Author Topic: 340 what to do?  (Read 1282 times)

Offline cudasteve72

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340 what to do?
« on: March 04, 2011 - 04:04:29 PM »
With money becoming more of an issue my original plan of a 416 stroker may be out the window.  I have a complete engine that has not been run in probably 20 years, I think I am going to Take it to my builder Have inspect dis assemble etc to see what we've got I am not sure could be bored etc.  Hopefully Instead of spending big money on bottom end I can focus on top end and get some bang for the buck.  What do you guys think?
1972 Cuda Custom 70 clone  416 stroker 481/531 hp/
2006 Grand Cherokee SRT8 (daily)
1970 Challenger convertible 340 (Dad's)
1967 Dart gt slant six all original 40,000 miles driver but needs restoration (Brother's)
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (wife's)




Offline Katfish

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Re: 340 what to do?
« Reply #1 on: March 04, 2011 - 04:11:45 PM »
What is the price differential?  Maybe save up some more?  Hate to have regrets down the road.  Easier to work on the bolt-ons later.
Get the bottom end put together the way you want.

Offline brads70

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Re: 340 what to do?
« Reply #2 on: March 04, 2011 - 04:43:35 PM »
Pull it apart yourself! Save yourself the money paying someone else doing it ? Does it turn over still? Put a socket on the crank and see? Do you live were it freezes? Did it have antifreeze in it?
I say go buy a engine stand ( not that expensive!) and start turning wrenches! That's the best way to learn! :2thumbs: Don't be intimidated! to quote Nike....JUST DO IT! :smilielol:
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline Challenger III

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Re: 340 what to do?
« Reply #3 on: March 04, 2011 - 04:44:40 PM »
Easier to work on the bolt-ons later.
Get the bottom end put together the way you want.
  :iagree: Necessities now, goodies later! Also nice to get the hard work done first.  :2cents:
Mike    Yakima, Washington

Resto Thread:  http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=66668.0

Offline Aussie Challenger

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Re: 340 what to do?
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2011 - 06:02:38 AM »
Much easier to do the bottom end now that it is out, do it right the first time. The top end (heads) can be replaced at a later date with little effort, the same as the bolt ons.   :2thumbs:
Dave

Offline HemiOrange70

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Re: 340 what to do?
« Reply #5 on: March 05, 2011 - 12:47:52 PM »
If your lucky, you just need a cylinder honing, new rings and bearings and put some indy or edelbrock heads on it. I have a basically stock 340 and it goes

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: 340 what to do?
« Reply #6 on: March 06, 2011 - 01:02:42 AM »
build a killer bottom end / stroker  the top end can be easily swapped later

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline Topcat

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Re: 340 what to do?
« Reply #7 on: March 06, 2011 - 01:24:32 AM »
Are you dead set on a 340?
If not, what about going 440?

You could sell the 340 and buy a 440 cheap.
The funds from the 340 to offset the cost of stroking a 440.

Tear it apart yourself and save some  :2cents:

Keep saving $ either way you decide and stroke it.
Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline cudasteve72

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Re: 340 what to do?
« Reply #8 on: March 06, 2011 - 12:45:45 PM »
After further investigation I learned there is only 700 miles on the rebuild of my engine. I also came up with some more questions  about stroking.  Is the rod length the same? If everything is good could i just swap crank and bearings? Is there anything else that would need to be done?
1972 Cuda Custom 70 clone  416 stroker 481/531 hp/
2006 Grand Cherokee SRT8 (daily)
1970 Challenger convertible 340 (Dad's)
1967 Dart gt slant six all original 40,000 miles driver but needs restoration (Brother's)
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (wife's)

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: 340 what to do?
« Reply #9 on: March 06, 2011 - 06:38:02 PM »
if it only has 700 miles on it leave it alone , to stroke it you need minimum of crank & pistons , the pistons need to be fitted

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline jimynick

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Re: 340 what to do?
« Reply #10 on: March 06, 2011 - 10:57:18 PM »
Steve, you could reuse the rods, but by virtue of stroking it, the CH (compression height) of the wrist pin changes in the piston- that extra arm has to go somewhere! Check the suppliers-Eagle or Scat come to mind, for more detail.