E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

Technical Shop => Engine, Transmission & Rear End => Topic started by: 73chalngr on May 02, 2020, 06:20:55 AM

Title: LD340 install questions
Post by: 73chalngr on May 02, 2020, 06:20:55 AM
 Do I need to use new intake bolts? Edelbrock site says 25 foot pounds for torque? Some say use RTV instead of the front and rear seals ? Some say remove the dowel pins although my intake has holes for dowel pins?  Any tips or recommendations on how to do this would be appreciated  . For some reason my intake has studs for the thermostat housing should I remove them and use bolts? Should I use any sealant on the coolant nipples  ?Do I really need to remove the distributor?
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: Rich G. on May 02, 2020, 07:23:44 AM
You don't need new bolts. You can use RTV on the ends if you want. Sometimes the gaskets there make the manifold sit to high. I'd use some sealant on the water jackets and some pipe sealant on the threaded nipples. You don't have to remove the distributor, I'd just gives you more room to work. Bolts will work fine for the thermostat housing.
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: Chryco Psycho on May 02, 2020, 09:52:22 AM
  :iagree: The roll pins keep the end seals in place if you decide to use end seals , I prefer to just use a bead of good silicone there , but you can still leave the roll pins as long as the holes line up so the intake will sit down properly
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: Mrbill426 on May 02, 2020, 10:00:45 AM
Is the LD340 a direct bolt-on with factory A/C or would there be modifications involved?  Can you still use the factory air cleaner assembly?

:wrenching:
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: kawahonda on May 02, 2020, 12:42:20 PM
Quote from: Mrbill426 on May 02, 2020, 10:00:45 AM
Is the LD340 a direct bolt-on with factory A/C or would there be modifications involved?  Can you still use the factory air cleaner assembly?

:wrenching:

Can't answer about the A/C assembly, but if you're wondering about height for the factory air cleaner assembly, the answer should be yes, and that's what I'm betting on. LD340/RPM is pretty much near a safe max for height. Air gap is getting too much into danger area and will likely not fit with the factory air cleaner.
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: 73chalngr on May 02, 2020, 04:05:00 PM
My car does not have ac so I can't truly say but I don't think the brackets connect to the intake . I don't think hood clearance will be a problem I had a 69 intake on and had a 1 inch spacer for my Holley to work correctly but the temp sensor hole is a larger size then the factory intake .  Any solution for that problem? Will a bushing make my temp reading inaccurate?
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: three two barrels on May 02, 2020, 04:15:29 PM
Buy some aftermarket intake bolts with a 3/8 head on them and put thread sealant on the middle bolts to prevent oil leaks.
Are you using stamped steel valve covers or cast aluminum? If aluminum, test fit the valve covers and intake before sealing anything up, you may have to do some grinding on the covers and/or the intake runners to prevent oil leaks. The intake runners on the LD340 intake are very chubby and may need to be massaged a little.
I have no clearance issues with a .25 spacer, Quick fuel carb and a 68/69 chromed air cleaner. 
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: mopartaz on May 02, 2020, 04:50:49 PM
Factory bolts are fine , but on a 340 I rebuilt years back I used stainless socket head cap screws and hardened steel ones on the headers. Much easier to get at.

https://www.fastenere.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/shcs188ss1.jpg
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: 73chalngr on May 02, 2020, 05:09:14 PM
Cap screws sound good just removed old bolts and was wondering how to get a torque wrench on them ?
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: Mrbill426 on May 02, 2020, 05:55:13 PM
Sounds like height may not be a problem; I'll be using  TQ and I think it sits lower than a Holley.  I would not think a bushing would affect your reading just so the probe comes in contact with the coolant.




Quote from: 73chalngr on May 02, 2020, 04:05:00 PM
My car does not have ac so I can't truly say but I don't think the brackets connect to the intake . I don't think hood clearance will be a problem I had a 69 intake on and had a 1 inch spacer for my Holley to work correctly but the temp sensor hole is a larger size then the factory intake .  Any solution for that problem? Will a bushing make my temp reading inaccurate?
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: mopartaz on May 02, 2020, 06:32:48 PM
You can try a 3/8 angle adapter to torque the bolts. I don't remember torquing the bolts on the intake --kind of went by "feel". Always used Fel pro / or MR gasket gaskets and sealant. Never had a problem.
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: Chryco Psycho on May 02, 2020, 11:34:19 PM
I am the same , 25 lbs is what a spark plug torques to so I just feel the torque needed , start from the middle 4 bolts & work your way out to each end , Cheack them after a few heat cycles , they will be loose as the gaskets compress .
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: 73chalngr on May 16, 2020, 09:15:39 AM
I'd like to thank everyone for their input On putting my aluminum intake only a few minor things to clean up but it's running now no oil leaks sounds good I'm gonna go for a test drive later today
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: Chryco Psycho on May 16, 2020, 09:17:28 AM
looking good !
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: Mrbill426 on May 16, 2020, 09:35:23 AM
Looks great  :bigthumb:
How is the hood clearance?



