Moparts
Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies
Posted By: ProSport
Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/10/10 10:20 PM
What is the deal with the H-code 340 A-bodies? I've been told they come with Kelsey Hayes 4 piston brakes, disc on the front and drums in the rear.
Some have 3.91 gears with a posi, high performance exhaust manifolds.
What else do they normally have? How much horsepower? Are they fairly rare? I'm looking at a 70 Dart model.
Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/10/10 10:29 PM
1970 340 A-body cars came standard with front disc brakes, drums in the rear. All 340 Exhaust manifolds were the same in each year for the model application (all A-body 70 340's were the same). 3.91, 3.55, & 3.23 gears were available, suregrip (Posi) was also vailable as an option.
Posted By: justinp61
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/10/10 10:36 PM
The H just means it's a 340 car, you could get whatever options you wanted with it. I had a 72 340 Duster, pretty basic car, manual drums all around bench seat, non rally dash, power steering, air conditioning, 3.55 open rear.
Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/10/10 10:42 PM
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The H just means it's a 340 car, you could get whatever options you wanted with it. I had a 72 340 Duster, pretty basic car, manual drums all around bench seat, non rally dash, power steering, air conditioning, 3.55 open rear.
Yes, H does mean it's a 340 car, the 5th digit in the VIN only represents the engine the car was originally equipped with, however, disc brakes were not standard equipment on 340 cars after 1970.
Posted By: ProSport
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/10/10 11:16 PM
Ok so the H-code just means it's a 340 and doesn't make it rare or anything.
What about the Kelsey Hayes disc brakes, did all 1970 340 cars come with the 'Kelsey' brakes? Are they anything special?
Posted By: Moparnut426
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/10/10 11:21 PM
Id still call it rare if its in one piece, and all there. Those cars have been beaten to death since their creation. So finding a "survivor" would be rare indeed.
Kasey
Posted By: B3422W5
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/10/10 11:26 PM
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Ok so the H-code just means it's a 340 and doesn't make it rare or anything.
What about the Kelsey Hayes disc brakes, did all 1970 340 cars come with the 'Kelsey' brakes? Are they anything special?
Yes, they came standard on 70 340 cars. my duster had them, they drag,i replaced them with race brakes long time ago.
Posted By: deaks
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 12:18 AM
Did you save much weight, sorry to hijack prosport, only i've got KH discs on my 69 and may replace them for wilwood.
Mick
Posted By: ProSport
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 06:09 AM
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Did you save much weight, sorry to hijack prosport, only i've got KH discs on my 69 and may replace them for wilwood.
Mick
No problem, just make sure the Wilwood fit your application as far as spindles and stuff. When I got my Dart the front wheels were sticking out past the fenders 
, tires were getting shredded and everything. I switched to a different offset front wheel and the narrowest tire made, 26" Hoosier, and still had to trim the fender lip.
I've heard the Aerospace brakes are tucked under the car better. 
Posted By: ProSport
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 06:10 AM
Did these 340 disc brake cars normally come with the 4.5" bolt pattern instead of the 4"?
Posted By: 8secDart
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 06:13 AM
No,72 back all had small bolt pattern.
Posted By: ProSport
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 06:22 AM
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No,73 back all had small bolt pattern.
Ouch, that just destroyed my wheel selection. 
So, what all is needed to convert the front disc brakes to 4.5" bolt pattern?
Posted By: dennismopar73
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 06:26 AM
i own a 73 gold duster
6 cy has 4.5 bolt with disc
factory
bought 2 others both large bolt
with disc
sold one that was small drum up front
all 340 cars
Posted By: 8secDart
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 06:40 AM
OK pre 73 is small bolt pattern.
All you need is the upper control arm, the spindle and brake parts.Not a big deal.
Posted By: 70AARcuda
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 06:41 AM
my 73 340 duster came with 4.5 bolt pattern ...disc in front..drum in rear...
Posted By: 8secDart
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 06:46 AM
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OK pre 73 is small bolt pattern.
