[chal340]

Does anyone know if the 1972 340 Motors ever came with the externally balanced cast crank, like they did with the 1973 motors?

[Brant]

I researched this way back and this is what I found.

72-74's were detuned (lower compression by diff pistons and other mods)
72-74's externally balanced - cast crank.

My engine was a 72 and had a cast, extenally balanced crank. This had a very late production date.

Now, many people have claimed that their own 72 engine had a steel crank and was balanced internally. The Theory of others (more than one I should note) was that to weed out the steel cranks - many would have carried over into the 72 year. So, many early 72 engines got fitted with some left over steel bad boys.

I believe it, made sence to me, anyways – seeing as they seemed to do this for many things - ex. wide seem vinyl tops.

later

[Follicly Challenged]

I have a 72 340 "stick" Challenger, original numbers matching, never cracked, "0" balance flywheel and balancer, Steel Crank. Early production as 10/71.
Methinks also, that they were using up the cranks on early '72's, stick cars for sure !