Description
About This Engine
The Dodge 318 is Chrysler's best-selling V8 engine and one of the most widely used American V8s in automotive history. Introduced in 1967 as the LA (Light A) series small block, it remained in production in evolved form through 2003- a 35-year production run that saw it power virtually every Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth vehicle ever built during that era. Where the 340 and 360 got the performance headlines and the 383 and 440 got the muscle car glory, the 318 was the engine that actually kept America moving. It was in police cruisers, taxi fleets, everyday sedans, pickup trucks, cargo vans, and RVs for three and a half decades.
The 318 earned its reputation through two core strengths: durability and reasonable fuel economy. With its 2-barrel carburetor and modest state of tune, it produced 200 to 230 hp- enough for smooth highway performance in a full-size Dodge or a spirited launch in a lighter Dart or Duster- while returning 15 to 16 mpg that most of its big-block contemporaries could not approach. Police agencies across the country chose the 318-powered Dodge Diplomat over comparable Ford and Chevrolet alternatives for its combination of performance and long-term durability.
In 1992, Chrysler introduced the Magnum update: roller lifters replacing flat-tappet units, revised cylinder heads with improved port flow, and sequential multi-port fuel injection replacing carburetors and TBI. The Magnum 318 (sold as the 5.2 Magnum) remained in production through 2003 in the Ram truck lineup and represents the most capable and most durable evolution of this architecture.
Signs You Need a Replacement Engine
- Blue smoke on cold start that clears after warm-up- valve stem seal wear, extremely common on high-mileage LA 318 engines
- Knock under load- rod or main bearing wear on high-mileage units
- Rough idle that worsens when warm- cam lobe wear on flat-tappet LA engines that were run without proper ZDDP oil
- Loss of compression on one or more cylinders- ring wear or scored cylinder walls
- EFI rough idle or hesitation not resolved by basic service on Magnum 318- MAP sensor or idle air control failure
- Oil leaks at front timing cover and valve covers- common on aged Mopar small blocks
Known Problems With This Engine
- Flat-tappet cam lobe wear on LA 318 (pre-1992): The LA 318 uses a flat-tappet camshaft. Modern engine oils are formulated with reduced zinc (ZDDP) for catalytic converter protection, but this makes them inadequate for flat-tappet camshaft lubrication. Any LA 318 that has been run for years on modern low-zinc oil likely has accelerated cam lobe wear. We inspect valvetrain indicators and report before shipping.
- LA vs Magnum head incompatibility: The LA 318 and Magnum 318 use different cylinder heads. The Magnum heads have larger ports and a different intake manifold bolt pattern. They are not directly interchangeable. We document which generation head is on the unit before every order ships.
- 5-bearing crankshaft vs competition: The 318's 5-bearing crankshaft was entirely adequate for the engine's power output but limited its response to high-rpm performance modifications compared to engines with more main bearings. For a stock or mild street replacement, this is a non-issue.
- Lean Burn ignition system on 1977 to 1979 LA 318: These years used Chrysler's problematic Lean Burn electronic ignition that caused reliability issues. We note ignition system configuration on these year-specific units.
- EGR and emissions equipment on late LA units: 1975 and later LA 318s have EGR valves and increasingly complex emissions equipment that can cause surging, rough idle, and fuel economy loss when aged. We note emissions equipment condition on late-model LA units.
Dodge 318 Variants by Generation and Fuel System
Two distinct engineering generations across the 318's 35-year production run:
| Generation | Years | HP Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| LA 318- 2V Carb | 1967 to 1987 | 150 to 230 hp | Most common. 2-barrel carb. Flat-tappet cam. Powers Dart, Duster, Diplomat, Ram D-series truck, Van, and virtually all Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth models. |
| LA 318- 4V Police Carb | 1978 to 1991 | 175 to 195 hp | 4-barrel carb on Diplomat and Gran Fury police cars. Higher-output tune. Still flat-tappet cam. |
| LA 318 TBI Truck | 1988 to 1991 | 140 hp | Throttle body injection on D-series truck. First fuel-injected 318. Roller lifters introduced here before Magnum. |
| Magnum 318 (5.2 Magnum) | 1992 to 2003 | 230 hp at 4,100 rpm | Roller lifters, revised heads, sequential MPFI. Ram truck, Grand Cherokee, Dakota. Significantly improved over LA. |
Common Casting Numbers
| 2780930 / 3462293 | Common early LA 318 blocks 1967 to 1972 |
|---|---|
| 3769902 / 3769827 | Mid-era LA 318 blocks 1973 to 1980 |
| 4323900 / 53020699 | Late LA and early Magnum transition blocks |
Casting number and date code documented on every unit before shipping.
What Is Included- What Is Not Included
| INCLUDED- Long Block | Block, crankshaft, pistons, connecting rods, camshaft, cylinder heads, valve train, oil pan, front timing cover, and water pump where present. |
|---|---|
| NOT INCLUDED | Intake manifold, carburetor or EFI system, exhaust manifolds, distributor or ignition system, alternator, power steering pump, starter, flexplate or flywheel, accessory brackets. |
| Core Note | No core charge. You are not required to return your old engine. |
Vehicle Compatibility
The Dodge 318 powered virtually every Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth vehicle for 35 years. Key applications include:
| Dodge Dart and Demon | 1967 to 1976 |
|---|---|
| Plymouth Duster, Barracuda, Valiant, Scamp | 1967 to 1976 |
| Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare | 1976 to 1980 |
| Dodge Diplomat and Plymouth Gran Fury (Police) | 1977 to 1989 |
| Dodge Ram D-100/D-150/D-250 Truck | 1967 to 1993 |
| Dodge Ram Van and Wagon B-series | 1971 to 1993 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | 1993 to 1998 (Magnum 5.2) |
| Dodge Dakota | 1992 to 1996 (Magnum 5.2) |
| Dodge Ram 1500 | 1992 to 2003 (Magnum 5.2) |
The 318 shares the Chrysler LA and Magnum small block bellhousing bolt pattern and motor mount dimensions with the 273, 340, 360, and 400. It is a direct swap in any vehicle originally built around any of those engines. Note: LA heads and Magnum heads use different intake manifold bolt patterns and are not interchangeable. Verify generation before sourcing intake components.
