Chrysler's Unknown Race Weapon - The Ultimate 340 Is This Modified R Block From Mopar Performance

Ok, it's not unknown to hardcore Mopar racers. But it was certainly unknown to me when I tripped over this weird looking small block in a pile of parts ‪@rocketresto‬ dragged home. Since then I've gotten an education on the evolution of Chrysler's LA series small block long after the original performance variants had left the production line. So on today's episode, let's take a close look at this R block and see what there is to learn.

[@larryakre5942]

Just a little reminder that the 340's std. bore size was 4.040" Skål!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Well, I had to get something wrong 🤣

[@johnelliott7375]

Bravo ​@@DeadDodgeGarage

[@Anthony-nw5zv]

But it sure sounded good😊​@@DeadDodgeGarage

[@Bradydog-in7ut]

@@larryakre5942 He had me as fooled as much as those who bought his 1981 Dodge Mitsubishi videos! But like so many other examples in life, all crap must be flushed down the shitpipe.If your waiting for the engine rebuild on that one, please keep holding your breathe till it occurs….

[@dougkreutz7701]

Speaking like he knows it all and gets the bore size wrong right off the bat.

[@richardtomasek]

Way back in 1970, a childhood friend bought first car. It was a Swinger 340. His brother (another childhood friend) still owns that still gorgeous 340. As neither knew how to drive stick, I drove it home from the dealer. That car was incredibly fast. Turns out it had a special cam in it. There is a high performance 360 in it now, but the original 340 could be put back in. Fortunately for that car, both of the brothers are fabulous mechanics and has been in a heated garage virtually all its life. I forgot to add it was a medium blue with a white vinyl top. The vinyl top was removed a few years back and the car is now solid blue. What is hard to me to believe, we've known each other for 70 years. We were under 5 when we met.

[@bobbywalter5320]

awesomeness. 340 4 lyfe

[@jasonyoung5628]

What i like about the R block is that it is favored by pirates.

[@AsswipeGarage]

Arrrr arrr arrr 😂

[@burtbacarach5034]

boo

[@That_AMC_Guy]

Too bad a Pirates' favorite letter is actually the "C".

[@robertfitch1720]

@@That_AMC_Guy I thought it was R (rrrr)

[@SlaveFlynn]

Thought it was funny 😅

[@michaelnault5905]

Sounds like R is for Reach deep into your pockets. Some sophisticated engineering went into the old cast iron blocks for the factory racing programs. Pretty cool to have that block explained.

[@garymckee63]

I thought R was for Rich Man's block.

[@thereluctantgearhead4544]

I remember seeing a tube chassis 68 Roadrunner back in the mid 90s with a "318", but it wasn't a production based 318, dont think it even had 318 cubes, believe it was built on one of these R blocks, had a single 4-barrel 1050 Dominator on what appeared to be a highly modified Strip Dominator intake or something like it with spacers. Dont know what kind of heads it had on it, but there were B-1 decals on the car. And B-1 valvecovers. It was making well over 750+hp NA and turning upwards of 10,000rpm. Ran low 9.00s in the 1/4 at 150+mph. I was impressed and I'm a GM engine builder. Car looked mean as hell too, Dark Maroon with Cragar Supertricks, 15x3/15x15 combo. Sat like a Pro Stocker. Strut front suspension and narrowed DANA 60 on a 4-link out back. Car obviously didn't weigh shit. But it was a real steel Roadrunner body. That engine was something else. Definitely serious. Dont know the bore & stroke on it, but it had a bigger bore like 4.125 and a real short stroke Moldex crank. Believe dude said it was a NASCAR block, but built for drag racing. Only one I've ever seen up close and I've seen thousands of racing engines for over 50yrs.

[@jaymoe5.7]

those R blocks came in a variety of combinations, they were the successor of the "X" blocks which I believe came in two sizes, the 318 or the 340. The one you're talking about could very well have been an X block. But these R blocks came in multiple variations, and you could get them with either a 48 degree or 59 degree lifter angle. The most common of the blocks I believe is the R3 340 59 degree block, but Nascar R5's with the P7 heads pop up forsale fairly regularly. These blocks haven't been made in quite some time now, but there's new reproduction R3 blocks being made by Ritter racing. These engines have a ton of potential, there's a guy here on youtube named Brett Miller that builds some incredible small blocks! He regularly gets these engines to make over 1000hp N/A and turn over 9000rpm! Go check out his channel for some crazy small block Mopars haha.

