Stroker 416 - Replacment 340 block - opinions?

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Offline AU6pack

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Stroker 416 - Replacment 340 block - opinions?
« on: November 30, 2013 - 10:52:50 PM »
Hi,

I have a 340 block with 6 pack set up. As far as I know its got stock internals. It runs fine, but I want more cubes. I planned to stroke the current engine so I bought a Scat forged stoker kit (.30 pistons) to get 416 cubes, Edelbrock heads,  MP 6 pack intake, Milodon pan & gear drive, Harland sharp 1.6 roller rockers, Comp roller lifters etc etc... I want to build it once and build it right with good parts.

Then I started thinking if i rebuild the current engine, Ill be left with a crank, rods and heads, intake etc that wont be worth a great deal to sell to try and offset the cost of the rebuild. So then i start looking for a rebuildable short engine, so I can sell the current engine complete and running (which I should get $3-$4K). Not much luck finding a short engine so far...

I live in Australia  :aussie: and Mopar parts here are rare and expensive.  Finding a good used 340 here would be like winning lotto.

So now I'm thinking of maybe buying a new block.

Has anyone got any experience with the new Mopar blocks - P5007552ab 340 (340 T/A) replacement block? Is there anyone else making blocks you are aware of?

I also read they are not recommended for use with roller lifters!?!? on one vendors site. Why?

There are these comments on the Mopar website:

There is an interesting situation today relative to the fairly new 340 replacement blocks (cast iron). In 1970, Chrysler built the 340 T/A performance package with a special 340 T/A block. This block was derived from the 340 and 360 production blocks. In the mid-1970s many of these T/A blocks were used in NASCAR racing until actual special race blocks became available. Now there is a 340 (or 340 T/A) replacement block P5007552AB (water-jacket) that has evolved from performance hardware by performance engineers based on customer demand. This 340 replacement block has the 340 T/A casting number plus an M cast into the side for identification. They have four-bolt mains, 318-340 crank journal sizes and are rough-bore to 3.900”, which would allow bores from around 3.91" (standard 318 size) to 4.080" (.040" over 340). I'd recommend planning on a minimum bore of a .020" over 318 – 3.93".

It a large investment but finding a good used block or short engine is not looking real easy and the last thing I want to do is ship one to Australia and find its junk.

Any feedback really appreciated.
Craig
Melbourne, Australia
1970 Challenger 416 6 pak
Resto thread - http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=114787.0




Offline crash340

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Re: Stroker 416 - Replacment 340 block - opinions?
« Reply #1 on: November 30, 2013 - 11:58:30 PM »
AU6,
possibly next year i'll be looking at doing the same, I have a 73 340 Cuda but its a matching numbers car, I thought about a stroker kit for it but two things have changed my mind, the first is, by the time I buy in everything, try to find an engine builder who knows Mopars, all the ass pain associated with it, the cost of a stroker motor from the US doesnt look so bad.
Secondly, it would be my luck I'd put a rod out teh side of the block and ruin the matching number car so, it looks like I'll pull the blue 340, mothball it and buy in a crate stoker,,, in time after I've saved some.
It'll be interesting with what some of the US guys say on this.

Greg
Greg

73 Cuda
Brisbane, Australia

Offline AU6pack

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Re: Stroker 416 - Replacment 340 block - opinions?
« Reply #2 on: December 01, 2013 - 12:08:15 AM »
Yeah I wouldn't risk a numbers matching block.

Buy carefully - I've been burnt with a BB 'crate motor' before. I chose to get the parts and have it built here, so at least I have some recourse with an engine builder that is not on the other side of the planet.

The guys on this forum gave me a referral when I was considering buying a built motor:

BRIAN HAFLIGER
IMM Engine & Dyno
45-761 Flower St
Indio CA 92201
(760) 347-5493
http://www.immengines.com/

I am sure there are others that would be recommended.
Craig
Melbourne, Australia
1970 Challenger 416 6 pak
Resto thread - http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=114787.0

Offline cudabob496

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« Last Edit: December 01, 2013 - 02:42:39 AM by cudabob496 »
72 Cuda, owned 25 years. 496, with ported Stage VI heads, .625 in solid roller, 254/258 at .050, 3500 stall, 3.91 rear. 850 Holley DP, Reverse manual valve body.

1999 Trans Am, LS1, heads, cam, headers, stall, etc! Love to surprise the rice rockets with this one. They seem so confident, then it's "what the heck just happened?"

2011 Kawasaki Z1000

Offline ChallengerHK

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Re: Stroker 416 - Replacment 340 block - opinions?
« Reply #4 on: December 01, 2013 - 02:56:51 AM »
If you're going to buy any crate motor, I think you can consider tearing the motor down and verifying that everything was done properly to be part of the process and the cost.


"She'll make point five past light speed. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, and I've made a lot of special modifications myself."

- Han Solo, Star Wars

Advice Thread - Taking Pictures Of Cars

Offline cudabob496

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Re: Stroker 416 - Replacment 340 block - opinions?
« Reply #5 on: December 01, 2013 - 05:08:31 AM »
If you're going to buy any crate motor, I think you can consider tearing the motor down and verifying that everything was done properly to be part of the process and the cost.

