340 K Member ??

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Thanks, that answers a few questions and verifies a few others. Hmmm, but the hunt continues on the 'washer' front...
 
They should have referred to the top K-member here as `68-72. Although the motor mountings may be the same, the idler arm pivot is a different piece on the `67 K-member.

k%20frame%201.jpg
 
gts340 said:
Let's get more specific. List year, engine, trans, brakes and swaybar then weather or not the k-frame has a washer and let's see where we come out.
1. 71 Demon, 340, 4 spd, disks, NO swaybar and washer.
2. 71 Demon, 340, auto, drums, swaybar and washer.
3. 70 Swinger, 340, 3 spd, disks, swaybar and washer.

I'll have to check my 68 GTS for the washer.
Click to expand...

71 Duster, 340, auto, drums, swaybar, NO washer. Built 8/70.
Not original owner so I cannot verify pedigree of X member.
 
So from what I have seen in this thread…. Starting sometime in 69, 340 k-frames (regardless of options) got this washer (probably as some form of identification) and the washer continued in use through 72 (not enough info on 73s).

Only 1 claimed to have one on a 68 (I don't trust that claim to be accurate).

Only 1 claimed to have one on a 318 car (I don't trust that claim to be accurate).
 
Longgone said:
They should have referred to the top K-member here as `68-72. Although the motor mountings may be the same, the idler arm pivot is a different piece on the `67 K-member.
Click to expand...


The are talking about measurements to tell the difference between the 6 and v-8 mounts . The idler arm really doesn't make a difference in what they are explaining.
 
Joe, why are you up so early?

OK, I've seen cars listed here with and without disks, swaybars, 340 and three different transmissions that ALL HAVE THE WASHER. So, let's explore the torsion bar idea some more. Maybe it has merit, even though the build sheet lists what size t-bar the car should have. Maybe it was a quick reference to save time.
I'll post a picture of the t-bars if I still have it that came out of the non way bar 340 Demon with disks I parted out.
 
Joe, why are you up so early?
Click to expand...


i was getting ready to leave work..:)


oh and for the list. the k-frame i had with the washer was from a 70 340 4 speed duster. can't remember for the life of me what brakes it had though. i assume it was drum because i think i would have remembered selling the 4 piston discs if it had them..
 
You might have something here. In the second picture i posted on page one of this forum shows the rear of the k frame where the lower control arm goes into the frame. There are two flat pieces of steel welded to the frame next to the hole where the control arm slides in. I assume this was to strengthen the frame in that area for a heavier torsion bar. Or could it have been some type of an identification mark from the factory for a recall. Maybe early frames where cracking there and the factory was fixing them by welding steel around the lower control arm hole and identifying the fix with the washer because you cant see the fix once the control arms are back on the car.
 
abodyjoe said:
The are talking about measurements to tell the difference between the 6 and v-8 mounts . The idler arm really doesn't make a difference in what they are explaining.
Click to expand...

I realize that and that`s why I included (quote) "although the motor mountings may be the same". (quote)

There`s going to be somebody out there with a 67 K-member that looks at that picture and says "hey there`s something wrong here".
 
1968FormulaS340 said:
Interesting. Can you verify that it is an original 340 car? Does it have the correct code on the fender or vin tag?
Click to expand...

Yes,
Vin: VS29H1B1XXXXX
Fender tag: E55 D32 VS29 H1B 1XXXXX color is EV2
Has a rallye dash with 150 speedometer, shark tooth grill, and rectangular chrome exhaust tips. Interestingly, it is a column shift with a front bench seat.

Current engine is a 318 from 1976 with a 904 trans. No VIN numbers on the block or tranny. History is not availble as to the original engine and trans. I am currently looking to get a 340 for it.
 
DFX 340 Duster said:
Yes,
Vin: VS29H1B1XXXXX
Fender tag: E55 D32 VS29 H1B 1XXXXX color is EV2
Has a rallye dash with 150 speedometer, shark tooth grill, and rectangular chrome exhaust tips. Interestingly, it is a column shift with a front bench seat.

Current engine is a 318 from 1976 with a 904 trans. No VIN numbers on the block or tranny. History is not availble as to the original engine and trans. I am currently looking to get a 340 for it.
Click to expand...

Check this out.

http://www.hamtramck-historical.com...alershipDataBook/1971/71_Valiant_Duster_2.jpg

You posted that your car did not have a sway bar which would have been standard.

Your k-frame may have been changed.
 
Small Block said:
Must have been 70 models and up on the 340's. Don't ya like learnin even at our age?

Here's another one for ya. He's quite sure of this. The steering columns on the 71 and 72 dusters only have the key release knob on the under side of the column. My 72 duster dont have it. What's you guys findings on this one. We looked my field over and i don't have a car that has it in any of those years. This needs some research.
Click to expand...

My 71 Duster doesn't have a key release knob. Key releases when shifter is placed in park and the steering wheel is locked.
 