[@randylear8264]

Very interesting. I’ll stick to my warmed over 340. I have had it since 80. Rebuilt it once and freshened it up twice. Runs great on 93 Oct. Thanks Jamie. Stay warm.

[@ricksaint2000]

The 340 Rules! thank you Jamie

[@Slamgod]

Had a 340 'Cuda once for an unfortunately short period of time. Six pack. PIstol grip. It was a dream come true till life went off a cliff. "Such is", as the saying goes. Good Gawd, that car was fast, and so much fun. Been a Mopar fan since i was a kid in the late 70's (79-80) and your channel is a real treat, Jamie. The stories, history and humor make for some awesome content. And I learn something every video!! Frickin' bonus!!!! Keep doing what you're doing, my friend. It makes the world more fun! Appreciate ya!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Ouch! Thank you!

[@marks8052]

@@Slamgod I second that .had the Dodge version of that AAR

[@vk2aafhamradio]

Thanks for this. I ran a 69 Dart Swinger 340 W2 at Indianapolis Rainway (no typo) Park in the early 80s. Carter AFB on it. Low 11s on disgustingly narrow slicks to fit under the completely inadequate rear fender tubs. Heaps of fun eating Muskrats and Cunmaros until the oil pump bit the big one.

[@BrandonLeeBrown]

The early W-2 heads were actually cast by Chrysler. Later ones were contracted out. I bought a pair of W-2 heads when they first came out. The long W-2 valves were extremely expensive, so I turned the rocker shaft pedestals 90 degrees, keeping the beveled corner in the same location by turning them around. I machined new bolt holes in the undrilled sides. This lowered the rocker shafts, so I could use standard length 340 valves, with the W-2 rocker shaft pedestals. I think the bottom bolt holes were maybe larger in diameter than the top bolt holes, but it's been a long time, so I'm not certain. Originally W-2 intake manifolds were made by Holley and were exclusively available through Direct Connection. I used the water heated Street intake manifold, on a 0.060" over pre-1975 360, for 371 cubic inches.

[@waiting4aliens]

the last of the 455s were undersquare in olds and pontiac. It's a good one to walk away from and an entertaining video. Thanks

[@codyhollinger6531]

I'm with you when things are over complicated they become less fun.

[@Bradydog-in7ut]

These engines were ment strictly for racing and not for public consumption.

[@daveclemons1225]

Great video Jamie, I have heard of those blocks before but did know all the little details you explained. I learned something new! Thank you, thats what it us all about. Best channel out there!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Thank you!

[@YODAMAN5]

AWESOME great info on the R Block......MOPAR 4 EVER.

[@TaylorJensen-ys2cv]

So being an R block and not an R1 , you have a block that is one of the ones casted for the 94 Nascar truck series , the 9.2 dh block was designed to use either 3.25 stroke ,6.125 c to c rods and stock 340 Pin height(.02 proud) or 3.31 stroke, 6.20 C to C rods and 1.34 Pin height, the best "roundy round combo was 4.04x3.48 gave you 357ci , use 6.25 rods and the piston pin height was 1.20/1.21 depending on W2 vs W5 head ..(you can use 59 Degree heads on the R block with the right lifters, Some offset left , some off set right, some center) my dad runs a R-block build in a 72 D100 4x2 , 4.10 bore 3.795 stroke, 400CI , rods are 6.25, Pistons have a 1.05 Pin height and were made by Gibtec , heads are W2 , with a spacer to take up the difference from head to Intake, intake manifold is the Mopar 420, Cam is 640/640 260/260@ .050 , 106 LSA , 720hp on Pump gas.....yes 93 oct , truck weighs 3350 race weight, and runs 9.90s low 10s at 138MPH , has a t56 in it and 4.88 gears.

[@johnkelly8525]

Great info mate thank you very much

[@richjordan9375]

I remember drooling over all that stuff in the Mopar Performance catalogs when they were available. But way way too much money. Of course I’ve been wishing to find a decent cheap 340 for the Challenger for nearly as many years and that hasn’t happened. Now, I’d be in your boat. I don’t want the fancy expensive racing stuff, but I still would choose a decent 340 over the more likely 360 I’m eventually going to settle for.

[@thomas5890]

I once saw a 340 Hemi at a drag race. It was a thing to behold. Dual 4 barrels but on one of those old school Mopar intakes, where each carb is set off to opposite corners of the engine bay.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

340…Hemi?

