340 TA

[Ratvon]

Ok I just bought a bunch of cuda parts some of the stuff is AAR the guy actually had an AAR and blew the engine under warranty the heads are definitely TA heads but we're loosely bolted to a 340 block by just a few bolts and the block had numbers stamped just under the head and down by the right side mount telling me that it's not a factory replacement block which brings me to my question DO TA HEADS BOLT ON A 70 340 BLOCK? I didn't think they would. The head bolt holes look to have some type of sleeve in them. What the heck is going on? There was a 340 block with NO NUMBERS UNDER THE HEAD OR DOWN BY THE PAN .but it's just a 340 block from what I see.. I have read where there was a limited number of TA blocks and under warranty they didn't use a TA block so what did they use?

 

[moparleo]

Number one, welcome to the forum. Second, the T/A head will bolt up to any LA series engine: 318, 340, 360. All bolt holes are the same. The difference on the T/A head is in the push rod area. The push rod holes are offset to allow larger port work to be done and the rocker arms are adjustable. Pictures really help when you have questions. You looked at the part and we are relying on just your explanation of what you saw.
The block ID is cast into the side of the block above where the starter mounts.
MyMopar - Mopar Forums & Information - Mopar Engine Casting Numbers 1959-1978

 

[Ratvon]

Ok I'll get some pictures tomorrow but what I read it and old book "how to rebuild your small block mopar " it says they will not bolt on a regular TA engine. That's what I was going by

 

[moparleo]

Buy a new book or reread it. That makes no sense as the 340 T/A engine is just a modified standard 340. The difference in the block is that the oil pan rail castings are thicker in case you want to machine the block for four bolt mains.

 

[Ratvon]

Buy a new book or reread it. That makes no sense as the 340 T/A engine is just a modified standard 340. The difference in the block is that the oil pan rail castings are thicker in case you want to machine the block for four bolt mains.

OK looking at your thread on block castings I have that info but when they had to rebuild an engine under warranty and had to use a replacement block they didn't use a TA block because there was a limited number of blocks and they all went into production .... so what did they use for a warranty block..And if I'm rereading this book it says the will bolt on but won't work as I have highlighted I would really would like to believe you are right because that would make me happy if you could share your research that would be greatly appreciated

 

[challenger6pak]

There are a lot of mistakes in that book. It is old. The author was just giving the information that was available at the time. As long as you use the correct rocker arms, the TA heads, just as Leo says, will bolt onto other small blocks.

 

[Ratvon]

How do know that is wrong I can't find much information on the subject especially about replacement blocks .But I did talk to a mechanic that did do warranty work in those years and they used blocks with no stampings on them like the one I seen

 

[Slade Caltrider]

The TA heads will bolt on and work fine on a regular 340 block, you just have to use the TA cast/adjustable (intake offset) rocker arms, shafts, and push tubes. If you don't have the TA specific rockers/shafts/push tubes you can't use the TA heads on either block. The TA block has thicker main bearing web castings for using 4 bolt main caps and was cast with a higher-nickel content for added strength. Operating dimensions are the same as the regular 340 block.
Yes, dealers did not always use TA blocks and heads for under warranty repairs. Hope this helps clear this up. Happy New year.

 

[Ratvon]

Clear as mud lol ! Actually that helps ...books have been wrong before and it seems like that one is

 

[jeff968]

View attachment 34621
but when they had to rebuild an engine under warranty and had to use a replacement block they didn't use a TA block because there was a limited number of blocks and they all went into production

Not true. There are many warranty T/A blocks out there. There was one in my first T/A which I purchased in 1979. It had no VIN on the boss and a tag riveted to the side of the block indicating it was a warranty replacement. I've owned 5 T/As since. I agree that the T/A heads will bolt up to a regular 340 block without issue.

 

[Ratvon]

Not true. There are many warranty T/A blocks out there. There was one in my first T/A which I purchased in 1979. It had no VIN on the boss and a tag riveted to the side of the block indicating it was a warranty replacement. I've owned 5 T/As since. I agree that the T/A heads will bolt up to a regular 340 block without issue.

Yes that is exactly what the block I was looking at was like you could tell there was a tag riveted on but it was missing. But IT DOESN'T HAVE TA STAMPED ON THE BLOCK that's the point I'm trying to make did the replacement blocks come without the TA letters because all TA engines had that on them in production cars

 

[jeff968]

Yes that is exactly what the block I was looking at was like you could tell there was a tag riveted on but it was missing. But IT DOESN'T HAVE TA STAMPED ON THE BLOCK that's the point I'm trying to make did the replacement blocks come without the TA letters because all TA engines had that on them in production cars

My warranty block had the T/A identification casted on the side of it.

 

[Ratvon]

My warranty block had the T/A identification casted on the side of it.

Really? That's interesting. from what I read they didn't .maybe some didn't I would really like to know if this block could have been a TA warranty block. Beginning to think not

 

[moparleo]

And your real point is ?

 

[AUSTA]

Ok I just bought a bunch of cuda parts some of the stuff is AAR the guy actually had an AAR and blew the engine under warranty the heads are definitely TA heads but we're loosely bolted to a 340 block by just a few bolts and the block had numbers stamped just under the head and down by the right side mount telling me that it's not a factory replacement block which brings me to my question DO TA HEADS BOLT ON A 70 340 BLOCK? I didn't think they would. The head bolt holes look to have some type of sleeve in them. What the heck is going on? There was a 340 block with NO NUMBERS UNDER THE HEAD OR DOWN BY THE PAN .but it's just a 340 block from what I see.. I have read where there was a limited number of TA blocks and under warranty they didn't use a TA block so what did they use?

If you look at pic 1 TA block the main crank bearings supports are full width on the standards 340 block they are much thinner

 

[Ratvon]

If you look at pic 1 TA block the main crank bearings supports are full width on the standards 340 block they are much thinner

View attachment 34630

View attachment 34631

 

[Ratvon]

Thanks

And your real point is ?

Were some standard 340 blocks used for TA warranty repair

 

[moparleo]

The T/A block was a different casting and the T/A designation was not stamped, it was part of the casting id.
Here are the casting numbers 340 -1968-73 #2780930 340 -TA , AAR only 1970 #3577130TA
Look for those numbers.

 

[Ratvon]

The T/A block was a different casting and the T/A designation was not stamped, it was part of the casting id.
Here are the casting numbers 340 -1968-73 #2780930 340 -TA , AAR only 1970 #3577130TA
Look for those numbers.

OK thanks it has 340 -6 on it remember but I dont know that 6 following the 340 means and I doubt it means anything pertaining to TA

 

[quapman]

The "-6" just means that the core in that block had been used 5 times prior to that one making your block #6.