340 cast or steel

[moparnut]

ok can someone break down the difference between a 340 cast and 340 steel crank balancing?does the cast crank require a different flywheel and balancer?which goes with which?will a steel crank have balmcing wieghts on a cast not?
thanks for any help

[lemonboy69]

Just a touch over my head.. don't want to supply you with wrong info... I'll leave this one to the pros... sorry!!

LB

[Chryco Psycho]

All 340s were steel until the 73
 the steel crank is neutral balanced & requires no extra weights , the Cast needs a special damper & flywheel

[moparnut]

thanks for your reply,cqan you visibly see the difference in flywheels between cast and steel cranks?will one has weights on it and the other doesnt?
thanks again

[Chryco Psycho]

no they drill 3/4-1" holes in the rear of the flywheels to balance them

[moparnut]

so will i see these holes when i pull the engine or will i have to remove it from the tranny to see them?
thanks

[Chryco Psycho]

you should see them from the front side

[DodgeFreak]

don't mean to hi jack the thread soo is this the same for 318s also??  I'm wanting to put a steel crank in my Magnum motor will i have to use the little harmonic balancer with it or can i use the big one?? and what if the engine is automatic it wouldn't have a Flywheel it would have a flexplate wouldn't it??? and they all have holes in them....all i know is the steel crank is a better crank..the crank i have probly has more than 200,000 miles on it and it is still in spec from orginal. where as my cast will have to be turned 10 if i wanted to use it.

[Chryco Psycho]

all 318 cranks cast or steel are internally balanced

[moparnut]

tha pancake balancer is for a steel crank and the big one is for a cast crank.You will also have to make sure you have a pilot hole in the crank,or have the machine shop drill it for the pilot bearing.If you get these mixed up like the previous owner did with my car they will rattle your teeth.I want to pull my numbers matching motor anyways to preserve it,once its gone the car drops in value.I already have a fresh 1970 340 with all the goodies to go in its place,I just wanted to make sure i was getting the right info before i bag the original and put in my play around motor.An auto has a flexplate and a manual has a flywheel that the clutch grips on to for shifting gears,they look totally different

[moparnut]

the info i posted was for a 340,sorry i am unsure about a 318