[@thomas5890]

@ I don’t know a lot about it. I was about 7 or 8 years old. But I made an impression on me that has last almost 40 years now. It may have been custom made I don’t know. Or they may have borrowed from a poly 318. The poly 318 is also a fun base for modifying. Much like the old wide block 318.

[@oldironguy]

​@thomas5890 The wide block 318 IS the Poly 318.

[@shaunclifton5281]

340 with the Edelbrock STR 12 intake ?

[@shaunclifton5281]

​@@DeadDodgeGaragesounds like the Edelbrock STR 12 intake threw him off ?

[@MoparJimmy]

This is a good video, the man with many engines.

[@raysmopar1]

You absolutely can use those W-2s on that block. The rockers will come just barely through the intake surface. There’s tons of pictures online look up 59° heads on a 48° block W fives and W-2s work great. Chevy rods work amazing 6 inch rods. If you need any parts for that, let me know. I have plenty.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I cut out the part where I explained that it COULD be done with a spacer and a bunch of creative grinding and welding. I don’t think any of that is worth the trouble.

[@d1mennis]

It's amazing the amount of knowledge you have that you can just look at things and know what does and doesn't work! I hope you get a buyer otherwise it's a mooring!

[@thebegrsshow]

If I'm not mistaken, that block was meant to be used as a 302 ci for IMSA/IROC racing. There was a special AAR head with W2 style oval ports. They turned 9200 all day long without complaining.

[@stevehicks8944]

IROC didn’t exist until the late 1970s. “E” body production ended in 1974. This is a product of Chrysler’s new emphasis on NASCAR in the 1990s.

[@edwardhegarty750]

More likely it was for Trans-Am racing. Keeping the big bore, big vales, and making the already short stroke even shorter for the 302 CID race engine makes sense. As does the revised lifter angle and improved geometry in the rest of the valvetrain. Trans-Am rules required every part used on the car to have a factory part number.

[@TheZl9000]

These heads suffered constant cracking in use and it's one of the reasons ford and GM mopped the floor with MoPar in Trans Am.

[@mrbizmarky1]

The AAR heads were not oval port. Not the production ones

[@allanperryman388]

Thanks for the lessons Mr Jamie. Now we know things.

[@jafeg]

Years ago in Akron Ohio there was a dude with a 340 that was a filled block nitrous motor from hell, experimental heads the whole 9 yards. 1 direct manifold kit,and 2 plates under each 800 carbs rumors had it the little Mazda truck was busting low 8's in the quarter in the late 1990's

[@johngault3973]

A friend had built a W2 340 for his Duster and participated in top end racing on I 96 in Michigan finally hitting 140 mph after the installation of the front spoiler and gave Jack Rouse in a Mustang II, a run for his money

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Wow…

[@javiermacias6307]

Thanks!

[@terryharrison8384]

With the r block you can use standard crank and rods but it dose use special pistons and you can get all the parts you need for it from competition products or summit racing but it will still need machine work not having main caps which can also be sourced from the names suppliers and comp makes cam shafts for the r blocks

[@erickvond6825]

I've only ever seen one of these blocks built out. It was magnificent...

[@idaholineman5788]

So cool! Looking forward to that someday build!! Mopar domination!

[@martind701]

Really enjoy your info videos Jamie.

[@bookofrevelation4924]

My friend in High School had early 70s Silver Challenger with 340 4 speed that could jump ahead of my 383 factory High Performance 4 speed, for almost a car length until I passed him at about 40 mph and jumped ahead by several car lengths and growing after around 100 mph. My 383 would bury the 150 speedo. My 318 in 69 Charger would top out around 110 with high rpm causing valves floating, like it's coughing.

[@knote4958]

Nice little understated legend. Nice to dream about dropping in something like a TA Challenger, but a NIGHTMARE to try to find the right top end parts for. I'll stick with the '72 340 core I got, cheaper to come by and barebones so I can go to a roller lifter conversion and a higher lift cam (yes I know some work will need to be done for the roller mod like machining for the lifter bore).

[@JamesCat-qx6sb]

I like the roller bearings in the cam tunnel.

[@PennyEmary-ug5vc]

The 340 was one of the only American v8s that you could only get in a performance car. Even the Hemi was offered in a 4 door in 66.

