340 blocks and dates

[Rebel426]

I recently picked up 3 340 blocks from a retired drag racer. The price was right and I didn’t pay too much attention to any numbers on them. All three have an issue here or there but nothing major. Well, this weekend I was rearranging the disaster area masquerading as my garage and paid closer attention to these. One is June of 67, the second is May of 73, and the third is July of 73. I’m curious as to how close to the start and end of the 340 run these things are. Also, the two 73 blocks have no VIN stampings. Given how late the casting dates are, do you think they were possibly parts counter pieces?

 

[Oldmanmopar]

The last picture almost looks like a 70. I never saw a late 73 340 casting. Possible warrantee engine. Nice score

 

[HemiSSDart]

I had a few 6-27-67 casting 340 blocks, so I believe they cast a bunch that week in 1967. The other two do look to be replacement blocks, so you have three blocks at the beginning and end of 340 production, pretty cool!

 

[Rebel426]

The last picture almost looks like a 70. I never saw a late 73 340 casting. Possible warrantee engine. Nice score

It is a 3, just hard to tell with the caked on layers of paint.

 

[ch1ll]

What does the stamping below the drivers side head say? That should give you the machining date I believe.

 

[Rebel426]

The 73 blocks are blank. This is on the 67 block.

 

[cudamark]

Assuming the last two are actually 340 blocks (how about posting a photo of the casting numbers), they're probably replacement blocks.

 

[Rebel426]

Assuming the last two are actually 340 blocks (how about posting a photo of the casting numbers), they're probably replacement blocks.

Wouldn’t have made much sense to make this post if they weren’t 340 blocks now would it? I’ll satisfy your curiosity though.

 

[cudamark]

Thanks, no reflection on you, but, It wouldn't be the first time I've seen someone mis-identify something. I've had several people swear that their '67 and earlier A-body came stock with a 318. Without photos to verify, we can only guess.

 

[Syleng1]

The other option are they are Marine blocks.
Typically they were all rusted from the inside out. Raw water cooled.
I’ve run into a few along the shoreline back in the 80’s looking for the 340 engines. Bought them and found out they were useless.

 

[Rebel426]

The other option are they are Marine blocks.
Typically they were all rusted from the inside out. Raw water cooled.
I’ve run into a few along the shoreline back in the 80’s looking for the 340 engines. Bought them and found out they were useless.

I highly doubt these are marine blocks. The guy raced them for years. They have flash rust on them from where the tarp blew off during a storm just before I picked them up. Machine work was done by Hensley Racing in Knoxville. They didn’t work on crap.

 

[OldmanRick]

The 2287 on the early block should date to Nov. 1 1967 as per the 10k day calendar.