All you need is the upper control arm, the spindle and brake parts.Not a big deal.
All the f-body stuff will work.Around here it is still easy to come by.I think I have 2 or 3 Dusters still at the shop with the stuff on them.Let me know if I can help.
Posted By: Dave Watt
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 03:12 PM
Power front disc brakes (not 4-piston) were standard on all '73 Duster 340's. Big bolt pattern all the way around.
Posted By: Hot 340
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 03:28 PM
I think Moser can convert the K-H rotor/hubs over to a 4.5 pattern.
Posted By: B3422W5
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 03:47 PM
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No,73 back all had small bolt pattern.
Ouch, that just destroyed my wheel selection.
So, what all is needed to convert the front disc brakes to 4.5" bolt pattern?
I originally just sent my stuff down to Moser and had them redrill to 4.5 bolt pattern, it was cheap and never an issue...ran the car like that for years before installing Aerospace brakes on it during that period when Vic had it.
Posted By: ProSport
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 03:50 PM
Quote:
I think Moser can convert the K-H rotor/hubs over to a 4.5 pattern.
I'll look into that.
Thanks for the info guys, and Lenny I'll get ahold of you if I need some brake parts.
Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 04:53 PM
Before you pay to have them re-drilled you should consider saving them or selling them, they bring decent money used from the restoration crowd, but not if they've been modified. The later style BBP's were used for many years and are quite cheap/common.
Posted By: Hot 340
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 05:29 PM
Quote:
Before you pay to have them re-drilled you should consider saving them or selling them, they bring decent money used from the restoration crowd, but not if they've been modified. The later style BBP's were used for many years and are quite cheap/common.
Aaaaahhh, dont worry bout them guys, they're weird to start with. Those have a lighter rotor that makes them not a bad choice for racing as far as stock parts go. Little on the expensive side to rebuild tho.
Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 05:44 PM
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Aaaaahhh, dont worry bout them guys, they're weird to start with.
Really? I think "Weird" better applies to the guy building a race car from a rare and valuable original 340 car which would detract from it's originallity value, rather than choosing a lower end (cheaper and lighter) /6 car to build which wouldn't hurt it's value a bit (not too mention it's a slightly lighter car, better for racing). It's not just about value either, I hate to see a performance classic sacrificed to the racing gods, but that's a personal thing. But hey, I guess it doesn't matter, not my car.
Posted By: moparniac
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 05:58 PM
I think the H code 340 cars have the round gauges also as opposed to the square box speedometer style right?
Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 06:00 PM
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I think the H code 340 cars have the round gauges also as opposed to the square box speedometer style right?
Correct, the round style in that 1970 Dart are called "Rallye" gauges, and only came in 340 cars. The other "square" style are standard gauges that all the other models had.
Posted By: JohnRR
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 06:04 PM
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Aaaaahhh, dont worry bout them guys, they're weird to start with.
Really? I think "Weird" better applies to the guy building a race car from a rare and valuable original 340 car which would detract from it's originallity value, rather than choosing a lower end (cheaper and lighter) /6 car to build which wouldn't hurt it's value a bit (not too mention it's a slightly lighter car, better for racing). It's not just about value either, I hate to see a performance classic sacrificed to the racing gods, but that's a personal thing. But hey, I guess it doesn't matter, not my car.
What about a guy that cuts up and builds a race car from an original 440 A body?
Scott, not everyone has their head rammed up their ... wallet ...
Maybe the :crybaby: purists should start ponying up to buyall these rare and valuable cars, as they call them , so they can be saved the way they think is proper.
Posted By: dbran451
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 06:04 PM
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Aaaaahhh, dont worry bout them guys, they're weird to start with.
Really? I think "Weird" better applies to the guy building a race car from a rare and valuable original 340 car which would detract from it's originallity value, rather than choosing a lower end (cheaper and lighter) /6 car to build which wouldn't hurt it's value a bit (not too mention it's a slightly lighter car, better for racing). It's not just about value either, I hate to see a performance classic sacrificed to the racing gods, but that's a personal thing. But hey, I guess it doesn't matter, not my car.
