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Get out of it's own way - 340 RR #771352
08/11/10 12:54 PM
08/11/10 12:54 PM
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beentheredonethat
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AverageJoe Offline OP
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I have a 70 340 Swinger - but couldn't pass a deal on a 73 Roadrunner - all original 340 car, bone stock except for an Edelbrock 750. Being heavier - and "neutered" in 73 - it's a dog compared to the Dart. I would do a 440 swap, but it's a 95,000 mile original so .... what can I do to get the best bang for the buck (has a sure grip, haven't figured the gear out yet as it just arrived Sunday). I have a Comp 268 left over I could stick in (?), any decent combo's would be appreciated, just want a little respect, not over the top. Thanks.

Re: Get out of it's own way - 340 RR [Re: AverageJoe] #771353
08/11/10 01:29 PM
08/11/10 01:29 PM
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471Magnum Offline
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Probably the best thing to do would be to install a 2500-2800 converter.

Give it a good performance tune-up. Recurve the distributor with a lighter spring.

I'm in the process of waking up a 72 340 RR, so I know where you're coming from.


-Jim

I can fix it... my old man is a television repairman.
He's got the ultimate set of tools... I can fix it.

Currently Mopar-less
Re: Get out of it's own way - 340 RR [Re: 471Magnum] #771354
08/11/10 01:59 PM
08/11/10 01:59 PM
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beentheredonethat
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AverageJoe Offline OP
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The only thing in the trunk of this car was the trim ..... and a torque convertor. Owner knew nothing about the car's history so I'm wondering if the convertor may have been swapped at some point. Obviously going to take more research on my end.

Re: Get out of it's own way - 340 RR [Re: AverageJoe] #771355
08/11/10 02:15 PM
08/11/10 02:15 PM
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Atlanta Indiana
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Dave Watt Offline
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Keep in mind this is a low compression 340 and will not run like your '70 340. Try driving the Road Runner with the air cleaner off, my 340 Duster wouldn't run with it in place and a Holley carb.

Re: Get out of it's own way - 340 RR [Re: AverageJoe] #771356
08/11/10 02:31 PM
08/11/10 02:31 PM
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Brookeville, Md
Mr.Yuck Offline
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I've never seen a SB in a B-body that impressed me. That said it is an original 340 car, tune it as best you can. It will never feel anything close to a 340 A body or a BB B-body. Then if you do drop in a 440 wrap the 340 in a bag and put it in a safe and dry place.


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Re: Get out of it's own way - 340 RR [Re: Mr.Yuck] #771357
08/11/10 03:09 PM
08/11/10 03:09 PM
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Put in Comp 268 a good set of headers and a LD 340 intake or equiv. get the dist set to near as can 44 total depends on actual comp you may only get42total run a 650 Dbl pumper or 750dbl pumper jet the 650 67-74 + or minus 2 jet sizes depending on temp The 750 is a little more finicky as it is too big for that enginein that size car Would work great in your Dart. Use 71 and 77 rear jets there agan only +1 jet size or so to temp and run a 31 squirter in the frt and 28 back. Keep it at 180 and run at least a 3.55 gear or short tires with a 3.23 and you will have a low to mid 14 sec car that will run on mid regular

Re: Get out of it's own way - 340 RR [Re: Paul_Fancsali] #771358
08/11/10 09:52 PM
08/11/10 09:52 PM
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North Florida
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RebelDart Offline
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I have a 670 Avenger and the Comp 268 and an Airgap - just need to know best way to get compression up .....

Re: Get out of it's own way - 340 RR [Re: RebelDart] #771359
08/12/10 09:49 AM
08/12/10 09:49 AM
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beentheredonethat
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AverageJoe Offline OP
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Swap pistons ?

Re: Get out of it's own way - 340 RR [Re: AverageJoe] #771360
08/12/10 10:09 AM
08/12/10 10:09 AM
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W. Kentucky
justinp61 Offline
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My nephew has a 74 RR that has a 340 in it, his is a steel crank 10-1 motor, small cam and it's still a dog. A 4" crank and some head work will wake it up though. If it were mine it would have a 440 in it, B bodies are supposed to have big blocks .

Re: Get out of it's own way - 340 RR [Re: justinp61] #771361
08/12/10 06:57 PM
08/12/10 06:57 PM
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Manitoba, Canada
DaytonaTurbo Offline
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Gear and converter would be the best bang for your buck in getting performance up. Beyond that I'd be looking at doing headers, cam, intake and then just driving it. A low CR 340 in a heavy 73 RR isn't going to be a ground pounder. Probably your best bet would be to keep the car stock and just use it for tooling around town or cruising on the highway. Sure you can do gears, converter, cam, intake, headers but you're still not going to have that potent of a package. Build your Dart for performance instead.