[@stevehicks8944]

Not true. The 413 and 426 high performance engines were available in four door sedans. The 421SD from Pontiac was available in ANY “B” body platform. The BBC ( 396 and 427) were available in four door sedans.

[@charlesangell_bulmtl]

@@stevehicks8944 oh ffs Norm Spalding hemi dart... 830hp 1968 DODGE HEMI DART GSS "MR. NORM'S"

[@duncanmacrae6384]

Another interesting, fact filled video, thanks!

[@jaycharger72]

A couple of 100 340s made it into some Australian Chargers , theres some real hot one's here in Australia

[@oligoon]

inlet ports on that W2 head are lovely shape - much better than my 4772576 heads which have the big valves (2.02/1.6) but the narrow ports (ok for my b250) - great vid tho - that R block will need all custom parts for sure but does look well sexy when all done tho

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

I had a 340 4spd Duster. It was a rock star on the street.

[@tommynoel9929]

Great video. And 340's and the Hanson twins rule.

[@0004612]

“Just puttin on the foil coach!”

[@Legacy_Lou]

Great info here about the R block. I love 340's 💪

[@hippylong]

Cool episode!

[@louislepage5111]

Thank you, learned something new today 😊

[@larryhutchens7593]

I saw one of these blocks at a machine shop I use. I was waiting for him to do some little job and roamed around looking at some of the strange engine blocks he had. I saw what I thought was an old Poly block 318 (the front of those R blocks looks similar) so I asked him what he was doing with the 318 poly. He informed me about what it was. Closer inspection revealed all the differences between that block & a typical LA block. And the strange engines he works on? A LaSalle V-8, Pontiac OHC inline 6 (mid 60s), a couple of Plymouth flathead 6 engines one of which was so old that the lower cylinder outline could be seen on the lower part of the block. One of them had a cylinder liner mishap (cracked the block when installing the liner) and he said that he had a fix all figured out. Then there was the motorcycle cylinder heads he was working on. Ancient & I can't remember what he said they were for. Looked like something out of the 30s. Always something interesting going on. Now about the lifter angle on the LA engines. The 273, 318, 340, 360 engine block design started way back in 1956 with the Plymouth Polysphere head 277 engine. It was developed first as a 277 then 303 then 318 then as a 326 (one year for Dodge) and dropped in 1966 when the LA engine came about. They basically designed a wedge cylinder head for the 318 poly. That original 277 poly shouldn't be confused with the Dodge/ DeSoto poly engines, completely different critters with few internal dimensions being the same. Those engines ranged in size from 270 to 325 ci. The poly 318 & the LA 318 block designs are the same, some bore, same stroke, same crank dimensions, same rod dimensions, same oiling holes for the rockers. Differences: Cylinder head locating pins are in different locations & the poly block has oil drainback holes at the rear of the block. Great video on the r block, I had no idea about the differences.Thanks.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Sorry, but the lineage of the “Plymouth” V8 - the “A” engine that ultimately ended up at 318 CI, eventually used across the board at Chrysler, and replaced by the 318 LA - begins with the DeSoto Hemi in 1952. There was no “DeSoto” Poly in the mid 50s like Dodge and Chrysler had, and DeSoto and Dodge Hemis are different designs with different dimensions. Although the two are by no means the same, the bottom end of the *short deck* DeSoto Hemi formed the basis of the A series, which in turn formed the basis of the LA series. Compare the valley area of an LA to a DeSoto Hemi. The castings are almost identical, except for the large oval holes opened in the cam tunnel of the later block. They have the same reinforcing stands at the front and rear. They have the same shape at the front passenger corner of the valley. They have similar oil drain openings, with a couple extra in the DeSoto. And they have nearly identical lifter bores - although the flat areas with small holes were omitted from the casting. When I say that the lifter angle originates with the DeSoto Hemi, this is what I mean. It is the oldest ancestor of this engine. Also, I am *well* versed in the similarities and differences between the Poly/A engine and the LA. I have dedicated a good bit of screen time to discussing them over the years. Thanks!

[@larryhutchens7593]

@@DeadDodgeGarage Technically all the engines with the dist in the rear are referred to as A engines by Chrysler, at least some of their manuals use that term. And they never used the term hemi or polysphere in Chrysler manuals, they were referred to as double rocker shaft engines & single rocker shaft engines. And the similarities between the poly 318 & La 318? I have a 318 poly that I rebuilt using LA timing chain, oil pump, crankshaft & rods. The reason for using the LA cast crank: I couldn't find anyone locally who would rebuild the rods with the full floating pins. Race shops would but kinda spendy. I wasn't aware that DeSoto only had the hemi, it must have been Chryslers that I saw with them way back when.