Quote from: 73chalngr on May 16, 2020, 09:15:39 AM
I'd like to thank everyone for their input On putting my aluminum intake only a few minor things to clean up but it's running now no oil leaks sounds good I'm gonna go for a test drive later today
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: 73chalngr on May 16, 2020, 09:41:19 AM
Good clearance seem good. I tested it without the air cleaner first assuming the stud is the highest point then with air cleaner in place closed fine the only problem I see could be position of snorkel .
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: Scooter on May 16, 2020, 09:57:28 AM
Quote from: Mrbill426 on May 16, 2020, 09:35:23 AM
Looks great  :bigthumb:
How is the hood clearance?



Quote from: 73chalngr on May 16, 2020, 09:15:39 AM
I'd like to thank everyone for their input On putting my aluminum intake only a few minor things to clean up but it's running now no oil leaks sounds good I'm gonna go for a test drive later today

Looks good... is the LD340 considered a hi rise intake?
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: Chryco Psycho on May 16, 2020, 09:59:04 AM
NO it is a mid rise dual plane , it is just slightly taller than the stock intake  :bigthumb:
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: Scooter on May 16, 2020, 10:19:20 AM
Quote from: Chryco Psycho on May 16, 2020, 09:59:04 AM
NO it is a mid rise dual plane , it is just slightly taller than the stock intake  :bigthumb:

Thanks!
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: Chryco Psycho on May 16, 2020, 11:48:24 AM
For decades it was rated as the top aftermarket intake for the small blocks , , The newer RPM is maybe slightly better & probably better in the higher RPM range
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: 73chalngr on May 16, 2020, 11:56:35 AM
Yes I am from that decade.  Test drive went well.
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: JS29 on May 16, 2020, 11:57:53 AM
 :cool: :driving:
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: Chryco Psycho on May 16, 2020, 12:05:56 PM
Great , noticable improvement I assume  :bigthumb:
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: 73chalngr on May 16, 2020, 12:12:02 PM
 It definitely sounded different didn't really do a whole lot wanted to drive it and come back and check it over again I think I may need to bring the carburetor up to speed now
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: Chryco Psycho on May 16, 2020, 12:29:21 PM
For sure , the carb needs to be reset to match the air flow
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: JS29 on May 16, 2020, 12:39:35 PM
Quote from: Chryco Psycho on May 16, 2020, 12:29:21 PM
For sure , the carb needs to be reset to match the air flow
:iagree:
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: RzeroB on May 16, 2020, 12:47:51 PM
The LD340 was my "go to" manifold for my 340 builds.

For bolts, I would use the ones with a small diameter 12-pt head on them - least amount of interference getting the in and easy to get a wrench on them to tighten them down.
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: kawahonda on May 16, 2020, 12:51:10 PM
I think an LD340 would love a 440 square-bore AVS too....

Otherwise I would expect to definitely have to upjet (or re-rod) with one.
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: Mrbill426 on May 17, 2021, 08:53:49 PM
@73chalngr (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/73chalngr_1222) just curious... how did the manifold work out?



Quote from: 73chalngr on May 16, 2020, 12:12:02 PM
It definitely sounded different didn't really do a whole lot wanted to drive it and come back and check it over again I think I may need to bring the carburetor up to speed now
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: 73chalngr on May 18, 2021, 05:31:50 AM
I have not driven the car a whole lot since the install I had other things to take care of around the house but I like the improvement . Intake bolts were a little bit of a pain in the ass.
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: Mrbill426 on May 18, 2021, 09:56:33 AM
Did you use stock type and length bolts or opt for something different and still have a challenge?



Quote from: 73chalngr on May 18, 2021, 05:31:50 AM
I have not driven the car a whole lot since the install I had other things to take care of around the house but I like the improvement . Intake bolts were a little bit of a pain in the ass.
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: RzeroB on May 18, 2021, 12:45:17 PM
Quote from: 73chalngr on May 18, 2021, 05:31:50 AM
I have not driven the car a whole lot since the install I had other things to take care of around the house but I like the improvement . Intake bolts were a little bit of a pain in the ass.

They are a pain. I found it easier to install by using 12-point 3/8" drive headed bolts.
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: tparker on May 19, 2021, 11:29:09 AM
What is the pain? Is it the travel? It's been so long I don't recall any issues. But perhaps I was so traumatized I blocked it out. LOL. I'll be bolting on my manifold in a couple weeks. I hate having it all ready to go but having other stuff preventing me from getting her put back together. Ugh
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: 73chalngr on May 23, 2021, 05:02:15 AM
I purchased new intake bolts. Stainless with hex drive .
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: Mrbill426 on May 24, 2021, 04:56:55 PM
I may have missed it, but what carb did you go with on the LD340?  I was thinking of using my original TQ but the manifold is more of a square bore so rather then altering the manifold or using an adapter I was considering a Edelbrock.  Wondering about linkages with that though.  Bolt & go would be nice of course.



Quote from: 73chalngr on May 18, 2021, 05:31:50 AM
I have not driven the car a whole lot since the install I had other things to take care of around the house but I like the improvement . Intake bolts were a little bit of a pain in the ass.
Title: Re: LD340 install questions
Post by: 73chalngr on May 27, 2021, 09:16:53 AM
Holley 650 .  Needed to buy hi rise cable brackets stock one did not align correctly. I got them on eBay . I think I just searched on eBay for hi rise throttle bracket mopar small block .