WTB: 1969 340 parts

[thesado]

Searching for a few parts that were missing or damaged on my newly acquired '69 340. Any years that will fit it is fine by me.

Here's the list...

Internal:
pushrods (I read the originals were shotpeened and different from other sb motors)
timing chain oil slinger
oil pump intermediate shaft and bushing

External:
damper / harmonic balancer
air breather
throttle brackets/linkages (that will fit over an LD340?) I have 318 brackets.
throttle return spring (black 2946695 is supposedly "correct")
valve covers (I'm thinking the cast Mopar Performance look sexy )
dipstick and tube


Thank you for looking.

[jimynick]

I just bought a slinger and oil pump drive shaft from Mopar and they were reasonable. I bought a Proform dipstick and tube for $8 from Northern Auto Parts today as well as a parts kit that had new block/head dowels, cam bolt/washer, cam and crank keys and cam retainer bolts, the oil drip tab and the oil pump driveshaft bushing for $16. That'll get you part of the way and I hope it helps. 

[thesado]

That does help, jimynick.   

My bet is the balancer and pushrods are going to be the biggest challenge/expense.

[70chall440]

I have to say that I have never heard that a 69 340 was different that any other 340. The only 340 that I am aware is significantly different than the others is of course the TA 340's. I do not think I would be sourcing used parts to build or rebuild an engine when there are so many new and better parts available.

[thesado]

Any recommendations on the better parts? I've seen plenty of junk parts that I won't put in it. My goal is a trouble free engine with some oomph! But I also don't want to break the bank. It's been about a decade since my last engine build and I don't remember quality parts/suppliers vs the junk.


Thanks!

[jimynick]

That does help, jimynick.   

My bet is the balancer and pushrods are going to be the biggest challenge/expense.

Summit sells two oem style balancers for $90 each and the internet is your friend for push rods. Do you not have any at all? I've never had any grief from oem push rods and Lord knows I've given them opportunity! `

[70chall440]

Any recommendations on the better parts? I've seen plenty of junk parts that I won't put in it. My goal is a trouble free engine with some oomph! But I also don't want to break the bank. It's been about a decade since my last engine build and I don't remember quality parts/suppliers vs the junk.


Thanks!

Completely dependent on what you are looking for. I know you posted a list and if that is all, Mopar performance damper would be a decent choice. As to the push rods Mopar Performance, Comp, etc. Sure there are junk parts out there but there are a lot of good ones as well. Older isnt necessarily better. I really do not think I would use 48 year old push rods in a new engine unless that is all I had and it was a very stock engine. If you are building any HP, I would definitely be using new push rods.

[Topcat]

Harmonic Balancers can be re built if you have your correct original.

[brotow]

I think I have the push rods. I have a lot of 340 parts, some from a new rebuild that the previous re-builder left a piece of plastic in the oil pump and sheared the oil pump shaft, so those internals are pretty much new. Cranks, rods, pistons, lifters, cam.....

[Locomotion]

PM sent.

[thesado]

Thanks guys,

Yea, 70chall440, I agree, old parts in a rebuild probably not the greatest idea. Yea, the 340 had shotpeened pushrods. So I just need something up to par to replace them. I'll have to keep shopping.

Topcat, I don't have the original harmonic balancer. That's handy to know though. I've found different styles from under $100 to more than $400 (quite a range). Again, just looking for something decent quality. MP might be the best way to go.

brotow, Locomotion, PM'd.

[70chall440]

No worries and just to be clear, I have reused push rods many times but generally would not take them out of one engine and put them into another unless I was the one who took them out in the first place. Its cheap insurance to start off with new parts, not so say they never fail either but at least you can get it replaced.