72 340 Engine - Which crank?

[3406pk]

Attached is a picture of vibration damper from my 72 Challenger 340 engine w factory 4 spd. It has casting date of about 6-18-71 (very bad casting numbers) and was a replacement engine as it has no vin stamping and has tag that ID's it as replacement. From picture of vib damper is this a forged crank. Backside of damper is smooth with a radiused groove on full circumference. There is no stamping or lettering on the damper. To me it appears to be internally balanced with just little metal removed from damper for final balance. What do experts say.

 

[dmoore]

I'd say it's a steel crank damper....

 

[dmoore]

I wouldn't take that date of April 11 as gospel.....D

 

[3406pk]

Thanks DMoore for the info especially the TSB. That description of damper lettering sure tells the story. Glad I've got the forged steel. Thanks again.

 

[fstfish66]

back in 1978 i pulled a 340 out of a 1973 duster, thinking it was going to be a cast crank motor,,some reason it was a forged crank,,cate code 1973 on block,,sold it just a few years ago,,,,wishing now ide kept it

 

[aaron68s]

Yep steel crank balancer, Mine looks just like that in my 72 duster, my build date was 10/12/71

 

[dmoore]

Thanks DMoore for the info especially the TSB. That description of damper lettering sure tells the story. Glad I've got the forged steel. Thanks again.

Any time:thumrigh:

 

[frosty_the_punk]

Are the inside diameter of the damper the same between cast and steel cranks?

I had some trouble fitting an aftermarket damper to my steel crank

 

[70aarcuda]

Are the inside diameter of the damper the same between cast and steel cranks?

I had some trouble fitting an aftermarket damper to my steel crank

all the LA engine damper are the same internal size...cast..or forged...340/360/318/273

might need to do a quick hone job on the damper..