340 Questions - gonna have many for a while

PatrickJ

Member
Have removed the 340 without incident. Never have done a rebuild. Have many videos etc on Chevy 350 rebuild. Have not found a video or book on buick restorations.
Questions I have now.
1, What is the purpose of the damper and why only one?
2, Are there any known issues I should know related to costs, rare/hard to find parts.
3, Can I put a 400 from a 73 Pontiac into the car instead.

Hey, if you answer any of these, I thank you in advance.
Patrick
 

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2, Are there any known issues I should know related to costs, rare/hard to find parts.

most components/parts can be sourced from the Buick v6, 300, 350 or Rover v8 equivalents. the intake, you're stuck with.

for instance, the 350 and 340 use the same crank.

most headers designed for the Rover or 300 will bolt up, you'll just need to be careful about the taller deck on the 340.



3, Can I put a 400 from a 73 Pontiac into the car instead.

it will bolt up to the trans but i'm sure you'll need new engine pads/mounts and you'll have to change a lot of stuff around.

Buick starter is on the passenger side, where's the Poncho? that might actually cause an issue with the starter knockout in the bell.




Have not found a video or book on buick restorations.

http://www.paeenterprises.com/bookinfo.html
this book is primarily devoted to the 455 and v6 engines, but the build principles would apply to the 340.

a Rover v8 hot rodding book would also be helpful.

http://www.automachperf.com/350
 
In your first question, are you referring to the harmonic damper on the end of the crank? How many front ends does your crank have? Most engines only have one. Thus the need for only one damper. Harmonics from the rear of the crank are absorbed by the rest of the driveline, transmission etc.
 
340 on Craig's List if you need one!

I noticed you were located in Ocala; I am in West Melbourne Florida. I posted an ad which offered a complete drive train out of a 67 Buick Skylark so if you need another motor for your car check out my ad on Craig's List in the Space Coast area. I think you are about 4 hours from me because I just drove up to Gainesville last week for a militry tow bar. The ad provides my phone number and you can click on the blue hyperlink at the top of the ad to email me. Al Broadbent
 
Thanks

Saw your ad. Looks like the same engine and all. At present the one I have is froze and have taken out 3 pistons so far because I could get to those bolts. In your ad you said you did not know if your engine was free or frozen and you would be checking, have you, and is it free.
thanks for your reply too.
Patrick

I noticed you were located in Ocala; I am in West Melbourne Florida. I posted an ad which offered a complete drive train out of a 67 Buick Skylark so if you need another motor for your car check out my ad on Craig's List in the Space Coast area. I think you are about 4 hours from me because I just drove up to Gainesville last week for a militry tow bar. The ad provides my phone number and you can click on the blue hyperlink at the top of the ad to email me. Al Broadbent
 
Oops on me

I meant the damper on top of the valve train. It is in the photo I posted. But I did not know about the rest of the drive line. :jeez: Thanks for your reply.

In your first question, are you referring to the harmonic damper on the end of the crank? How many front ends does your crank have? Most engines only have one. Thus the need for only one damper. Harmonics from the rear of the crank are absorbed by the rest of the driveline, transmission etc.
 
Super, thanks,
I have bookmarked the rover site, wrote to the author of the book, his pay link was broken, number on the site was a fax. The book looked informative.
Thanks again for your reply. Today we got into this motor. Have to download the photos, I think that post will be kinda interesting. :laugh_4:

http://www.paeenterprises.com/bookinfo.html
this book is primarily devoted to the 455 and v6 engines, but the build principles would apply to the 340.

a Rover v8 hot rodding book would also be helpful.

http://www.automachperf.com/350
 
Photos

When we removed the heads, we found them filled with I think tranny fluid or marvel oil. No matter, it was there.
When we got the car, the plugs had been removed and were sitting on the air cleaner. This is why we did not even bother trying to start it. This whole deal is for me to do car stuff with my sons.
At any rate, we did manage to remove 3 pistons. Have not been able to get any tools on the other pistons yet. Have to get it rotated some first.
 
All righty then. Now I believe that you are referring to the little sheet metal shield over the rear two sets of rockers on the right hand side of the engine. If this is the case, that little shield is not a damper. It's purpose is to try and prevent any excess oil splash and vapors from going up the hole in the valve cover that is right above it. You only need one because thats the only spot that needs it. The oil fill cap is probably on the other side, but it seals tight when properly installed. The valve cover on the side with the shield uses it's hole for fresh air and should either have a breather or connect to the air filter assembly. On some engines the hole is used for the PCV valve but most Buicks have those in the intake manifold.
 
thanks

Sounds too simple, thanks makes sense now. I was looking at some mechanical function and wondering. I appreciate the reply and info.:shield:
Patrick
 
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