340 X heads

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X heads were used as the switch over was happening in 1970 model year.

That's a late casting date for the period. My 70 swinger with a a dec build engine had a x on one side, J on the other.
 
As my elder mind seems to recall, X heads were only
on 68 and 69 model that I have ever seen.

The 70 models that I have ever seen were J or U.
My Galen book says 68-71 were X (2.02/1.60)
70-71 360 were J,Z, or O (1.88/1.60)
70 TA were U or O (2.02/1.60)
72 340-360 were J (1.88/1.60) I would imagine the 73 and 74 were J's as well although they were listed as a different casting number. (3671587)
 
My Galen book says 68-71 were X (2.02/1.60)
70-71 360 were J,Z, or O (1.88/1.60)
70 TA were U or O (2.02/1.60)
72 340-360 were J (1.88/1.60) I would imagine the 73 and 74 were J's as well although they were listed as a different casting number. (3671587)
I saw the question asked many years ago but don't recall the answer - "What did the different letters mean and were they casting # specific?" I don't normally use the letters as a reference, just the casting #'s because it gets confusing. Anybody have any additional info?

'68-'70 340 = 894
'70-'71 (-'72) 360 = 915
'70 T/A = 915
('71-) '72 340 = 915
'73-'74 340 & 360 = 587

As far as I know, only the 894 X head had "340" cast into it while the rest had "360".

I borrowed these pics from another members post a long time ago. I believe the story was that these original bare X 894 castings were machined with T/A intake pushrod locations by Mopar during development before 915's were available. Only 915's were eventually used on T/A & AAR production cars.

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Galens book is wrong. The chances of a 71 model year engine have an X head on it are so small. As though there was a dusty set laying around.

915's were the baseline/intended production head for the 1970-72 model year on 340's. Anything 1970 with an X head was a carry over of prior year inventory.
 
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Galens book is wrong. The chances of a 71 model year engine have an X head on it are so small. As though there was a dusty set laying around.

915's were the baseline/intended production head for the 1970-72 model year on 340's. Anything 1970 with an X head was a carry over of prior year inventory.
Yes you are correct Galen is wrong. I have a 70 TA 340 that has U heads, I have seen some other mistakes also. I have O U D J heads that are stock 1.88 and 2.02
 
I saw the question asked many years ago but don't recall the answer - "What did the different letters mean and were they casting # specific?" I don't normally use the letters as a reference, just the casting #'s because it gets confusing. Anybody have any additional info?

'68-'70 340 = 894
'70-'71 (-'72) 360 = 915
'70 T/A = 915
('71-) '72 340 = 915
'73-'74 340 & 360 = 587

As far as I know, only the 894 X head had "340" cast into it while the rest had "360".

I borrowed these pics from another members post a long time ago. I believe the story was that these original bare X 894 castings were machined with T/A intake pushrod locations by Mopar during development before 915's were available. Only 915's were eventually used on T/A & AAR production cars.

View attachment 1716384326

View attachment 1716384327

View attachment 1716384328
That's a first for me and pictures don't lie.
 
340's were 10.5-1 compression with 894 heads. In 1970 when they put the 915's on with the same piston and cam. Then the compression dropped to 10.3 in all service manuals for 1971. All the small valve 340's were 8.5-1 this drop was with the pistons use
 
so my o heads with 202 are ta heads ?...is that good or bad for my 69 340 build

Only if they have factory offset pushrod holes in them.

See the pics above where the holes are on those 894 heads. See the flat area and dimples in the intake runner walls, that is where the std pushrod holes are located.
 
so my o heads with 202 are ta heads ?...is that good or bad for my 69 340 build
Any 915 casting head could be ground out to be a TA head.

Never heard of a 915 head O, U, J, being cast early enough to be used prior to 1970.

What exactly are you saying?
 
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