Stock Stroke 340 Build with NC Engine Builder

Fast forward to this fall and I decided I needed the engine ready for when the bodywork is hopefully done this summer. I had picked up a spare 340 block but the main caps didn’t match so needs line bored. I was thinking I would rebuild the original 340 mostly stock and play with it for a while, and have the extra block line bored and prepped for a stroker kit when the funds would allow the kit and appropriate heads. After the trouble with the first shop, I couldn’t find anyone nearby that would/could line bore and hone with a torque plate for a Mopar. I’ve been impressed with the work that NC Engine Builder had discussed over the years so I decided to contact him and see what we could do. We had a phone conversation around Thanksgiving and I would be able to drop off the week before Christmas as we have family we visit regularly in Florida. We came to an agreement on my expectations and his responsibility and the task was set. The detour to Concord, NC from Milwaukee only added about an hour to the first leg of the trip. As I gathered all the crap I’d collected for the build, which I had every intention of doing myself, I realized my current budget wasn’t going to allow the second block to go along. I filled half the bed on my Ram truck with the engine and all the extra and duplicate parts I had, just in case something was needed and I wouldn’t have to ship it. Included were the 71 block, lightly used ProMaxx 171 heads, original pistons/rods, set of NOS +.030” L2316 forged pistons on stock rods, original crank which I realized was a 318, spare 340 forged crank I picked up, used custom Comp SFT cam I picked up on FABO, new Comp SFT lifters, PRW 1.6 rockers I had gone through and measured for B3 shim kit on the ProMaxx heads, Mopar M1 intake, Eddy RPM AirGap intake, SpeedMaster head studs and damper, new water pump, Kevco 7 qt pan, Hooker 1 ¾” headers, some gaskets and other crap. Trip was uneventful and met with Shawn on Sunday morning and unloaded most of the stuff I had brought. Discussed the build and away we went to Florida. I had decided to let Shawn do the full monty, machine and assembly rather than assemble it myself. I need to focus on the other stuff and I felt confident that he would do a good job.

Over the next couple weeks, Shawn got into the pile of stuff and started on the block. I started looking into sourcing a solid roller cam that would be appropriate for my intended use and complimentary to the head flow. I sent out five RFQs looking for something with a solid low-mid range and about .600-.625” lift so we could use the valves I have but change springs. I had decided to get a little more aggressive with the 340 build than originally intended and not spending on the second block freed some funds for the roller, supposedly.