[@larryhutchens7593]

@@DeadDodgeGarage Sorry, I'm gonna stick with the 277 Plymouth theory. The DeSoto specs don't match much of anything with the 318. Block is shorter (4.3125 for the 341 vs 4.5 for the 318 bore center) , 341 is nearly square B vs S, 318 is over square. Crankshaft rod diameters different. As for the lifters I know that the 325 Dodge uses the same diameter as the 318 poly & the 318 LA. I'm in the process of converting my poly engine to hyd, I still need to change the oil groove for them to work. And the 57 DeSoto used the 325 dodge poly engine called the Firesweep. I thought I had seen a couple of those things in salvage yards way back when they were still around. I have rebuilt both the Dodge 270 & 325 engines. On the 325 I converted a poly engine to hemi using a set of D-500 solid lifter heads. Easy to do with the right parts. Dodge & DeSoto both started out with a small bore engine, raised the block to increase stroke & ended up with a very small bore engine that limited the valve size. If you want to believe the DeSoto thing that's OK but I'm going another direction.

[@DPWheeler67]

Great video! I have no use for this over complicated engine either, good luck rehoming it

[@bigwrenchtech]

I just got off work! What a treat to watch😂

[@joshjesch6000]

It truly is an awesome treat!

[@davidwickboldt712]

I have zero nada zilch interest in Mopar. But I had to watch because of your announcer voice and clean delivery.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Thanks! Much appreciated. Not sure where my announcer voice came from really. And not everyone appreciates it - but here we are.

[@CHOCO-CARS]

Hello ! And thanks for all your amazing videos. i'm from France and i currently work on mopar, love them. One project with a barracuda 66 what i want to push to the limits for racing it. So this video is very cool for me thanks for that. I'm also working on two new yorker from 75 and 76 with the 440. I want to rebuild the 76 with old muscle 440 compression ratio. But i need to learn a lot, so its why i'm asking you here. Can you help me with your knowledge ? I know its maybe impossible for you to help everyone, and completely understand it. Your videos help me a lot already. Keep going. You are a inspiration for me. Regards, Eliott.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

All you really need to make that late 440 awesome is a set of good aftermarket pistons that are taller to raise the compression ratio, a cam and lifters, and matched valve springs. You can take that much farther with porting, upgrading intake and carb, headers, and more if you’d like. I built a spankin’ 440 a while back and did a couple videos on it. But JustMoparJoe has lots of great big block Mopar builds on his channel, so I highly recommend you check him out if you haven’t yet.

[@CHOCO-CARS]

@@DeadDodgeGarageWhat a fast answer. Amazing. I'm already looking that way and i look for pistons and rod from 70 commando specs. Already have a cam install with lifter and spring in a kit (vs430) from melling. I will check for all of that you say, thanks a lot. I'm really enjoy it. My english isn't so good so it's not easy for me to found exactly what i want to know. You just help me a lot. Merci.

[@ssnerd583]

Did a stroker 318 many years ago.....goal was to make everybody who LOOKED at it think it was just a 318 with a 4bbl intake/carb and headers......it usually worked until it made way too much power for a 318.....lol anyway....in a Dart it was a lot of fun until it got stolen one very strange evening and ended up completely destroyed at the bottom of a ravine....that car was FAST.....and i miss it to this day.

[@billyeichler176]

Jamie I loved the 340 as I know you do they were bad ass

[@mickgibson370]

I had a 1970 Roadrunner. It was a state patrol car! It had a 3 speed transmission, coils around the shocks, 318 engine, two barrel carb, and 2.96 rear end. I got it because cylinder 7 had a burn exhaust valve! No dill spots on the ceiling! I went in and did 3 angles on the valves and put it back together! About 6 months, I went did a 340 torker, 625 carter carb, even headers, twin exhaust, 4 speed, and retimed the distributor. The torker had 1/4 inch bigger on one side of the intake. It was powerful! It could on a stop, in 4 gear, to speeds greater than 147 mph. I got 16 mpg with the 2 barrel, and got 34 mpg with a 4 barrel! It went 296 miles and came back with 3 mountain ranges and there was a 1/4 of a tank remaining! It had a 6000 rpm and the valves floated at 6500. I drag raced it and got 124 MPH at 13.3 and never put it into 4 gear! It was kind of slow getting started, but a 3000 RPM it took off!

