A 4bbl 318 is the answer to the question nobody asked.
In 1968-69, the years of the Hurst Hemi Super Stocks are 440 M Code cars, there were six other engines available on Darts. That was probably too many as the big blocks went away for 1970. Yes, the 318s outsold the 340. So they should spend money engineering a new 4bbl 318 to make less money on each than a 340? Day one of business school they teach don't cut your own throat, which is exactly what the 318 4bbl would have done. I mean we're talking about adding an 8th engine to the entry level lineup of economy cars to lower revenue.