Sean, IMO 650 is a bunch for a 361, especially if you have a good running Poly. If you plan to go to a big block, then wait until you can find a 440. Nothing beats cubic inches. I have both Poly and LA small blocks in relatively stock forms. Just carb and header updates. The Poly will pull the doors off the LA. With limited funds, I like Gary's idea of upgrading your Poly. When you get into a motor swap, you always wind up spending way more money than you thought. Earl Sean, I would stick with a "sweet running Poly" because it is running well, finances are modest, it is a daily driver, and you will spend more money and time with any other engine than your circumstances should tolerate. My advice is leave well enough alone, enjoy your family (use your discretionary income for your family) and exercise patience till time & increased finances permit building a more powerful "hobby car." Family is a first priority. Gary Pavlovich ----- Original Message ----- From: "sean dietz" <dietz_diggler@xxxxxxxxx> To: <1962to1965mopars@xxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2007 8:01 PM Subject: tell me about the 361 please > > I have a sweet running poly 318 in my daily driver dodge, 64 4 door. > I've put near 7000 miles since january. i would like more power and have > spent a bit on poly parts that i have yet to install, now someone is > offering me a rebuilt 361 for $650, and i have a trans for the engine. > i'm thinking i could off set the cost w/ selling the poly stuff,(we dont > have much money) but everyone seems to chunk the 361's also. what i need > to know is who out there has experience w/ these engines, how do they > respond to performance upgrades? how is fuel milage? i'm wanting to go > middle of the road w/ my car, i want more performance and can sacrafice > some milage, but i dont want an overcammed 440 w/ 4.11 gears! i drive it > to work, the park w/ the family, to the store for milk etc. one friend > told me to just get an LA 360 and be done w/ it. truly though i am > wanting to here from people that have not only owned, but driven and > upgraded these engine as well as the other more commonly run mopes out > there, for comparison. thank you all in advance and w/ consideration and > weighing of everyones advice, my family will make our decision. > > > ---- > Please address private mail -- mail of interest to only one person -- > directly to that person. I.e., send parts/car transactions and > negotiations as well as other personal messages only to the intended > recipient, not to the Clubhouse public address. This practice will protect > your privacy, reduce the total volume of mail and fine tune the content > signal to Mopar topic. Thanks! > > '62 to '65 Mopar Clubhouse Discussion Guidelines: > http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/mletiq.html. > > ---- Please address private mail -- mail of interest to only one person -- directly to that person. I.e., send parts/car transactions and negotiations as well as other personal messages only to the intended recipient, not to the Clubhouse public address. This practice will protect your privacy, reduce the total volume of mail and fine tune the content signal to Mopar topic. Thanks! '62 to '65 Mopar Clubhouse Discussion Guidelines: http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/mletiq.html. ---- Please address private mail -- mail of interest to only one person -- directly to that person. I.e., send parts/car transactions and negotiations as well as other personal messages only to the intended recipient, not to the Clubhouse public address. This practice will protect your privacy, reduce the total volume of mail and fine tune the content signal to Mopar topic. Thanks! '62 to '65 Mopar Clubhouse Discussion Guidelines: http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/mletiq.html.