Change 318 for 273?

[Gus]

Just looking at options.....

Thinking of maybe trying to find a correct vintage 318 to gather parts for, and rebuild at leisure, and then drop into my 273 Valiant VE.....which has some work needed on the engine. Would of course keep the original unit in the garage.

Anyone know of tired 318 that needs a good home?

From everything I've read, it seems to be a fairly straight swap....but anyone heard of any major drawbacks?

Gus

ps...my last post seems to have disappeared...

[Blue]

It's a straight bolt in swap, the only downside is prices for 318's seem to have suddenly gone stupid. Up until recently they were a few hundred quid if you could actually find someone that wanted it. I saw a running one up for sale for £1750 last week and people are buying at that kind of money now....

[Gus]

Thanks Blue.....

Ouch! £1750 is a bit steep.......
If that is a going rate.....then I am going to stick to rebuilding the 273....

Was just trying to get a little extra torque, without burning a lot more fuel!

Gus

[Blue]

Prices are all over the place these days, with a bit of digging and patience you might be able to find something around the £500 mark if your lucky.

[Dave81]

Putting it into context. At those prices plus the bolt on parts and tweeking youd normally do when its out the car, id pay more and put a built 408 in.

1 to 1.5k used to be the going rate for a good 360.

[Gus]

Thanks Dave....but I try and take the old girl on some occasional lengthy runs across the channel.......and on my last long trip it averaged just under 18mpg.

A tweaked 360/408 would be brilliant....but I couldn't live with @10?mpg

Gus