gunmetal72
Life is a dark ride
OK, this might cause some controversy. I was speaking with a guy who has at one time or another, owned every mopar muscle car ever made and looking around his yard I believe him He really is a wealth of knowledge and told me some facts that I am sure many are not aware of and may not believe.
Here is some background. I was telling him of my 340 twister I had back in High school. It was a 340 4 speed car with the twister hood, twister decals & 340 decals on the 1/4's. It was an early model 72 with a date code of Oct. 71. When I rebuild the engine in 1978 I noticed the date on the engine said April of 71. I did not think that much about it at the time but when I was restoring the Duster I have now I learned allot of things I did not know back then. I was told the twister did not come with a 340 engine.
After I told the guy about the Duster I had in high school, he said it was very possible I had a 340 twister with the 275 HP engine. He told me that when Chrysler de-tuned the engines in 72 they still had high compression engines in stock they were planning to use in their 72 models. So, because of the US government put an end to our beloved high compression engines, most of these engines were used for warranty on the 71 and earlier models and the lions share were big block motors that were used for warranty engines. Because the 340 engine did not require as many warranty replacements, they had many 275 HP engines not needed for warranty.
This is what I did not know. The lower compression or de-tuned engines was compulsory for 1972 model cars in the US but Canada did not follow the same rules until 73. Many of the high compression engines Chrysler had left over from 71, were sent to Canada. He said he knew that at least 50 of the 275 HP 340 engines were sent to western Canadian dealerships. He also went on to say that the twister package with 340 engine was also only available in Canada in 71 & 72 but they were mostly 72 models. We all know mother Chrysler did some strange things but what he told me I did not know and knowing this, really should not surprise me.
Has anyone else ever heard this?
Here is some background. I was telling him of my 340 twister I had back in High school. It was a 340 4 speed car with the twister hood, twister decals & 340 decals on the 1/4's. It was an early model 72 with a date code of Oct. 71. When I rebuild the engine in 1978 I noticed the date on the engine said April of 71. I did not think that much about it at the time but when I was restoring the Duster I have now I learned allot of things I did not know back then. I was told the twister did not come with a 340 engine.
After I told the guy about the Duster I had in high school, he said it was very possible I had a 340 twister with the 275 HP engine. He told me that when Chrysler de-tuned the engines in 72 they still had high compression engines in stock they were planning to use in their 72 models. So, because of the US government put an end to our beloved high compression engines, most of these engines were used for warranty on the 71 and earlier models and the lions share were big block motors that were used for warranty engines. Because the 340 engine did not require as many warranty replacements, they had many 275 HP engines not needed for warranty.
This is what I did not know. The lower compression or de-tuned engines was compulsory for 1972 model cars in the US but Canada did not follow the same rules until 73. Many of the high compression engines Chrysler had left over from 71, were sent to Canada. He said he knew that at least 50 of the 275 HP 340 engines were sent to western Canadian dealerships. He also went on to say that the twister package with 340 engine was also only available in Canada in 71 & 72 but they were mostly 72 models. We all know mother Chrysler did some strange things but what he told me I did not know and knowing this, really should not surprise me.
Has anyone else ever heard this?