Rebuilding a 340

IRISHFASTBACK I agree, freshen the original engine and store it away. Put together a stout 360. You will have more performance and will not cost any more to build. Good standard building practices and paying attention to detail. Pick up a mid 70's 360, it will have the crank rods and heads you will need. Square up the decks, .030 over, hyper pistons, shoot for 9.5-10.0 C.R., file to fit rings, resize the rods (ARP bolts), check out the short duration/hi lift hyd, cams Hughes and Comp offers. Shoot for .500 lift as installed, Mopar's old .484 gives .501 lift @ the valve (installed) with 1.6 rockers. Adjustable rockers with 1.6 ratio (cost same), Pressure check and mag the heads. Clean up mill cut , Good bowl port and gasket match, back cut the valves, Air Gap, 750 carb (I like vac sec's on the street). headers, and a good exhaust system (2.5"), your 3.55's are ok 3.91's would be better. 12's should be easy for this combo in an 'A' body. Good luck on your project. Terry.