1972 340

'68 Charger · May 13, 2016

I know in 1972 that the LA 340 switched to cast with 71 and earlier 340s being forged crank. As far as being desirable is the 72-73 340s that much of a drop off from the 71 and earlier? I have a chance to get a 340 and it happens to be from a 1972 body.

Thanks

aldal · May 13, 2016

I think it depends on how much power you are going to want to get out of it.

FlagCraig · May 13, 2016

I have a 72 340 and stroked it to a 416. It's a butt kicker. Original to the car and I wanted more hp when I did the rebuild. 340 gets high marks as a very good motor.

Northern Runner · May 13, 2016

I guess it would all depends on three factors. How complete the engine is. Their Price. And what your plans are for it.
The 1972 Blocks came with "J" Heads that had 1.88 valves and their pistons are probably a little deep in the hole.
If you are going to keep it mostly stock on the bottom end and have a nice little small block then you could probably get away with buying that 340 provided they don't want an insane amount of money for it. So, get some Aluminum heads, some nice flatops to get you up to 10.5-1 and you're in business! Those cast cranks are fine for performance, Tom Hoover ran a 360 crank in his 340 back in the day. If it didn't scare him, it won't scare me.
But if your plans are to stroke it and make a pretty serious small block, forget it! Grab a 360 and enjoy the money you save just in the purchase of the block!

'68 Charger · May 13, 2016

Thanks for the replies thus far. I plan on keeping it stock if I get it.

Seller says i can hear it run when I go took look at it. He's asking $1500.00.

Again many thanks to all who replied.

moper · May 15, 2016

If it's complete and running, air cleaner to oil pan, manifolds, crackets, etc, it's worth close to what they want IMO. The more he keeps, the less it's worth.

HawkRod · May 15, 2016

My first car (and the one my son has now) was a 1973 Road Runner with a 340. I put bigger valves in it and ported the heads, added headers and high compression pistons with two thirds cut off to improve the quench area. Car now runs 10.0:1 compression and runs like a scared ape. Fantastic engine.

By the way, if you ARE going to stroke an engine, the 340 has a bigger bore than the 360...

monaco66coupe · May 15, 2016

1972 340's were still Forged, at least with a manual transmission. I have an original 72' Roadrunner engine sitting unmolested. Lower compression is a fact of life with the new fuels, but 340's are a great engine.

1972 340

'68 Charger

Well-Known Member

aldal

FBBO Gold Member

FlagCraig

Well-Known Member

Northern Runner

Well-Known Member

'68 Charger

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moper

Well-Known Member

HawkRod

Formerly hsorman

monaco66coupe

Well-Known Member

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