1968FormulaS340 said:
Check this out.

http://www.hamtramck-historical.com...alershipDataBook/1971/71_Valiant_Duster_2.jpg

You posted that your car did not have a sway bar which would have been standard.

Your k-frame may have been changed.
Click to expand...

I posted that my car does have a swaybar. It has no washer on the K-member.
Looking around, I noticed that the passenger fender was replaced since it did not have undercoating and the part number is plainly seen. The rest of the car is undercoated. The front frame rails are painted orange (faded) and the K-frame has areas that are painted black (faded). There are white "X"s that were painted (epoxy paint pen?) on the K frame where it is bolted to the car frame. The valance between the bumper and the grill is in excellent shape and the part number on the backside is plainly seen. The bumper is bent up in the center but it has excellent chrome with no pitting or oxidation spots.

Based upon an obvious replaced front fender and the fact that everyone else with a 71 340 seems to have the washer on the K-member, I am now leaning towards a replaced K-frame.
 
Sorry I'm late to the party. My 70 Swinger 340 does have the washer. Auto, Disc brakes, sway bar, no power steering. All verified by build sheet.
 
I posted my pics long ago in the thread, my 1970 340 Dart has the washer, 340, 727, 3:23 8 3/4 rear, disc brakes, sway bar, and power steering.
 
With all the bullitins that Ma Mopar put out you would certainly think she would have put one out regarding that washer. I'll google it and see what comes up. This certainly has been interesting to say the least.
Small Block
 
abodyjoe said:
weird. the boxes usually came on 4speed cars..
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Hey DFX – replying late to this one but is that for sure that only 4 speed cars got torque boxes? My 72 automatic has on all 4 corners and I said the 70 340 4 speed car has on front but might be on all 4 as well. Do we know if they split up with only 2 on the front or 2 on the back? I have seen a couple with only 2.
How about 340 Dusters and Demons (didn't check or ask) - I've only seen them on 340 equipped Swingers.
 
cliff guinand said:
Hey DFX – replying late to this one but is that for sure that only 4 speed cars got torque boxes? My 72 automatic has on all 4 corners and I said the 70 340 4 speed car has on front but might be on all 4 as well. Do we know if they split up with only 2 on the front or 2 on the back? I have seen a couple with only 2.
How about 340 Dusters and Demons (didn't check or ask) - I've only seen them on 340 equipped Swingers.
Click to expand...

Cliff, I don't know what you mean by "torque boxes". I am thinking that my K memeber is a replacement.
 
DFX, torque boxes are sheetmetal boxes that the factory used on Hemi and convertible models (in this case, a select few A-bodies) to strengthen the uni-body design and improve handling (factory subframe connectors). These boxes are located behind the front wheels and in front of the rear wheels and link the rocker panels to the frame. Torque boxes were sometimes installed on 440 cars and were a "hit and miss" add-on, depending on what the factory had in stock on a particular day. Even if your vehicle did not have factory boxes, they can easily be added to your A, B or E body Mopar. There are a number of companies that re-pop them - I got a great set from Rick Kruziger out of WI. I searched here on FABO for a string related to torque boxes but not much. A far as I know, a good number of '70 Swinger 340 cars got them but don't know if any 340 Dusters or Demons got them as well. This also made me raise the question of the washers, maybe they indicated that boxes be added to the car... I think I might start a string asking the A-body torque box question - which cars got them etc.
 
cliff guinand said:
DFX, torque boxes are sheetmetal boxes that the factory used on Hemi and convertible models (in this case, a select few A-bodies) to strengthen the uni-body design and improve handling (factory subframe connectors). These boxes are located behind the front wheels and in front of the rear wheels and link the rocker panels to the frame. Torque boxes were sometimes installed on 440 cars and were a "hit and miss" add-on, depending on what the factory had in stock on a particular day. Even if your vehicle did not have factory boxes, they can easily be added to your A, B or E body Mopar. There are a number of companies that re-pop them - I got a great set from Rick Kruziger out of WI. I searched here on FABO for a string related to torque boxes but not much. A far as I know, a good number of '70 Swinger 340 cars got them but don't know if any 340 Dusters or Demons got them as well. This also made me raise the question of the washers, maybe they indicated that boxes be added to the car... I think I might start a string asking the A-body torque box question - which cars got them etc.
Click to expand...

I checked my H code 69 Polara 500 Convertible equipped with the factory (numbers matching) HP 383/727 combo. It seems to have what you describe. I looked at my 71 Duster and there doesn't appear to be the boxes behind the front wheels. There does appear to be a box type sheet metal arrangement in front of the forward spring hanger. I will take pictures and send them to you and you can judge for yourself since this is new to me.

Art
 
correct me if i'm wrong but i believe all verts got the torque boxes to increase rigidity to replace strength lost by removing the roof.

edit: sorry, should have read entire quote above
 
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