Mopar race blocks

[440Ramcharger]

Is this a Race block? Small block 340 with casting #s from 1969 has R 3 on the back of the engine.

[bbeckwith]

440Ramcharger, I dont think so, my 340 block is dated 12/68 and it has the same r3 on the back of block. I wondered about it, but have never asked, I just assume it's your everyday run of the mill 340 block. You never know, maybe there were some secret r3 blocks back in the day! It sounds like one of those Nascar R something blocks, but highly doubt they're anything rare. Keep your fingers crossed, but I have never heard of any.

[skankweirdall]

It's not a race block, just a 340 block. Wanna sell it?

[dwc43]

Originally Posted by 440Ramcharger

Is this a Race block? Small block 340 with casting #s from 1969 has R 3 on the back of the engine.

Talk with Sanborn on circle track section. HE will know for sure. They hace used enough race blocks over the years in there dirt modifieds.

[rumblefish360]

I dont think thats a R-3 race block, numbers are said to be cast in on the side, easy to see kind of thing.

[Randal8]

In '69 they were running hemis, so there were no Nascar race smallblocks.

[440Ramcharger]

Sorry Skank, not for sale. Just rebuilding it to go into the 4 speed Duster. I bought this years back from the original owner who bought it. It came in a crate at that time. All of the hypo stuff that they had in '69. 2.02" 915 heads, high rise intake etc.

[skankweirdall]

Originally Posted by 440Ramcharger

Sorry Skank, not for sale. Just rebuilding it to go into the 4 speed Duster.

Dang it. I've had two R3 blocks and still have one so I know that's not one. I also have my old 340 with broken cylinder walls at the bottom of cylinder numbers 7 & 8. I'll probably have it magnafluxed to be sure it's not cracked and have those two cylinders sleeved so I can use it again. It's already got two sleeves in it now.

BTW the R3 block is about 75 pounds heavier than a standard block, one of the reasons I don't want to use it, plus it needs to be repaired also.