Some of us did it when these were $500 beaters this use to be a 340 swinger now its a money pit 
Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 06:06 PM
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Some of us did it when these were $500 beaters this use to be a 340 swinger now its a money pit
Understood, been there done that. Just don't see much sense in doing it these days.
Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 06:11 PM
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What about a guy that cuts up and builds a race car from an original 440 A body?
Scott, not everyone has their head rammed up their ... wallet ...
Maybe the :crybaby: purists should start ponying up to buyall these rare and valuable cars, as they call them , so they can be saved the way they think is proper.
Pretty selective reading you are doing there, value was one point I made but I guess you missed my other (very valid and non subjective) reasons for not cutting up an original? Actually I hear allot more "racers" lashing out at "purists" with the mere suggestion of not cutting up an original car than the opposite. Who's REALLY doing the crying here? Keep in mind that while I center on restoring cars these days I've also owned a fair number of race cars in the past, and although most on this forum consider me as such, I don't consider myself a "purist", I like them all.
As far as cutting up the original 440 A-body? It depends on the example. Generally speaking not something I'd do or suggest (assuming it's a solid complete car to begin with), now If it were a rusty turd missing all but an original VIN tag it probably wouldn't make much difference, it's all but junk allready.
Posted By: justinp61
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 07:30 PM
Quote:
I think the H code 340 cars have the round gauges also as opposed to the square box speedometer style right?
Not in 72.
Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 07:37 PM
Right, there were no Rallye gauges offered in A-body cars after 1971.
Posted By: ProSport
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 09:29 PM
The one I'm looking at has the rallye dash. The car is NICE, already been restored. I want to do some small things to it but it will not be a race car, so saving the stock pieces is fine with me even though I've never cared about that stuff.
I'd like to find someone that makes a polished torque thrust-2 wheel in a 4" bolt pattern, or I may have to get some different front brakes.
What was the HP rating for a 70 H-code 340 auto Dart?
This would actually make a great car for the FAST class but it wouldn't be very quick.
Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 09:48 PM
factory rating was 275HP in 1970. Sounds like it would make a better Pure Stock car than a FAST car. The 71 and later TQ equipped 340's have an edge over the 70 AVS equipped 340's when running in the FAST ranks.
Posted By: ademon
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 10:11 PM
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The one I'm looking at has the rallye dash. The car is NICE, already been restored. I want to do some small things to it but it will not be a race car, so saving the stock pieces is fine with me even though I've never cared about that stuff.
I'd like to find someone that makes a polished torque thrust-2 wheel in a 4" bolt pattern, or I may have to get some different front brakes.
What was the HP rating for a 70 H-code 340 auto Dart?
This would actually make a great car for the FAST class but it wouldn't be very quick.
Buy it and do some mods that can be changed back to stock, They are fun to drive, stick in a 400+hp motor, hi stall, some drag radial and have a blast.
.jpg "6351523-demonnew013(640x427).jpg")
Posted By: ademon
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 10:15 PM
Don't be afraid to add stuff on, Its getting boring to see so many bone stock mopars
.jpg "6351535-demonnew001(640x427).jpg")
Posted By: deaks
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 10:41 PM
I dont know about the US but A bodies fetch very little money in England compared to B or E cars.
A restored 340 GTS is worth between a 1/3 to 1/2 the value of a Charger R/T or similar Challenger.
A shame really because my car is an original GTS.
Posted By: Hot 340
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 10:48 PM
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I'd like to find someone that makes a polished torque thrust-2 wheel in a 4" bolt pattern, or I may have to get some different front brakes.
Good question and Ive wondered about it. Also wonder if wheel companies would make them special without charging a whole bunch. Most cases would be a simple change in numbers on the cnc program.
