400 B Block Build

[avidflyr]

Decided to do a mild pump gas 72 400 B Block performance build for my 64 Polara. Finding pistons to raise the compression is my biggest project.

Shaving the heads and block is half the way. Proper pistons make up the difference. Good Quench area and Valve clearance and Valve Lift are other factors.

Port work is also important on stock heads. Or different heads? Streat ability is the Goal.

 

[mentor70]

Hughes engine probably has what you need.

http://www.hughesengines.com/Index/...jayk=&level1=UGlzdG9ucyAoU3RvY2sgU3Ryb2tlKQ==

 

[rumblefish360]

Many Pistons at Summitracing to choose from.

Port work is also important on stock heads. Or different heads? Streat ability is the Goal.

No matter the head you use, the best thing beyond a good rebuild OR if you purchase aluminum heads is to make sure the ports line up (matched) and have a excellent valve job done. Additions such as porting, larger valves, etc... Should be part of the overall package and not just simply done because...

The ultimate street package is IMO one that lasts decades without issue or complicated combinations and weird parts under a lot of stress. Exhaust manifolds could be retained while still making good power. Mild cam sizes. Reasonable carb sizes, etc...

The question is what is your goal and describe "Street abilty" because that means so much to so many and so differently.

 

[Xp29h]

Just a thought, get a stroker kit with the right CR and deck clearance for that 400. little more expensive but you wouldn't have to have some of the machine work done so you'd save some there...

I just did one one the 400 block. Went together very well. Very few issues if any. Came in at 9.7 CR so pump gas is good and with the dish pistons I used, zero deck clearance for all kinds of quench (or squish, as my friend calls it)

Just my 2 cents... Good luck! Lots of options out there and that 400 will generate some great power when your done!

 

[747mopar]

I did a 73 400 in mine, I robbed a 71 440 of it's internals and bored it .060" over using KB Hyp pistobs for a 456". The pistons were milled for proper compression, crank clearanced, rods resized and floated, rotating assembly balanced and 452 heads were ported using the larger valves. Got 6,000 trouble free miles on it so far.

 

[rumblefish360]

The 440 internals into a 400 is commonly called a 451 stroker and it is an excellent combo and normally cheap to do.

For a few extra bucks, not a wallet killer ether, but doing a 470 stroker is 30 more cubes in torque with an even lighter rotating assembly for faster rev's. After market heads like the Edebrock level head work excellent with this combo so there is no need for exotic high cost heads. Though they do shine real well on top of the 470.

 

[Cranky]

The 440 internals into a 400 is commonly called a 451 stroker and it is an excellent combo and normally cheap to do.

For a few extra bucks, not a wallet killer ether, but doing a 470 stroker is 30 more cubes in torque with an even lighter rotating assembly for faster rev's. After market heads like the Edebrock level head work excellent with this combo so there is no need for exotic high cost heads. Though they do shine real well on top of the 470.

Had a 470 stroker (440 based) that ran high 9's using Stage VI heads in a 71 Duster. On the 400, don't really need to shave the block and heads for compression unless they need to be cleaned up and I like to shoot for at least 10-1 static compression.....