cam, head porting and a good carb. Just some advice for a newbie.
Joe-
The possibilites are endless. First suggestion I'd make would be a pair of later (mid-'70's) big-block cylinder heads. These will flow way more (basicaly, 'pre-ported!'), and have hardened exhaust seats for unleaded gas. They will drop the compression a bit - that's the downside. But...you'll never need premium fuel, and you'll STILL make for power.
Any stock 4-Bbl intake and carb, from any or 400, would be fine up top.
The cam choices are also limitless. But with the low compression and smallish displacment, don't go crazy. Something like a stock 383/440 Magnum cam (late '60's) would be a good starting point.
Then you need to take out the trash. Either small headers (see Schumacher Tri-Ys or Hedman shorties) or later hi-po exhaust manifolds, would do the trick, from there back a nice set of 2.5" pipes.
With the above done correctly, you'd be adding an easy 75 HP with almost no reduction in driveability.
Welcome to Mopar Action!
Rick
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