Probably the intake manifold gaskets are bad, a very common small block
problem. My 77 had major problems with it, until I used the right
gaskets, and some insanely bad smelling glue on them.

I had 3 360 powered vehicles, a 74 Roadrunner, the 77 PWagon, and an 86
Ramcharger, and all had to have the gaskets changed at least once. I
only had the ramcharger a short time before I sold it, but the other
ones were bought new and I had them both for over 3 years.

BDK

bassfishin911 wrote:

I agree with some of the other replies -- he could very-well be sucking
crankcase oil fumes into the intake ports.  I suggest that after verifying
the compression is good, he start by checking the fit of the manifold to the
heads.  If it's a b*itch to get the manifold sit low-enough to get the bolts
in, you're likely sucking crankcase oil and the manifold should be shaved to
fit (or the gaskets are too thick).  If the bolt holes in the manifold
line-up on-center with the threaded holes in the heads (with gaskets in
place and allowing for a small amount of gasket compression), he's fine as
far as fit goes.

The other concern are the gaskets themselves.  While the OEM cast iron
intake manifold will work with the teflon gaskets (FelPro PermaTorque, etc),
aluminum intake manifolds have a tendency to warp when those types of
gaskets are used.  My automotive machinist clued me in about that when my
racecar's 340 (Holley Strip Dominator manifold) wouldn't return to idle as
quick as it should.  He suggested I use paper gaskets.  I dunno if they're
still made but, my machinist suggests "'75 360 gaskets made by Victor" or if
the manifold fits loose, gaskets made by Mr. Gasket (they're thicker).  With
the paper gaskets, use *a little* sealer (Permatex "Aviation Form-a-gasket",
"High-Tack", etc) around the ports.  Be sure to not overtorque the bolts
(you'll have to guess at the middle bolts).  On the other hand, my other
340's OEM cast iron intake manifold is so rigid, I can use whatever gasket I
throw at it.

The end seals (under the front and rear of the manifold) in the gasket kits
are either soft foam (which weep after time) or cork/rubber, which are a
b*itch to compress.  Chrysler used roll pins to locate these end seals in
place.  My machinist discards the roll pins & end seals, and lays down a
suitable bead of RTV silicone rubber (after cleaning *all* oil from the
gasket and engine block surfaces).  Never a leak, and the manifold is easy
to get to sit down onto the intake gaskets.

Your friend's carb might be a /tad/ on the large side, but still should be
ok.  A smaller carb would have somewhat better off-idle throttle response
(due to the smaller venturis) at the sacrifice of a little top-end power.  I
believe that the ideal size carb for a bone-stock hp or slightly warmed
340/360hp would be 600-650 cfm, so you're likely not tooo much over that
number.

I can't help you with the 4x4 stuff... no savvy there!

Bryan
'68 Barracuda 340-S bracket racer
'69 Barracuda 340-S convertible

The problem could be intake manifold. If the heads were machined excessive
during the rebuild , It will have a hard time sealing. As to 360 id look
on the block by the starter. Another way is the thickness of vibration
dampner  the 318/340 is  1"  the 360 is about 1 3/8"  The 340 was dropped
from production in 72-73. 360's were notirous for low compression.  Any HP
cam
will cause a lower cranking compression 160 psi is in the ideal range.
Pratical it is probably
130 psi. I built a custom 360 street motor years age  had machine shop cut
.050 off the BLOCK for 0 deck height & .040 off the heads & it did require
a custom fitted intake manifold

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On Sep 18, 9:46 pm, bassfishin...@msn.com wrote:

Well, I could be WAY off base here, but this exact thing happened to
me many years ago.  I had a 65 Chevy Impala SS with a 283 with
powerglide tranny.  You didn't say if you had an auto tranny, and I
have no idea if the Dodge was in any way similar to Chevy's setup
BUT.....  I was getting clouds of white smoke out of my
exhaust....turned out it was a small diaphram valve on the auto
tranny, which was hooked up to a vacuum hose on the engine.  The
diaphram blew and the engine was sucking tranny fluid making immense
clouds of white smoke.  I know this is a very long shot, but my
symptoms were the same except for the engine using oil (the
transmission was though!).
LarryD