Hello all, I have a 66 lark 340 4bbl. The engine is strong, has good compression and looks to have been rebuilt at least once in it's life. I am planning on doing a 455 swap somewhere down the road but have a lot of other work to do on the car before I tackle that. I have done the usual tune up stuff, plugs, wires, points etc. I was wondering what I could do to perk this engine up a little and have some fun until the 455 goes in? It still has the single exhaust on it complete with rusty pipes and a muffler with a large hole in it. I am planning on going for duals with 2 chamber flowmasters. Is there a good pipe size that will work for both the 340 and the 455 so I don't have to swap the whole system out when I change engines? Or should I keep the current single exhaust configuration and just replace the muffler and bad section of tailpipe? The thing sounds embarassing the way it is. Headers? Anyone make a set for the 340? Ignition upgrades? Hei, do away with the points? Aftermarket spark box (crane HI-6 or something similar)? I know the Crane box and coil worked wonders in my Toyota 4x4. The carb on this car is a leaky, crusty mess. Should I rebuild or buy something aftermarket? If aftermarket, any recomendations as far as manufacturer and cfm? I know this engine with these external mods won't get me into the 12s or anything. Thats why the 455 will go in there someday. I just want my musclecar to have a little muscle in the interm. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks
No one likes my little engine I guess o No: C'mon guys, someone has to have some opinions..... Please :grin:
Unfortunately, there isn't much for the 340 because of it's short production history. I would just fix the muffler for now if you have plans for a 455 in the future. The stuff that was out there and available is long gone. I have a 67 with a 340 and if that ever goes, it's getting a 455 and some of TA's slick new aluminum heads. :grin:
My 340 has an Edelbrock 600 cfm carb, MSD 6A, MSD billet distributor, MSD coil, MSD spark wires, and K&N filter. Runs very strong. Heads have never been off. Has single pipe. Will have duals made up soon. Uses small pipes, 2 - 2.25". Don't think the dual exhaust setup will also fit a 455. I think it has plenty of power, epecially with the 4-speed trans.
340 buick i have a 67 lark with a 340 and there is really very little out ther for it i have been looking for headers for about 4 years now but if ur wanting to speend some money thorlly headers will custom build some tuned headers for u at about 3000$ yellowlark where did u find the msd billet distributer? i have not been able to find one of those ither
I got the MSD billet distributor in March, 2001 through a local speed shop. It was a special order and I had to wait about two months until another batch of them was made. But, it is a listed stock number in MSD's catalog and fits the 300/340/350 Buick V-8's. It was also difficult to get the optional HEI style cap for it. That also took months.
You could go with 2.5" exaust and still use it on the 455 later. Other then the simple bolt ons that everyone else has told you I dont think there is much more you can do without opening up the 340. so save that money for the 455. You'll be glad you saved it for those heads,cam, or wahtever else you plan to get for the 455. Hope this helped you out. Doug
Thanks guys. I think I am just going to rebuild/replace the carb and put a dual exhaust on. I may also have a 200r4 built (if one will handle a mild 455) and call it good for now as far as the drivetrain. After the body and other issues are squared away I will start building a 455 to go in there. I was just hoping that in the interm I could make sure I wouldn't get embarrassed by any hondas. My car stock supposedly runs mid 16s. :boring: Once all is said and done I hope to shave 4-5 seconds off that. I want a 12 second G machine and I won't stop until I have it :grin:
