Direct Connection 340 block 1971
- Thread starter spikeyz0
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Are there any other stamping? MP #'s or DC #'s?
It appears to me to be a production replacement
block by your information. A picture of the valley
area would confirm that observation.
block by your information. A picture of the valley
area would confirm that observation.
Professor Fate
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Just like @GTX JOHN said, it appears to be regular production warranty block. Warranty blocks weren't stamped with any serial numbers.
Additional info (casting date, shift) is on the other side of the block.
specialty blocks usually had some kind of cast-in designator at the front and/or rear of the block, like this DC/MP "X" block:
Additional info (casting date, shift) is on the other side of the block.
specialty blocks usually had some kind of cast-in designator at the front and/or rear of the block, like this DC/MP "X" block:
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Pad below drivers side cylinder head on front of engine.
Professor Fate
Push the button, Max...
Early DC blocks were based on the T/A casting, and to the best of my knowledge had no outward identifiers except the T.A. in the casting number. Not positive on that, though- that was a long time ago...
autoxcuda
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By the casting numbers it’s a 340 block
It doesn’t have vin stamping so it’s some sort of over the counter warranty configuration, service configuration, or over the counter bare block.
Where did you get this Heavy Duty info?
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Locomotion
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TA blocks were the original HD/race blocks before X-blocks came out late in the '70's(?), around or after W-2 heads. However, Direct Connection did sell blocks through their program which may have been production blocks. But the only difference from the factory OEM blocks appears to be "stress relieved". It's been almost 50 years but I bought one through Massey Chrysler Plymouth on Beach St. in Daytona Beach, FL. (Note the prices!) However, I don't recall it having any TA or X-block features. Based on the catalog wording/descriptions, I would think the 340s were a factory blocks along with the others. I suppose that the OP may have one of these. But I can't think of a way to prove it without documentation, features or part numbers on the block. Either way, it would be another OEM part assigned a P-part number and sold by DC.
Same listing in 1977 but Nov. 1979 shows the "NEW" race block with 2 or 4 bolt mains and the rest of the blocks listed as "production".
Glidden probably got the first ones.
1976 catalog:
Same listing in 1977 but Nov. 1979 shows the "NEW" race block with 2 or 4 bolt mains and the rest of the blocks listed as "production".
Glidden probably got the first ones.
1976 catalog:
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There’s also a possibility that it could be a marine engine, too. Although rare, there were 340 “marine performance” engines.
Was that dealership once named Massey-Brooks ? If so that is where my 70 Charger was purchased new . Still have copies of the window sticker , order and bill of sale.
How much strength did stress relieving add ? And is it simply heat cycling?
The only reason I'm asking is because the original owner to my GTS dart that I just bought said that this block was a direct connection block he bought it in the seventies I have the original 340 block also but I really physically can't see any difference and I don't really know much about the direct connection blocks
Locomotion
Well-Known Member
I started visiting the dealership in the mid '70's. I don't know if it may have gone by a different name that I didn't notice at the time or before then. Beach Street address on your paperwork?
Yes, it's my understanding that "stress relieving" is basically heat cycling to minimize any distortion after final machining. I remember reading something a while back about racers looking for unadulterated high mileage blocks to build on.
VOETOM
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My block is one I bought from a salvage company, Consolidated International, in about 1981 or so. I also bought a lot of ring and pinions for 8 3/4" differentials. Cost $7.50 per set. Sadly, bought only a couple of 3.55 and mostly 276 and 2.94 and 3.23 as gas was so high.
The blocks came with cam bearings and freeze plugs and were standard bore. These cost $125 plus a few bucks shipping. It was much cheaper then to buy a new block and put the original parts back in it than it was to bore them and buy new pistons.
The blocks were marked like all other 340 blocks without any vin numbers.
The blocks came with cam bearings and freeze plugs and were standard bore. These cost $125 plus a few bucks shipping. It was much cheaper then to buy a new block and put the original parts back in it than it was to bore them and buy new pistons.
The blocks were marked like all other 340 blocks without any vin numbers.
autoxcuda
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That could be plausible. The block will dimensionally be the same as a stock block but would be stress relieved. I don’t think there’s anything appearance wise to show it was stress relieved at this point.
Maybe look for stampings under drivers side head and pan rail. Then really look at unassembled bare block with another next to it. And sonic test it.
At this point I don’t think it has any more value than a similarly sized/worn stock 340
Professor Fate
Push the button, Max...
Post an ad in the "Parts Wanted" section. It's free.
It's just an extended high temperature "casting bake" with incremental cool down simulate long term heat cycling (seasoning) of the castings. Some people claim that an X marker was used to identify parts that were designated for heat treatment at the foundry, but I've also seen in a thread on here where the X designation was used for separation of components on a line with similar parts being produced, i.e. 318 and 340 heads in late 1967 through 1970.
That’s why engines from motorhomes , cop cars , taxis and shuttle vans are supposed to good blocks. Long heat cycles.
Yes, well seasoned!
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