1972 yellow Road Runner headed for the crusher

[E86 GTX]

Thanks Ben,
I found their number on the internet, so I will give them a ring tomorrow. It will be a shame if they refuse to sell it.
Thanks,
Scott.

Ask For Jim...... Let me know how it went.
Your Friend Ben

[Tom]

I did not ask how much they wanted for the whole car or if they would sell it whole. Most of the U pull its that I have dealt with simply will not sell whole cars. As sad of shape it is in, I was not interested in dragging it back to the Atlanta area, even if it was free.

Those few pics make the car look way better than it is. I looked it over for about 5 minutes, looking for something I might be able to use on one of my Chargers, shrugged...and said to my son "stick a fork in it..... it's done".

[sdweatherman]

I called Barry's U Pull It, and talked to Jim. He has set the car aside for another week because someone might be interested in the roof. He was sticking to the policy of not selling the whole car. I didn't want to waste his time, so I just requested that he consider ebay or craigslist as an alternative to crushing. Maybe Ben or someone else can work on him a little more. Maybe if there is enough interest, he might change his mind. We need to be careful though. If we bug him about selling the car, then he finally submits, someone will have to pony up or he will be very annoyed. I am interested at the right price, but would have to somehow get the car off the lot and up to western KY. Ben, if myself, or another one of our nest members can save this car, do you have the ability/resources to remove it from the junkyard and store it - or know of somebody that can remove/store it - until shipping arrangements can be made? If we are to save this car, it will have to be a team effort. Thanks, Scott.

[E86 GTX]

I do have a trailer and am willing to hall it to my house until arrangements can be made for shipping. I may have to sleep in it for a while when my wife sees it but it would be worth it. I do not have the recourses to load or unload as it has no wheels. Jim could load it I am sure. If you would like I will call Jim and tell him I am no longer interested in the roof if he will sell the car to you.

Thanks again: Your Friend Ben

[71bird]

Just like to remind everyone of a savable 71 SSSP in Tennessee. Yellow, half vinyl top, fender turn sig. Rallye dash, buckets with buddy seat. pin striping, air, 318, disc brakes.Maybe more. And a 72 SSS at the same yard.

[E86 GTX]

Just like to remind everyone of a savable 71 SSSP in Tennessee. Yellow, half vinyl top, fender turn sig. Rallye dash, buckets with buddy seat. pin striping, air, 318, disc brakes.Maybe more. And a 72 SSS at the same yard.

I sure hope they are not dead set on crushing them right away.

Your Friend Ben

[sdweatherman]

Sadly, I think I am going to have to pass on this one. The logistics of getting it to where I need it would be just too much. If it still had its numbers matching drivetrain, I would be pressing hard to save it. I just dont think that Jim will let the whole car go though - for cheap anyway. Thanks Ben for offering to haul it out of there. If nobody else is interested, go ahead and nab the top off of it. I am sure moparlar would love the drip rails if you did not need them yourself. Thanks again, Scott.

[71bird]

No they won't be crushed, but time keeps ticking. Rust never sleeps.

[E86 GTX]

OK.. What is a 340 block worth without a crank. It is stripped.

Your Friend Ben

[gcoupe72]

You'd really have to check the block carefully.
Are the main caps with the block?
Without them, probably not much.
Try to measure the bore, if not more than 4.07 (30 over) or very rusty or scored bores.
I'd try to get it, regardless of year.
Barrys would probably give you a credit, if a machine shop found cracks in the block.
Discuss that with them first.
A few years ago, a friend paid $250 for a bare 340 block that needed boring.
I would think you could get $300 or more.
What my gm buddies never understood is how special all 340s are.
I was always reminding them that they only came in 2 door "sporty cars"
Their favorite engine (chevy 350) came in practically everything chevy built.
From school buses to corvettes,four doors, wagons, pickups.
We couldn't even get a 340 in a Satellite, or Coronet!

[E86 GTX]

If he charges full engine price it will be about $200...Rod caps and main caps were laying on the ground around the block. Did not count them or bolts to see if all were there. Pistons are still there. If it has been bored where will the mark be?

Thanks: Very tired and going to bed Ben

[gcoupe72]

Mopar Action did an article about buying a used block.
Rick suggested cutting pieces of heavy wire(coat hangar, maybe) to the length of the bore diameter.
Measure with a caliper, then grind it to the exact length you need.
3 pieces, std. bore, .03 over,and either .04 or .06 over depending on how thin a block you're willing to buy.
Take them with you and use them to check the bore size.
If you find most cylinders good, then figure the price of putting a sleeve in the bad one(s)
If the crank has a wide parting line, it should be a steel crank, that's good.
It should also be drilled for a pilot bushing.
Rods should have floating pins, if original 340
See what their cracked part policy is?
If they need a core, you can probably give them any block, they're interested in the scrap value.
Someone restoring a 340 car will want to buy this from you.

[471Magnum]

340 std bore are worth some bucks. Getting to be very difficult to find. $300 bucks easy for a bare block. $500 for a short block. $800 or more for a complete core motor, especially if it's a forged crank.

30 over is a crap shoot since 340s are thin wall. I'd never take one more than 30 over for anything other than a stock rebuild unless I planned to sleeve and/or hardblock it, and even then I'd want to sonic check it.

A lot of people are going the stroker route these days, and when doing so it makes more sense to use a 360 block (they're much cheaper and more plentiful). That has somewhat stabilized/diminished the value of 340s, but they are still worth some serious bucks relative to other motors.

[E86 GTX]

If anyone gets back there before it's crushed, I'd like to see photos of the fender tag or a listing of the VIN and all tag codes!

72 Runner5.jpg (48.49 KiB) Viewed 15704 times

So let it be said, So let it be done.

[E86 GTX]

I got the drip rail moldings when I got the roof. The drivers side molding has a ding in it near the front. The passenger side looks good . I do have an an extra but do not know if is right or left right now.

I would pay someone to get the dip rail moldings if they are god.

Larry