[@zerogmopars746]

Madcap Racing Engines should be able to help with information. I recall seeing several of those short deck height blocks at there shop back when the NASCAR truck series was popular.

[@stevehicks8944]

Consider this: Bob Glidden was producing over 700hp in 1979 with a 340 based Pro Stock engine WITHOUT the R block.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Hell yeah

[@TaylorJensen-ys2cv]

Glidden used X blocks for his Prostock 314/331Ci w2 headed MONSTERS estimated HP was around 800 Dragboss has a great Video on it....For a Ford Guy. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4SpaayYdseWY9k

[@mostlymoparih5682]

Technical term = Eyecrometer Two whole beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun. Oops I mean two whole new heads, special timing cover, rods, rockers, rocker shafts, intake manifold on a low R marked block. What do ya think of that Church Lady. Well, isn't that special? Good video. Happy Motoring

[@LSSindustries]

Excellent information as always

[@TheBeachedone]

Thanks you answered semi hemi and wide block for me !

[@steveweiman4708]

Coolest paperweight in the shop!

[@Matt-e4x]

Keep it, and use it in your race car. Would make for a great series, and would widen your audience.

[@dantupper1784]

If you were building that block- 'you might notice a few changes if I had crazy money to burn...". Good walk around.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Exactly. Haha.

[@RecklessEnterainment]

I believe Chrysler built a lot of these for the Petty truck team’s racing program in the 90’s. I think the R blocks come in a 9.0, 9.2 and 9.6” deck heights and in 48 and 59 degree tappet. These engines were also used in the IROC series Dodge Daytona’s and Avengers.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Right, I read about the Petty connection earlier. While I knew the Daytona became the IROC car after the Camaro, I had to do some research and see what those were like. In the beginning at least, they were using the similar X block, at 355 CI. Looking at these sweet machines, I’m disappointed we didn’t have comparable road going cars - even with mild Magnum V8s, we’d be having a hell of a time building them now.

[@RecklessEnterainment]

@ I always thought it was unfortunate Dodge never had any newer V8 performance cars up until all the Hemi stuff. There are definitely some cool race engines derived off the LA platform. Brett Miller is probably one of the more well known builders for these engines.

[@justinweidenbach3699]

So rare that it's priceless and worthless at the same time. It happens. UTG brought me here. Good stuff.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Thanks!

[@daltonsparks1293]

When I first saw the title I just seen "Chrysler's unknown race engine" I thought Jaime had found a ball stud hemi!

[@billleith7110]

I helped my friend pull his 1970 Duster 340, had it bored balanced and heads ported & polished, 310 degree crane cam, Edelbrock intake holley 650 dbl pump carb hooker headers dual point distributor eaay pushin 400 HP. she was faster than 440s she was a Corvette killer. Eventually sold as he got married n bought an olds Cutlass in 1977 😢

[@raysmopar1]

When that block was first designed, it actually had a cam core, which was standard cam journals with 48° lobes as time went on. They became hard to find so people board out the cam journals.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

“People?” Or… Chrysler

[@raysmopar1]

@@DeadDodgeGarage machine shops

[@beljames1563]

I remember hearing about this stuff. But I had no idea it was so different. Interesting.

[@joelmurphy7980]

The cool thing about the basic small block architecture is that there is enough room in the bottom to make it a 440. {4.125" stroke with a 400 Chevy sized piston =439 ci} The downside is that there isn't enough room between the pushrods for port volume to decently feed it, plus cyl wall thickness to fit the Chevy piston. With the right R block as a basis a small block 440 would be a hoot on Saturday night and the vast majority of off branders wouldn't know the difference. "It's just a little 318 stroked to 390 with deccnt heads...... but it goes ok I guess. The small bore kinda limits the valve size."

[@raysmopar1]

You absolutely can use those W-2s on that block. The rockers will come just barely through the intake surface. There’s tons of pictures online look up 59° heads on a 48° block W fives and W-2s work great.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I responded to this but I guess it disappeared. Anyway, I mentioned that a spacer and a ridiculous amount of work could make it happen, but cut it in the edit. Given the existence of the W7-9 heads, I don’t think that’s worth considering.

