Crankshaft selection for a small block mopar 340

James L Miller · 08-26-2014, 07:45 PM

It depends on the power and rpm level you will be running. On the low end, there are the factory cast nodular iron cranks, factory steel cranks (340 and also 318 and 273), then the aftermarket cranks, forged and billet. The factory forged 273 and 318 cranks don't have the holes drilled in the end rod journals like the 340 crank does. They had lighter rods and pistons, so I guess they left out drilling out the crank. I have a 1967 273 crank out of my Dart. They have a smaller torque converter register on the flange. So, if you go with a stock forged crank, I'd stick with 1968 and later if you are running an automatic.

08-26-2014, 07:45 PM	#2
James L Miller Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 494 Likes: 6 Liked 25 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Crankshaft selection for a small block mopar 340 It depends on the power and rpm level you will be running. On the low end, there are the factory cast nodular iron cranks, factory steel cranks (340 and also 318 and 273), then the aftermarket cranks, forged and billet. The factory forged 273 and 318 cranks don't have the holes drilled in the end rod journals like the 340 crank does. They had lighter rods and pistons, so I guess they left out drilling out the crank. I have a 1967 273 crank out of my Dart. They have a smaller torque converter register on the flange. So, if you go with a stock forged crank, I'd stick with 1968 and later if you are running an automatic. __________________ Mopar 2 Ya!