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1972 340 stock motor

Posted By: deaks

1972 340 stock motor - 03/09/19 08:55 AM

From what i've read, the 72 340 motor had the comp dropped 2 points, the 1.88 valve heads and is rated at 240 net HP, which, when converted, is not very far behind the 71. Has anyone on here had, or has a 72 340 A body and what sort of performance should i expect in comparison to the earlier motor ?
Mick
Posted By: 1DGEMAN

Re: 1972 340 stock motor - 03/09/19 09:40 AM

Back in 72 when I first ran NHRA stock eliminator I had a 71 Duster 340 4sp it set the record in E/S at 11.97 at 112.92 it weighed 3290. in 73 I bought a 72 Demon it set the record in H/S at 11.96 at 113.35 it weighed 3380. Both of these engines had the same technology in them at the time. The compression was not a big deal and the 1.88 intake didn't hurt it either. With the gas we have today the 72 with iron heads works just fine.
Posted By: GODSCOUNTRY340

Re: 1972 340 stock motor - 03/09/19 02:01 PM

This is my real world experience. In 1979 I had an original '69 340 Swinger with the 10.5 engine. I added a cheap JC Whitney .500/300 hyd. cam, headers, 3500 B&M Super Holeshot converter, 513 gears, Holley 800 spread bore carb (with adapter), X heads. The Dart ran a best of 12.88 @ 112 mph. I blew that 340 up, found a '72 short block and put the cam, distributor, X heads, headers, carb & intake from the blown up 340 on it. The best that engine would do was 13.44 @ 108mph.

Attached picture 106_3641.JPG
Posted By: pittsburghracer

Re: 1972 340 stock motor - 03/09/19 02:47 PM

Sorry I had a 1972, 340, 4 speed and it was fun but wasn't what I wanted so I modified it. It was kinda cool hearing the thermaquad opening up but the fun was short lived. I made it even more FUN.

Attached picture My old Duster at Keystone 001.jpg
Attached picture my first duster 001.jpg
Posted By: deaks

Re: 1972 340 stock motor - 03/09/19 02:55 PM

My race car was originally a factory 340 4 speed, i'm looking at a matching numbers 72 A body, would like to think it would turn at least high 14's without pulling the engine apart.
Posted By: pittsburghracer

Re: 1972 340 stock motor - 03/09/19 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by deaks
My race car was originally a factory 340 4 speed, i'm looking at a matching numbers 72 A body, would like to think it would turn at least high 14's without pulling the engine apart.



For sure. And 13's with a GOOD tune and some track testing.
Posted By: deaks

Re: 1972 340 stock motor - 03/09/19 04:53 PM

Setting the car up won't be a problem, i'd be happy with mid low 14's if it's stock.
Posted By: SpeedThrills

Re: 1972 340 stock motor - 03/11/19 02:33 AM

I had a stock 72 340 Demon in the mid 80's. Auto and 3.23 gears. Thee only thing I did to it was curve the distributor, loosen the secondary flap a bit, and shim the valve springs so that I could shift it at 6000. It had soft compound M/T G60-14's, always hooked. It went through in 2nd gear, about 6000 rpm's, depending on the air. It went a best of 14.75 in great air, and a worst of 15.25 in, well, the worst air. Bracket raced the s*** out of that car for about 3 years.
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