[@SuperCommando60]

back in the 70's I had a '68 barracuda with the special 4sp 340...what a beast. so much fun. i recall a bad dieseling after shutting off, but other than that it was a sweet engine.

[@carlcarlamos9055]

Platinum tip plugs cured the dieseling. Take care.

[@klapaucius77]

I hadn't heard of one of these before. I'd love to see somebody else build one, I don't ever want to touch one though!

[@michaelblaszkiewicz7283]

I had a 70 dart swinger. I always wanted to drop in a 340, but only could find boat anchors.

[@herbferguson]

On Engine Builder Channel there's a video about 2 months ago labeled Small Block Mopar Engine where Ken Lazzeri goes over how they build these engine packages with blocks like this.

[@davidortiz173]

That was a great video!

[@brentambrose7036]

Great video D D G ! !! I learn something new every day and thanks to you I learned a lot of extra stuff today so thanks again D D G

[@countswing284]

Very cool find. Hope you can find a good home for it. Building a Magnum 360 is just so much cheaper. Cheers! 😎👍🏎🏁🏁

[@drtb69]

great vid.! Thank you.. this 340in otherwords is a Dodge Hodge Podge of special expensive obsolete race parts that are obsolete by modern standards ... no thanks I will stick to 360 mopars and take the extra cubes and more modern power for the win.

[@44hawk28]

I put together a couple of those engines back in the day and if I remember correctly that heavy webbing and the four bolt Mains were for the Cuda and Challenger T/A's

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

This is essentially a much later descendent of that TA block.

[@cavscout62]

The 340, when properly built was a great street engine in a light car. It was no BOSS but it was a sweet when applied properly.

[@ludedude5228]

The Mopar X Block is the one to get even better then these R blocks It was properly cured and seasoned from the factory The dash 3 forged truck crankshaft also is the best crank they made for the small bock on

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Hip to the truck crank deal. Nice.

[@ThisValiantAdventure]

Very cool stuff!

[@carebear2272]

Jamie has I think a 400 cold block, do a video on that! I want that block, but I’m broke now from finishing on my charger. You will see it one day I hope, just keep it out of the grass field out back lol 😝

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I have a what now? I don’t own any 400s and I’m not familiar with a “cold block.”

[@carebear2272]

Oops, apologies I thought you had one. I read about the early 400 being a cold block, I don’t know why? there casting are suppose to be thicker and heavy duty everywhere more than that later 400 blocks so they can take a lot of abuse so they were used for drag motors or something. One guy made a video about them.

[@Poppinwheeeeellllllieeeeez]

I am sure you could sell the block and make some coin. Move it out. Space is freedom. Projects just sitting is maddening. Sell them off. You should do a video of spreading the fresh load of gravel when it shows up. I am sort of looking forward to it.

[@JoeFilardi]

hi Jamie good ep.

[@noberet]

That block would make a totally awesome coffee table.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Dude! Why didn’t I think of that?

[@alexhofmann8958]

Good conversation piece for sure​@@DeadDodgeGarage

[@ToddWright2]

Brett Miller is the guy to ask about bits to fit your block. Shame about the missing caps.

[@Patrick-xd8jv]

I’m fairly sure that they came from the MP with a 3.91 bore. I also think that you could get the factory and straight lifter bores. I looked into getting one in the early 90’s when I was racing a H/SA 340 Demon, but they were heavier than a stock block that was filled with hard block

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yes, as I understand, there are smaller bore versions. Believe this one is stock 340 bore, but didn’t have a way to verify that handy. And I fully expected this shorter block to be lighter, until I noticed all of that extra beef! They’re seriously chunky.

[@stevetaylor9265]

4.04

[@Patrick-xd8jv]

@ not when I was looking at them. They were made so you could build a 318. I actually talked with McCormick when they first came out.

[@SimpsonsSpeedShop]

Good vid bud! You got lots right in the vid for sure, I was lucky to get a complete r3w8 motor last year. If you want more info I did a vid on the full deal it’s on my channel.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Nice! Very cool.

[@snoman003]

Get hold of "Uncle Tony's garage", he is an encyclopedia of all things mopar. This engine would be right up his alley...

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I’m guessing you haven’t been around my channel too long, haha. I’ve been in a bunch of lives with Uncle Tony, and drove to Tennessee to lose a drag race to him.

[@OlderNotNecesarilyWiser]

That's interesting, never heard of that one.

