Engine newbie needs help! 1972 Satellite

[Sebringcharlie]

I've purchased a 340 block for my 1972 Satellite, it comes with:
X heads
aluminum intake
eagle rods
je pistons
steel crank
hardened main caps
sleeved lifter bores

It is not together, a mechanic friend is helping me assemble. How do I determine a camshaft and other parts for the engine when the rest of the car is not together yet? I have not yet determined the carb, the rear end gear ratios, the rear tire diameter, the compression ratio or anything.

 

[ma mopar nutz]

For best results you will definitely need to know rear gear ratio compression would be helpful and what kind of driving conditions will it see (street/strip) then we maybe able to give you a better answer !:headbang:

 

[Budnicks]

I agree those are important details to know,

what kind of budget ?
what kind of experience do you have ?
what is the intended usage ?
hopped up street car, street/strip car, boulevard cruiser with a mean sound, stock mostly with a camshaft

before picking a properly suited type/style camshaft, hydr. or mechanical flat tappet or roller,
then what rockers & shafts {even ratios}, push-rods, valve springs, retainers, locks, pump drive,
all should be addressed

what size cc ports & chambers ?,
what cfm are the heads ?,
have they been modified, ported, milled, at all ?,
if so, then what has been done ?
what induction & fuel system ?
what ignition system ?
among all the other parts, that you've addressed in your post,
like gears, transmission, car weight, tires etc.
{even cooling system/radiator & accessories, like a/c, power brakes, power steering, should be addressed also}
camshaft style & size, can & will effect vacuum

it's all valuable information for your specific needs & realistic expectations

If your a newbie to building engines...
I'd highly suggest buying some books 1st, on "How to Build Mopar Small Block",
read up, educate yourself & get some, much needed knowledge...

do it right the 1st time... it's cheaper & better in the long run, far less hassels

good luck

 

[Sebringcharlie]

Thank you guys. I really am starting from square one (read: I know where to check the oil!). I haven't set a budget for the engine, I'm just purchasing what needs to be purchased to get it running. I'm trying to work as economically as possible without getting into cheap crap parts.

I would like a fun street car: more than just a 'grocery getter' but less than a strip car. This is my dad's old car that was in sad shape when I inherited it. I'm doing a pretty thorough restoration on it, replacing a lot of body panels, full interior, etc. It had a 340 in it years ago, but didn't come with any engine, and the transmission was in the trunk.

The tires, the transmission (a used 727 that apparently has a 3500 stall on it), the gears, all haven't been modified/rebuilt/decided yet. The rear end gears in it currently, are set for highway driving.

The heads (I was told) have not been modified/ported/milled.

Aluminum rad with electric fan; power steering; currently 11" drum brakes

Budnicks, you have given me a lot of variables to think about. In fact, I am googling some of the terms you have used, and will look into the book you have suggested. :icon_redface:

 

[sleepar]

Search some old threads about 340 cars and look at a body's forum.... and then find what's available and make notes... build it on paper first, but... while that's going on you can have you're block checked and heads done.... it's a shuffle of what I have and what I want and what I can spend.... cams are cheap start out mild...