Might not be necessary if they give a decent warranty.  Take it out, and beat on it, and if its still running good,
probably assembled correctly. In fact, doing a disassembly might void the warranty.
« Last Edit: December 01, 2013 - 05:10:40 AM by cudabob496 »
72 Cuda, owned 25 years. 496, with ported Stage VI heads, .625 in solid roller, 254/258 at .050, 3500 stall, 3.91 rear. 850 Holley DP, Reverse manual valve body.

1999 Trans Am, LS1, heads, cam, headers, stall, etc! Love to surprise the rice rockets with this one. They seem so confident, then it's "what the heck just happened?"

2011 Kawasaki Z1000

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Stroker 416 - Replacment 340 block - opinions?
« Reply #6 on: December 01, 2013 - 06:23:45 AM »
I agree with Dave tear it down , one of the crate engines I worked on would have been badly damaged if it had been started as delivered , who wants to wait while an engine is returned if the problem can be acvoided up front . The Hemi we had delivered as a crate went back 3 times , international shipping , before it was right .

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline brads70

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Re: Stroker 416 - Replacment 340 block - opinions?
« Reply #7 on: December 01, 2013 - 07:33:49 AM »
Hi,

I also read they are not recommended for use with roller lifters!?!? on one vendors site. Why?


Any feedback really appreciated.
Don't hold me to it , but I think the issue was the oil groove was not lined up correctly on the lifter and would not get oil and/or pop out of the lifter bore at full lift or at the other end on the base circle and bleed off oil pressure ( the oil groove in the lifter)
When I built my hyd roller big block I read that was an issue with some lifter manufacturers and checked this very carefully at assembly. 
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 cudabob496

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Re: Stroker 416 - Replacment 340 block - opinions?
« Reply #8 on: December 01, 2013 - 07:37:35 AM »
I agree with Dave tear it down , one of the crate engines I worked on would have been badly damaged if it had been started as delivered , who wants to wait while an engine is returned if the problem can be acvoided up front . The Hemi we had delivered as a crate went back 3 times , international shipping , before it was right .

What percentage of crate motors sold today would you expect to be faulty, and require a return for repairs?
72 Cuda, owned 25 years. 496, with ported Stage VI heads, .625 in solid roller, 254/258 at .050, 3500 stall, 3.91 rear. 850 Holley DP, Reverse manual valve body.

1999 Trans Am, LS1, heads, cam, headers, stall, etc! Love to surprise the rice rockets with this one. They seem so confident, then it's "what the heck just happened?"

2011 Kawasaki Z1000

Offline brads70

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Re: Stroker 416 - Replacment 340 block - opinions?
« Reply #9 on: December 01, 2013 - 07:42:56 AM »
I'm not into "crate" engines. I trust no one and want to assemble it myself so I know what parts are in it and it's done right and no cut corners. I've actually heard reports of shady people around here building engines with customers supplied parts that never made it into the engine! :stomp:
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 cudabob496

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Re: Stroker 416 - Replacment 340 block - opinions?
« Reply #10 on: December 01, 2013 - 08:03:24 AM »
No doubt, suggesting that some folks on this site consider a crate motor, is like suggesting a Swiss watch maker
buy his next personal watch at Walmart.
72 Cuda, owned 25 years. 496, with ported Stage VI heads, .625 in solid roller, 254/258 at .050, 3500 stall, 3.91 rear. 850 Holley DP, Reverse manual valve body.

1999 Trans Am, LS1, heads, cam, headers, stall, etc! Love to surprise the rice rockets with this one. They seem so confident, then it's "what the heck just happened?"

2011 Kawasaki Z1000

Offline AU6pack

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Re: Stroker 416 - Replacment 340 block - opinions?
« Reply #11 on: December 01, 2013 - 08:18:35 AM »
All good comments... but we digress on the topic....

Any thoughts/feedback on the new 340 block????  :dunno:
Craig
Melbourne, Australia
1970 Challenger 416 6 pak
Resto thread - http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=114787.0

Offline brads70

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Re: Stroker 416 - Replacment 340 block - opinions?
« Reply #12 on: December 01, 2013 - 12:37:16 PM »
All good comments... but we digress on the topic....

Any thoughts/feedback on the new 340 block????  :dunno:

All I've heard is my circle track buddy say they are heavy. Not much help I know....
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 crash340

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Re: Stroker 416 - Replacment 340 block - opinions?
« Reply #13 on: December 01, 2013 - 01:45:16 PM »
Sorry AU6pack, that was my fault, some interesting comments no less.
Greg
Greg

73 Cuda
Brisbane, Australia

Offline RzeroB

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Re: Stroker 416 - Replacment 340 block - opinions?
« Reply #14 on: December 01, 2013 - 05:52:55 PM »
All good comments... but we digress on the topic....

Any thoughts/feedback on the new 340 block????  :dunno:

Why not a 360 block? 340 blocks are rare but 360 blocks are pretty plentiful and relatively easy to come by. Most all of the small block stroker motor crate engines are based off of the 360 block. Why not build your stroker from one of them? :dunno:
Cheers!
Tom
St Louis, MO

Former owner of 16 classic Mopars. "It is better to have owned (Mopars) and lost then to have never owned at all" (apologies to Alfred Lord Tennyson)