Posted By: Chris2581
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 11:04 PM
Coy's Wheels makes 4"BP torque thrust type wheels.
www.coyswheel.com
Posted By: ProSport
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/11/10 11:12 PM
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Coy's Wheels makes 4"BP torque thrust type wheels.
www.coyswheel.com
Thanks! Looks like www.newstalgiawheels.com also makes custom wheels.
Posted By: jinxy
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/12/10 05:16 PM
This is an original 340 Dart with factory front disk brakes. These Centerlines are small bolt pattern front and rear.
Posted By: jinxy
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/12/10 05:21 PM
I recently added a dark green 5-point roll bar after a lot of years of running without one. I kept the stock interior with factory bench seat. Someday maybe f/sa.
Posted By: jinxy
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/12/10 05:23 PM
picture of bar
Posted By: ProSport
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/12/10 05:26 PM
That is a gorgeous dart!^^^^
Posted By: JohnRR
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/12/10 08:11 PM
What are your CRAZY , sell that to someone who will treat it right ....
Posted By: W5Duster436
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/12/10 08:44 PM
I just did the EXACT same thing with my original 70 340 4spd duster. However, I put pinned side bars on mine to ease getting in/out.
Now gotta get the carpet installed and the headrests put on. I think I am gonna get the camlock belts.
I had to lose the armrests though.
Quote:
picture of bar
Posted By: W5Duster436
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/12/10 08:52 PM
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Before you pay to have them re-drilled you should consider saving them or selling them, they bring decent money used from the restoration crowd, but not if they've been modified. The later style BBP's were used for many years and are quite cheap/common.
Scott send some resto guys my way.. lol
I had a complete 70 k-frame for sale and couldn't move it at all. I finally took Rob's advice and tore it down and sold the LCA's but still have the k-frame and spindles etc. I am gonna keep the k-frame but still have the extra set of spindles for sale. 
Posted By: Thread Ender1
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/12/10 10:37 PM
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I just did the EXACT same thing with my original 70 340 4spd duster. However, I put pinned side bars on mine to ease getting in/out.
Now gotta get the carpet installed and the headrests put on. I think I am gonna get the camlock belts.
I had to lose the armrests though.
Quote:
picture of bar
Me too, but......
.jpg "6353629-Picture074(Large).jpg")
Posted By: Thread Ender1
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/12/10 10:40 PM
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Quote:
I just did the EXACT same thing with my original 70 340 4spd duster. However, I put pinned side bars on mine to ease getting in/out.
Now gotta get the carpet installed and the headrests put on. I think I am gonna get the camlock belts.
I had to lose the armrests though.
Quote:
picture of bar
Me too, but......
Iv'e decided to make it stock as possible, so out with the bar.
.JPG "6353634-DSCN1791(Large).JPG")
Posted By: RobX4406
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/12/10 10:48 PM
Posted By: Chris2581
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/13/10 02:17 AM
Yeah,but since this car (original 340 4-speed car) was a rolling shell we got for $60 back in 1980....
Posted By: dbran451
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/13/10 02:06 PM
Hey Bob does this mean you have the 69 sold ???
Posted By: JohnRR
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/13/10 03:07 PM
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Yeah,but since this car (original 340 4-speed car) was a rolling shell we got for $60 back in 1980....
That's no excuse ...
Posted By: Chris2581
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/13/10 08:44 PM
No excuse for what?? Back then,these cars were a dime a dozen to be found.
Posted By: JohnRR
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/13/10 09:48 PM
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No excuse for what?? Back then,these cars were a dime a dozen to be found.
\
<<< see this ?
It was a JOKE
Posted By: ProSport
Re: Need info on H-code 340 A-bodies - 12/14/10 12:58 AM
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Hey Bob does this mean you have the 69 sold ???
No, this is a very bad time to sell a car, especially with the holiday season. But I have several incredible trade offers I'm looking at. I get bored every few years and desire new scenery in the garage. A fully restored H-code 340 Dart is one of the offers, I was finally ready to pull the trigger on the deal Saturday til I ran across 2 more options. I really wanted to get away from racing for a few years to concentrate on my son's sports but I really like these 2 cars. 
