My 340 in my 66 developed issues :-(

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SGBARRACUDA said:
Good head gaskets? You have a head surface or deck that ain't flat. If they were installed properly, torqued properly, it ain't the gaskets fault.
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I don't know man... I know I torqued it right and I know the decks are true. It's not my first engine, I'm as baffled as anyone! The guy at the machine shop said he thought the gaskets I used would be fine... If I had to do it again I'd spend a couple more bucks for the stronger gaskets.
 
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Gil, the only thing different I did to that exhaust manifold other then what you did, was shave that nub off a little to make it clear the fender nicely...

The bottom picture is before without it shaved.
 
1008 Felpro's are good head gaskets. Since I see in your pictures your running J heads which are open chambered, your Static compression ratio can't be high enough that the 1008's can't hold. You may have head bolts bottoming out in the block bolt holes or bolts that are to long or some other issue.
 
SGBARRACUDA said:
1008 Felpro's are good head gaskets. Since I see in your pictures your running J heads which are open chambered, your Static compression ratio can't be high enough that the 1008's can't hold. You may have head bolts bottoming out in the block bolt holes or bolts that are to long or some other issue.
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Hmm, never thought of that with the bolts. I did use the stock bolts... I'm thinking I'm at about 10.5:1? What do you think?
 
Not sure on the CR without all the info but @ 10.5 the 1008's will have no problem. I have run 340 dome pistons with severely cut X heads on Alcohol w/ 250 shot NOS in a sand drag er. I used 1008's . They always gave me good service.
 
Have a question about timing...

I pulled the vacuum advance and plugged it then set it to 15 deg, ran real strong but some pinging on the highway if you get on it when your already doing 75/80..
Maybe drop it to 12 or 10? I'm playing with it but would love to hear some feedback..
 
Do you know what your total advance is? How much mechanical advance do you have? And at what RPM is it all in? May not be to much initial advance but to much total or coming in to soon. Hard to say not knowing the total advance and what rpm your turning at 75/80.
 
I'm not well versed at tuning the timing I have to tell you.. But I do know it is at about 3100/3200 rpm @ 75/80..
I have the Mopar electronic ignition as seen in the pictures somewhere.. It has the ballast and coil setup and I haven't done a thing to it; it's just stock.
 
I looked through the pictures. I see your using a stock balancer. Are you sure on the 32 degrees total? Did you use a stock timing light or a dial back?
 
I just bought a nice timing light, it gives me rpm and let's me set advance to line up with the zero line
 
That is a dial back. I'm not familiar with using those. I have always depended on a balancer with the 0-70 degrees on it and used a old style timing light. It's just what I'm use to. 32 total doesn't sound like to much. on my 69 360 Dart I run 18 initial and 38 total without detonating.
 
It's not a stick balancer, it's an aftermarket. My stock one was coming apart, I think it was from 1971..
 
It's 12:00 midnight here in N.H., I'll throw the light on it tomorrow and get exact numbers.. But I think if I remember correctly it's at 15* and 32* total. I'll get back about this tomorrow.
Thanks
 
No the only reason I asked is because I thought you were wanting feedback on what to do next? So did you put it back together with another 1008? Same head bolts? or please explain?
 
Oh, I misunderstood. The first time I put it together I used the cheaper felpro head gaskets. The head gasket blew into the lifter valley at nbr 3 cyl. After about 200/250 miles.

I tore it back down and replaced the cheap felpro head gaskets with felpro 1008's. I haven't had a problem since and have over 300 miles on it.

I started this thread and didn't want to leave everybody hanging, I just had to many things going on to tell everyone what was happening play by play. So tonight I just wanted to touch base and have some conversation..
 
Ok....I have a few questions. First you're doing a great job and the work you're doing will "greatly" help other early A owners who want better exhaust. What type of motor mounts are you using, this is important because the motor mount determines how high or low the engine sits. The higher the engine the more clearance on the "underside" of the manifolds for the steering box and on the torsion bars.
It was interesting to see that the driver's 340 manifold exists more to the outside of the torsion bar that on a 67 and up A body??

You do have a manual steering box right??
Do you know if the steering shaft/column have been modified??
Did you have to massage (hammer) the passenger's inner fender to get the 360 manifold to fit?
Could this have worked without the 90 degree oil filter? (just wondering)
What is the casting number on your heads?

This thread REALLY belongs in the early A section because there are many early owners who would love to have better exhaust WITHOUT HEADERS!! Especially those guys/gals running 360 motors!!

thanks for posting and I'm looking forward to your answers.

Treblig
 
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