Whats the deal with 340s?
- Thread starter Punisher66j
- Start date
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- Marvin -
Well-Known Member
I've found a 'Super compacts comparison' (Motor Trend April 1968)
Besides a Falcon and a Rambler they tested a Chevy II and a Dart.
Chevy specifications (as tested): 327 c.i. 4-bbl / 325 HP / 4-speed man. / 3,36 rear / 0 - 60 mls: 7,7s / 1/4 ml. 15,9s
Dart specifications (as tested): 340 c.i. 4-bbl/ 275 HP / 3-speed auto / 3,55 rear 7 0 - 60 mls: 6,0: /1/4 ml 14,5s
' Second run brought about the same results, and a drag between the Dart and the Chevy left no room for doubt. It just put it to the Chevy by about ten car lenghts at the finish.'
I know, not the 350 HP 327 c.i., but for me it looks if Chevy HP are not of the same kind as Mopar HP.
DARTH V8R
It's a TRAP!
LOL no thanks. There's better parts to spend my money on. + how many are really gonna runs those? Also, you gonna trust a shaft mount with pushrod oiling..If you're not a fan just run these shaft mounted rockers on the Magnum.
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Dartswinger70
Well-Known Member
340 was a pre-smog HP small block. The Govt. forced emissions on it and it became a detuned low HP engiune. The successor was the 360, a smog engine, similar to the 400 Chrysler B engine. Yes it is a 4 inch bore, but it never was comparable to a 340 when it came out in the early 70's. The cu in displacement vs Horsepower was a joke in the 70's. That's not saying you cant build up a 360, and the MP Crate 360's are great alternative for someone who wants a new drop in crate motor. The 318 is a good engine, but it was never meant for racing, the 340 was. Yes, 318s are popular now because they are drying up, I remember when people were pulling them to put B or RB engines in their cars, and giving the 318's away. I acquired one or two for free, and delivered to my garage already. Those days are over though.
As long as I'm a FABO member I don't think I'll ever be totally right...
No worries, the internet hero network system will save you!
There allways right!
DARTH V8R
It's a TRAP!
The 360 wasn't the successor to the 340, as the were produced together for 3 years. The 360 replaced the 361 Big Block. All 72-73 340's were 'smog' engines. The 74 360HP was no slouch, especially when coupled with a 4-speed.
Dartswinger70
Well-Known Member
I stand corrected.
j par
Well-hung Member
^^ way to stop rolling in the poop! LOL
Wayne County..pleaseeeeeeeeeee,all they know about is how to hide nitrous
....and pack cocaine in their noses.
j par
Well-hung Member
Not in the 80's !! LOL
Infecteddog
Well-Known Member
Is that much worse than less power? Technically they're pedestal mount stock, many switch to ball/stud for cheap roller rockers.
The teeners aren't awful, but they're substanically slower to speed and up.
That same motor was used like that up to 1980. They also had a 2bbl version of the 360HD, and a 4bbl version of the 318. The 360 did replace the 361 following '79, but it replaced the 360 in 1974, the 400 in '79, and the 440 in '80. 361s were not discontinued in 1971 with the 360's release, 340s did cease production after 1973 when the 360 was offered as its direct replacement across A, B, and E model lines.
'71/2 360s were actually decent compression, but the 360s never got good cams or the 4bbl until 1974. 318s are popular not because they are drying up because they are still cheap like that. That's what a 318 LA is worth still.
yellow rose
Overnight Sensation
As long as I'm a FABO member I don't think I'll ever be totally right...
Now your getting it. I knew you come around.
Dartswinger70
Well-Known Member
Yeah it isn't worth it in person let alone on an internet forum. I personally have always stuck with 318's and 340's just for iterchangeability. I can pull a 340 and run a 318 or vice versa, both internal balanced, I can use the same flywheel etc I once gave a 360 short block away just to get it out of my garage. I knew Id never use it. You might say I'm not a fan of a 360, but its only because I have a couple of 340's and a 318 sitting around. I always figured the 340 was the best small block Mopar offered, why play around with a 360.
j par
Well-hung Member
My 360 is internally balanced ?
Yes, they all are from the factory. The LA is balanced differently than the Magnum 5.9. FWIW.
A B&M flex plate can cure the external balance issue for a few bucks. Works well. Been there and still doing it.
Dartswinger70
Well-Known Member
Not that I am aware of, unless you had it done yourself. I am also referring to 70's 360's not magnums. Like said in my previous post, I can swap out myt 318 for a 340, and use the same flywheel, and in most cases the same damper. I believe the part numbers are the same. If I wanted to get crazy I could put my forged 340 crank in my 318. Or a cast 318 crank in a 340 in combat conditions.
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BlueDream
Aspiring Mopar enthusiast
I understand it. That's why there's a 340 under the hood of my Dart, and not a 360. My car is special to me and I knew it needed a special engine. 340's are scarce and legendary, while 360's and 318's can be found in junkyards everywhere. Some people just want to have the most power, and that's fine. Both engines can perform great, no doubt about that. 340's just have an aura that's similar to a 426, IMO. A 440 can be built to outrun a 426. More cubes, much cheaper, easy to find, etc. But a 426 is just more special than a 440. That's how I feel about the 340 vs everything else thing. It's not a question of performance, it's a question of passion. And my 340 gets my blood pumping more than a 360 ever could, regardless of power or speed. Maybe I would feel differently if I was building a drag car, or wanted to go fast on a tight budget. I just wanted a cool old motor for my cool old car, and a 340 checked all the boxes.
There's just something about a 340 that's cool and desirable.
P.S. I'm 21 so I hope that's young enough for ya. But I knew I wanted a 340 when I was like 15 and it took me 5 years to make it happen. No regrets. 340's rule!
stroked340
Well-Known Member
Damn,all this hating on 360's don't get me wrong i love em' too,had more then a few still have one..but a properly built 360 will hand a 340 it's *** all day long..
Dartswinger70
Well-Known Member
What about a "properly built"360 up against a "properly built" 340?!? Huh? Huh? This thread is turning into a 340-360 pissing match I'm thinking. I'm off to the Harley Forum to argue about 883-vs 1200 Sportsters LOL!
DARTH V8R
It's a TRAP!
ASSuming no strokers, LA360 wins. Everytime. And yeah.. the 360 can rev, no problem.
@ infecteddog; Nope. The LA360 was designed to replace the 361. However long MOPAR kept the 361 around is irrelevant.
Pedestal mount stock regardless, LA shafts are the better setup.
Those who say the 273/LA318 can't perform because of it's smallish bore.. bullcrap. Ever see the Vortec 4.8l/5.3l bore size?
you can get 500+ NAHP no problem.
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Dartswinger70
Well-Known Member
Who gives a ****, run what ya want
Times two!!I'm just happy it took some of the hate away from the 318
yellow rose
Overnight Sensation
There was Cocain long before the 80's. WC A was in the 90's and AFAIK, DA was the ONLY one ever found with Cocain. And it was conspiracy to possess with INTENT to distribute.
It was then I realized how SCUNGY our government is. I know that many of my friend, and myself included, could have done time for the same thing. DA got screwed hard, and NHRA let him pay for it, so more of the Glendora crowd didn't take the marketing hit.
Bad deal all around.
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