340 rebuild

[GSDrew]

I'm about ready to tear down a running, but tierd, 340. Seeing that this engine is new to me... Is there anything I should pay attention to and watch for? What about the re-assembly... anything I should be extra careful with?... other than the obvious stuff.

Any suggestions on a cam? I'm not going to race this car but I would like it to have a noticable idle.

BTW... I have assembled a SBC, a couple inline 4s but never an Buick.

Thanks,
-Drew

[bob k. mando]

Buicks like very tight bearing tolerances. typically .002" / 2 thousandths or less.

we also normally open up the oiling passages a bit. most of these links are for the big block design but they should give you a general idea of what you want to accomplish with the small block:
http://www.trishieldperf.com/455_block_mods.htm
http://www.buickperformance.com/OilingMods.htm
http://www.buickperformance.com/oilpumpwear.htm
http://www.buickperformance.com/oilflow.htm
http://www.buickperformance.com/Oilmods.htm
http://www.automachperf.com/350.html <<<< this would apply specifically to your small block

don't bother with a hi vol/hi press oil pump. you can shim a stock Buick pump over 100psi.

www.taperformance.com has most any part you might need that is available for these engines.

[GSDrew]

Why is the cam bearing oiling source changed from the original position to the 3 Oclock on the 350 and would the 340 also need this mod?
Thanks,
-Drew

[bob k. mando]

Why is the cam bearing oiling source changed from the original position to the 3 Oclock on the 350

so that oil is being added just before the part of the cam rotation which is affected most by the pressure applied by the push rods.

grooved and teflon coated bearing from TA are also not a bad idea here.




and would the 340 also need this mod?

yes, this part of the 340 is functionally ( though not dimensionally ) the same as the 350.

hmmm. TA might not have the grooved bearings for the earlier engines:
http://taperformance.com/accessor2.htm

[GSDrew]

Should a second hole be added to the bearing or should the bearing be simply reposition to the new hole?
Are there any other oiling improvement modificatiions advised/needed on the 340?
Thanks,
-Drew

[troys67skylark]

G'day out there. Would you please take some pic's of your progress for me as i have been thinking of re-building the same motor. And the info will be kept for referance. Thank's fellas TROY