Value of a 340

Every time I pop the hood and see that Hemi orange 340, I can't help but smile. I'm reminded of how long I've waited, how hard I've worked, and how much I've learned to get to this point. This old Dart is special to me and I knew it deserved a special engine, that's why I had to have a 340. There's just something magical about a 340 that a 318 or 360 will never have, IMO.

I stumbled upon a date correct 340 for my car for $600. I got a freshly machined late '72 340 block w/ main caps, new cam bearings, brass core plugs, a good crankshaft, a new set of pistons, a windage tray, and an oil pan. It was just sitting in someone's shop and I saw it and asked to buy it. I already had a set of 360/340 J heads that I gave $20 for too. I've seen bare blocks for sale with a $500 price tag so I think I got a good deal.

I never would have been able to afford a $1,500 long block that needed rebuilding. College student budget problems. :banghead:

I like my 340 though. It sounds good, it's powerful, and it's just a cool old motor with a great history behind it.