Re: Get out of it's own way - 340 RR [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #771362
08/12/10 07:20 PM
08/12/10 07:20 PM
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N.Wilkesboro,NC
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DusterKrazy Offline
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The road runner isn't gonna run like the Dart. The road runner probably weighs 500 pounds more.

Stall converter, headers and adjust the timing.
It does have potential

Just my opinion...but ditch the Edelbrock 750 and get a Holley 650.

Last edited by DusterKrazy; 08/12/10 07:22 PM.
Re: Get out of it's own way - 340 RR [Re: DusterKrazy] #771363
08/12/10 08:34 PM
08/12/10 08:34 PM
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dulcich Offline
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My 71 340 Satellite eats 440 B-body cars for lunch
-dulcich

Re: Get out of it's own way - 340 RR [Re: AverageJoe] #771364
08/12/10 09:47 PM
08/12/10 09:47 PM
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Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1 Offline
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Quote:

Swap pistons ?




That's what I was gonna say.
That's the only way to get the performance any where near a 70-71 340. I have had both and there no replacement for compression if you ask me.

Re: Get out of it's own way - 340 RR [Re: dulcich] #771365
08/12/10 10:08 PM
08/12/10 10:08 PM
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Beaverton, OR, USA
Alikazam Offline
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Quote:

My 71 340 Satellite eats 440 B-body cars for lunch
-dulcich




I kinda know the feeling... taken a few B-body Big Block cars out with the van even NA vs. with the nitrous. :P

I agree that a piston swap and thin head gasket would be the way to go to get the comp. up and make that thing a runner. the Comp XE268 cam is a good choice as well with the components you have. Free up the exhaust too with headers!

Re: Get out of it's own way - 340 RR [Re: AverageJoe] #771366
08/12/10 10:19 PM
08/12/10 10:19 PM
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Manitoba, Canada
DaytonaTurbo Offline
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Quote:

Swap pistons ?




You make it sound so cheap and easy. It is not.

Re: Get out of it's own way - 340 RR [Re: DaytonaTurbo] #771367
08/12/10 10:23 PM
08/12/10 10:23 PM
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Cincinnati, Ohio
Challenger 1 Offline
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Arn't KB 243 pistons like 240 bucks? That's cheap for pistons if that's right. I bought a set a while back, ordered standard bore, took like 4 weeks to get em. I guess no one asks for standard anymore.
There in my black 74 and has about 10K miles on them now, the car runs great. Driven it all over the country, hi and low.


Re: Get out of it's own way - 340 RR [Re: AverageJoe] #771368
08/12/10 11:00 PM
08/12/10 11:00 PM
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Chilliwack B.C. Canada
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RUNCHARGER Offline
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Something must be wrong. I always ran and hid from 340 B-bodies when I was driving my six pack and four barrel 440 cars. Oh yeah, something must be wrong.

Sheldon

Re: Get out of it's own way - 340 RR [Re: Challenger 1] #771369
08/13/10 12:01 AM
08/13/10 12:01 AM
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Manitoba, Canada
DaytonaTurbo Offline
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Quote:

Arn't KB 243 pistons like 240 bucks? That's cheap for pistons if that's right.




I agree there's nothing better than having the proper compression for your application, however to change pistons the budget goes up quickly. Bore/hone, then of course you will want to take a look at the crank, new bearings, recondition rods, probably some block milling while you are there. Then you're not going to bolt some old heads back on so you're spending $ on going through them, new valve springs/seals at a minimum, etc. I didn't get the feeling the OP wanted to go overboard...

Re: Get out of it's own way - 340 RR [Re: dulcich] #771370
08/13/10 09:28 AM
08/13/10 09:28 AM
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Brookeville, Md
Mr.Yuck Offline
Not enough dumb comments...yet
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Quote:

My 71 340 Satellite eats 440 B-body cars for lunch
-dulcich




yeah but if a BB guy did as much engine work as you did he could spot you 2 lights and take you by a 1/2 car. Apples and Oranges


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Re: Get out of it's own way - 340 RR [Re: Mr.Yuck] #771371
08/13/10 09:51 AM
08/13/10 09:51 AM
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Chicken coop
dustergirl340 Offline
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Key word is "IF"...I don't care what your engine COULD do, I'm interested in what it does RIGHT NOW.

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