Transmission compatibility: Torqueflite 727 (A727) automatic- most common heavy-duty pairing | Torqueflite 904 (A904)- lighter duty automatic | Chrysler 833 4-speed manual- some performance applications | 46RH / 518 overdrive automatic- Magnum era truck applications.
Not sure if this fits? Call (240) 301-0095. We verify fitment before every order ships.
Common Names and Search Terms
| Dodge 318 | Most common buyer search |
|---|---|
| 318 V8 engine | Configuration search |
| Chrysler 318 | Brand variant buyer |
| Mopar 318 | Mopar community buyer |
| LA 318 | Series designation- restoration buyer |
| 5.2 Magnum engine | Magnum designation- truck buyer |
| Dodge 5.2L engine | Liter format buyer |
| 318 small block Mopar | Architecture designation |
| 318 engine replacement | Replacement buyer intent |
| Chrysler small block 318 | Full designation search |
Used OEM vs Rebuilt- Which Is Right for You?
Used OEM is the right choice for a Dart, Duster, Ram truck, or Diplomat replacement- particularly where a compression-tested documented engine with confirmed generation is needed. Our 318 units are tested with generation, fuel system type, and cam type disclosed before shipping.
A rebuilt 318 makes sense for a show car or a high-output build. Mopar small block specialists can rebuild a 318 to 340 or 360 specification using replacement components. Call us and we can discuss current unit condition and whether a rebuild adds value for your application.
Condition and Inspection Process
- Compression test across all 8 cylinders- results per cylinder recorded and shared before shipping
- Generation confirmed- LA or Magnum documented including fuel system type
- Cam type confirmed- flat-tappet (LA) or roller (Magnum/late LA TBI) noted
- Valvetrain condition indicators inspected- cam lobe wear signs noted on flat-tappet LA units
- Casting number documented- year and block family confirmed
- Timing cover and gasket surfaces inspected for seepage
Mileage varies by unit. Where available from the donor vehicle we provide it. Where mileage cannot be confirmed, we disclose this before your order is placed.
Buyer Tips- What to Know Before You Order
- Flat-tappet oil- mandatory for LA 318: If installing a pre-1992 LA 318, use only oil with ZDDP zinc additive. Add a ZDDP supplement (such as Driven or Comp Cams ZL-1) to any modern oil. Running a flat-tappet LA 318 on modern low-zinc oil without supplementation will destroy the cam lobes within 10,000 miles.
- LA vs Magnum heads- not interchangeable: The Magnum head has a different intake manifold bolt pattern. A Magnum engine requires a Magnum intake manifold. An LA intake will not bolt to a Magnum head. We confirm generation before shipping- verify your intake manifold matches.
- Police 318 identification: The 1978 to 1991 police-specification 318 used a 4-barrel carburetor and specific cam. These units typically have low-mileage, well-maintained histories and are among the most desirable used 318 cores. Call us and ask about police-spec availability.
- Lean Burn ignition (1977 to 1979): The Chrysler Lean Burn system on 1977 to 1979 LA 318s is a known problem source. If your replacement vehicle uses these years, consider converting to a standard electronic ignition system during installation.
- Magnum EFI compatibility: The Magnum 318's sequential EFI requires the Magnum ECU, wiring harness, and sensors. It is not a simple replacement for an LA carbureted 318 without converting the entire fuel delivery system. We advise on this before shipping.
Why Buy From Vaz Auto Solutions
- Generation confirmed before you pay- LA or Magnum, fuel system type, and cam type documented
- Compression tested across all 8 cylinders- results shared before order confirmed
- Flat-tappet cam wear indicators noted on LA units- most important concern on aged Mopar small blocks
- Casting number documented- year and block family confirmed
- No core charge- keep your old engine
- Free freight pallet delivery to all 50 states, no hidden fees
- 15 day replacement warranty on internal engine defects
- Call (240) 301-0095- speak with someone who understands LA vs Magnum 318 differences and Mopar small block applications
jane Doe (verified owner) –
I recently purchased a Dodge 318 engine from Vaz Auto Solutions and couldn’t be happier. The engine runs smoothly, and the customer service was outstanding. Highly recommend!
doglous brown (verified owner) –
The Dodge 318 engine I purchased from Vaz Auto Solutions exceeded my expectations. It arrived promptly and in perfect condition. Very satisfied with my purchase.
Dave R., Tulsa OK –
Needed an LA 318 for my Dart. Vaz confirmed the early block casting, checked compression across all 8, and specifically noted the flat-tappet cam condition looked clean- no signs of lobe wear. They also reminded me about ZDDP additive which I already knew but appreciated the due diligence. Dart fires right up and runs strong.
Frank M., Dallas TX –
Replaced the Magnum 5.2 in my Ram with a Vaz unit. They confirmed the Magnum generation, roller lifters, and EFI setup before shipping. Compression was solid. One valve cover gasket was seeping- disclosed upfront. Fixed for $15 at install. Truck runs great. Good honest company.