Just throwing this out there as to the strength and longevity of stock block mopars, and the experts can argue all they want, but I've personally run the same 340 in my dart for close to 40yrs now. Its made lots of 11 second passes on junk slicks, with mufflers. Its had the valve covers off a few times to set last and replace springs and retainers. Took off double springs to run singles. This was a low mileage motor to begin with. All home built by my father, a lifelong mopar mechanic and racer. It has factory pistons, rods crank with old direct connection rod bolts. A few oiling mods to block, milodon 8qt pan and pump. Stock caps, stock main bolts. Solid 515" cam, and home porting, along with a good valve job and some milling on the X heads. Stock 273 rockers, single plane intake, heddman big tube headers and al , stock external accessories for a stocking look. All stock electronic ignition. Granted, it's no daily driver anymore, has a 4speed, 4.88 gear. Just a weekend cruiser and occasionally kills a new camaro or stang. This motor has been powershifted at 7000rpm it's whole life and a few missed shifts have pegged the fact at 8000!!! This motor is nothing special, no exotic parts and it's been through the ringer. Burns no oil, hasn't broken any engine parts, and is a blast to drive. The Nay Sayers can say what they will, but you don't need all those fancy exotic parts to run in the 11s with a full bodied, uncut, steel car. I know for a fact that the factory parts are far stronger then they get credit for. Key is finding parts that don't have 200kmiles and proper assembly. May not make 5 or 600 hp,but who really needs to go faster then 11s on the street. Especially when all you gotta do is lash the valves and change the oil once a year. That's why the engine we built so long ago is still there since I bought it from my dad. It works and has no problem killing 383 chevys, or a lot of big blocks. These motors are stronger then a lot of guys give them credit for
