Crankshaft

On the 70/71- 340 engine, what is considered better, the steel crank or the forged crank?

340 up to middle of 1972 used a forged steel crankshaft. After , they use a cast iron crank.

Thank You sir.

philcollins wrote:340 up to middle of 1972 used a forged steel crankshaft. After , they use a cast iron crank.

cast steel not cast iron big difference .

The casting date on my engine is 6/15/71.
So what should it have ?

Forged steel. Do you have the harmonic damper?

philcollins wrote:Forged steel. Do you have the harmonic damper?

Yes I do have it.

What's the part number on it?

This is the only number that I could find. 83184-319-1

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/threads/mopar-340-harmonic-balancer.363362/

should be for a 340 forged crank.

smoken340 wrote:The casting date on my engine is 6/15/71.
So what should it have ?

this engine would be used in a 72 model year car .

crankycrow wrote:

smoken340 wrote:The casting date on my engine is 6/15/71.
So what should it have ?

this engine would be used in a 72 model year car .

To my understanding, because it was cast mid year 1971, then it would have the most desirable crank, Forged Steel.

Exactly, the cut-off date to cast crank is around april 1972.

if you have a good pic of the crank and throws I can tell you if it is forged or not .

crankycrow wrote:if you have a good pic of the crank and throws I can tell you if it is forged or not .

Oil pan is off the engine, but the crank is still installed, including all pistons. So I don't know if a picture like that would be helpful or not.

smoken340 wrote:

crankycrow wrote:if you have a good pic of the crank and throws I can tell you if it is forged or not .

Oil pan is off the engine, but the crank is still installed, including all pistons. So I don't know if a picture like that would be helpful or not.

worth a try .

I'll get one tomorrow