[@ronaldrey8474]

Speaking of lifters... WoW the lifter diameter seems huge for small block. SBC background here. Ty

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yes, Chrysler used a much bigger lifter. .904 I believe. That’s part of the reason why cam/lifter problems have always been more prevalent in the Chevy. And apparently the bigger diameter can be beneficial for more aggressive cam profiles.

[@ronaldrey8474]

@DeadDodgeGarage ty for replying. I know what ur referring with Chevy but didn't know the diameter for Mopar was so huge. AMAZING !

[@jaxon.frandrup]

I love videos like this! keep dropping knowledge, im new to classic mopars and love learning about this stuff! Thanks Jamie 🫡

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Happy to do it! Thanks!

[@timgagel5697]

How do you have such knowledge at your young age. Did you graduate MIT, is NASA leaving you voicemails? I don't have a clue what you are talking about but I like every video you post. It was the 80s charger that got me.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I graduated high school, barely. NASA hasn’t found my number yet - and if they did, well, I’m really not big on voicemail. I was gifted with certain talents and I threw myself (and them) at these cars. The more I build, the more I learn, the better I get. But thank you. Haha.

[@JwCagle]

Good video

[@44070Swinger]

It's a bad day for that R block when building a 426 Hemi is considered "cheaper" to build. God I never thought I'd be sayin that..... but here we are!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That’s what I’m saying! 😅

[@bartdaw6681]

I have to say, you know your stuff.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Thanks!

[@phillipgarrow2297]

I put one of them in a 1/2 powerwagon with dual quad sit up it was a lot of fun but it sure tore up the truck

[@kriseckhardt5148]

My 'Cuda 340 was a weapon! 4:10 rear end gears wow!

[@timmcooper294]

Very cool and interesting piece, even if it's totally impractical to actually use it. The oddball cam and the lack of main caps are fairly easy to deal with but what the heck were they thinking with the lower deck?? (I know it's probably trimming weight, and the fact that the pistons for this thing had the wrist pins up into the oil ring land) but it doesn't seem worth it, even for bucks up race stuff. Nice A833 parts boxes there !

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

The lowered deck height moves the different angle lifters inside the perimeter of the cylinder head. It does make some sense.

[@timmcooper294]

@@DeadDodgeGarage Very good point. I do find it so strange how Chrysler justified keeping the wide lifter angle on the "all new" LA series when the 273 intro'd. I guess they were thinking at some point in the future another hemi version. Too bad the "ball stud" hemi didn't see production. I remember reading a magazine article on those engines back in the 1980's, and feeling cheated out of so much wrecking yard goodness that could have been !!

[@chrisgurney2467]

Hockey is a game? I thought it was a brawl on ice XD

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Right, it’s a fight on ice skates, and occasionally a game breaks out 😅

[@tirbomax]

one of those valves at the 3:40 marks looks like the keeps are not seated in the retainer very well compared to the others...could just be me.

[@congerthomas1812]

Neet, I'm easy going a 360 do about the same stock. Same with everything a stock 440 smokes most $$ small blocks, especially on time ran.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

A stock 440 smokes built small blocks? I’m gonna have to disagree there brother. But the 440 is a great engine.

[@congerthomas1812]

@DeadDodgeGarage I grew up with 440s and gravel roads.Power to weight is king, The tighter you wind a spring,the shorter it's life. I can't afford to drive anything that's not Mopar. At 58 I won't run out of what I have. After the 59 imperial, I'm gonna get back into the Duranged, 413 roller,3500 flat line.

[@davidlobaugh4490]

Uncle Tony (s garage) probably knows all about it, might want it too.🤠

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I don’t think he likes weird expensive stuff 😅

[@chazdad]

@@DeadDodgeGarage He may not like them, but I bet he knows about them.

[@oldhifi8820]

In 1970 one of the carhops at the drive I was a cook at (think American Graffiti) bought a new Duster 349 sixpack, 4 spd, Lime Grren paint, black interior and all the rest, but no post. She took 3 of us for a ride after work. From a stop with 4 people in the car with less 2000 miles on it she dumps the clutch and stands on it, the car going sideways down the street One of the idiots in the back seat stars screaming "let me out". She liked cars, she later had a Datsun "Fairlady" and a Camaro.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

My only problem with this is that there were no 340 six packs in any A-body, and all Dusters have the same post and pop out rear windows. Otherwise… sounds right. 340s are awesome.