Back in early/mid ‘80’s, I replaced the 318 2-bbl in my ’67 Satellite (about a 4,000 pound or 1,820 KG car, or about the same as a M-body) with a stock 340. I reused the stock A727 from behind the 318. The 340 transmission will allow engine to rev higher between gears before shifting, so I had to do a lot of manual shifting to keep engine up in the higher RPM range. The car also had 3.23 gear ratio.
I had little problem with the changeover – after I found the correct kickdown linkage and correct left mount. Everything else carried over from the existing 318, including the A/C compressor and the super heavy crank pulley (with rubber insert) from the 318. ’67 318’s was the first year of the LA design.
Things I would have done differently, now:
I love the 340’s and they are a great engine. With the 360’s out there, the twenty extra cubes are worth the effort to use.
A stroker kit to even get more inches out of your engine is better – if you can afford it.
3.23 gears are the highest I would use. 3.55’s or lower would be MUCH better. I wish I had changed gears to 3.55's, way back then.
Get the governor set out of a 340 A727 (or another performance A727) or police governor set out of a A999 - so transmission will allow the extra revs automatically (sic).
There is nothing wrong with 340 or 360 cylinder heads – but they just don’t cut the cake compared to the Magnum style heads when it comes to air flow.
So, if I was going to install or build a performance small block, I would find a 360 truck Magnum engine. Maybe install a stroker kit into it (if within your budget), get a car 360 car oil pan and use that for my engine. I might want to reinstall the ’70-92 LA style timing cover so all external engine parts will attach – but there is nothing wrong with using the Magnum timing cover, so you can use the serpentine belt system.
A person has all kinds of options – but I would still change your differential gear ratio FIRST and go from there.
BudW
I had little problem with the changeover – after I found the correct kickdown linkage and correct left mount. Everything else carried over from the existing 318, including the A/C compressor and the super heavy crank pulley (with rubber insert) from the 318. ’67 318’s was the first year of the LA design.
Things I would have done differently, now:
I love the 340’s and they are a great engine. With the 360’s out there, the twenty extra cubes are worth the effort to use.
A stroker kit to even get more inches out of your engine is better – if you can afford it.
3.23 gears are the highest I would use. 3.55’s or lower would be MUCH better. I wish I had changed gears to 3.55's, way back then.
Get the governor set out of a 340 A727 (or another performance A727) or police governor set out of a A999 - so transmission will allow the extra revs automatically (sic).
There is nothing wrong with 340 or 360 cylinder heads – but they just don’t cut the cake compared to the Magnum style heads when it comes to air flow.
So, if I was going to install or build a performance small block, I would find a 360 truck Magnum engine. Maybe install a stroker kit into it (if within your budget), get a car 360 car oil pan and use that for my engine. I might want to reinstall the ’70-92 LA style timing cover so all external engine parts will attach – but there is nothing wrong with using the Magnum timing cover, so you can use the serpentine belt system.
A person has all kinds of options – but I would still change your differential gear ratio FIRST and go from there.
BudW