400 block-230 casting

[Garys1969RR]

Does anyone know what 230 blocks are going for these days? Is it worth it to seek one out to build a stroker motor? 440 source says it's the strongest 400 block made, due to the extra material around the main web. I have a couple of 630 blocks, so I was unsure whether to use one of those or a 230 block. Any ideas on this will be helpful and is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[5.7 hemi]

The 230 block is sought after, but any 400 block will do. It’ll be stronger than a stroked 440 cause it’s shorter, it’s bores are bigger to begin with and more meat in the crank area. Stroke the 400 and don’t look back.

 

[andyf]

How much power are you planning on making? If it was me I'd look for a block with thick cylinder walls rather than a 230. You might find a 230 with thick cylinder walls but it will be a rare find. Your money is probably better spent buying a handful of 400 blocks on craigslist and having them all sonic checked. Use the best of the litter and sell the rest.

 

[Garys1969RR]

I have a couple of 400 blocks. I would like to get our 496 Valiant, into the 10s. Runs low 11s now. 383 block, 4.25 crank

 

[fratzog lover]

Unless you want a 750 hp motor. Even then, core shift trumps web thickness. Mopar b/rb blocks are plenty strong downstairs. People get caught up in the mystique of the 230 casting. And usually pay crazy prices for them.

 

[m79ded]

I have a couple of 400 blocks. I would like to get our 496 Valiant, into the 10s. Runs low 11s now. 383 block, 4.25 crank

Shouldn't be a problem I got a 630 late 72 block and it's a 451 with TFS heads and I got 610hp and 625 tq with it and in a 4100 79 magnum ran 11:60's on street ss radials put that into a valiant and 10's for sure

 

[Garys1969RR]

Yea I'll bet it Would! I'm at 5600 feet, so I lose about a full second from sea level. My 451 RR ran low 12s up here with a 451. 3600 lbs

 

[andyf]

700+ hp is really easy with a 400 block. Just add a 3.90 crankshaft and some Trick Flow heads. I've built a bunch of 700 hp engines using 400 blocks and I've never used a 230 block. I just look for nice clean castings with thick cylinder walls and go from there. Main studs, head studs, good balance job and careful machine work. Pump gas 700 hp.

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/dyno-day-trick-flow-270-mopar-heads/

 

[Garys1969RR]

I know the Trick Flows are a great head. I happen to have some Stage VI heads on hand, all ready to go. So will try them out for now.

 

[68 HEMI GTS]

I run a 630 block in the roadrunner 400-511, no issues. We have a 78 400 block in my dads dart, no issues with that one either as a 400-499 with -1 heads.

 

[m79ded]

700+ hp is really easy with a 400 block. Just add a 3.90 crankshaft and some Trick Flow heads. I've built a bunch of 700 hp engines using 400 blocks and I've never used a 230 block. I just look for nice clean castings with thick cylinder walls and go from there. Main studs, head studs, good balance job and careful machine work. Pump gas 700 hp.

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/dyno-day-trick-flow-270-mopar-heads/

Very nice, I guess a stud girdle will be needed at that power level? I have a 451 just over 600hp and plan to port the TFS240 heads and possibly change cam to SR so power levels will go up. I am even wondering if there would be substantial difference between a good SR vs solid flat that I have now.which stud girdle would you recommend? 440 source? Mancini? Hughes?? What do you think of a cam change in this situation?

 

[andyf]

Very nice, I guess a stud girdle will be needed at that power level? I have a 451 just over 600hp and plan to port the TFS240 heads and possibly change cam to SR so power levels will go up. I am even wondering if there would be substantial difference between a good SR vs solid flat that I have now.which stud girdle would you recommend? 440 source? Mancini? Hughes?? What do you think of a cam change in this situation?

I don't understand your questions. The engine in the article doesn't have a girdle and the Trick Flow heads come out of the box already ported. I don't recommend using a girdle.

 

[m79ded]

I don't understand your questions. The engine in the article doesn't have a girdle and the Trick Flow heads come out of the box already ported. I don't recommend using a girdle.

I apologize for the confusion AndyF I was merely trying to ask your expert opinion on a few matters. You have done amazing work with the B-engine. At what power level does a stock bottom end with the exception of main studs hold up to? I was trying to tie the question in to my plans of changing to a street solid roller and port the TFS240 heads further. Is there a substantial difference between a good street SR vs solid flat? I see that you don't recommend a girdle, perhaps good main caps? Thank you very much in advance.

 

[andyf]

This thread is a question about the need for a 230 block. I posted a link to an article to show that the 230 block isn't required for 750+ hp. The OP didn't say how much power he wanted to make but since he is using Stage VI heads I doubt he will be making much more than 600 hp. A girdle isn't required and stock main caps will work just fine at that level.

 

[Garys1969RR]

Thanks Andy! If I can make 600 HP with these Stage VI heads, I'll be happy. I realize although they are an older design, and have been ported, they are no match for the modern TF heads.

 

[Garys1969RR]

I do intend to pick up the 230 block soon, and may use it as a base for a 512 build.

 

[IQ52]

Thanks Andy! If I can make 600 HP with these Stage VI heads, I'll be happy. I realize although they are an older design, and have been ported, they are no match for the modern TF heads.

Yep, as you have the Stage VI I'd run them. Most likely you'll be fine. It really is determined by how well the Stage VI heads are executed. On our bench our ported Stages VI's will flow as good or better than our ported iron 906 heads, and we have used the same 906 set to get 694 HP with a 451 stroker and 748 HP with on a 500" stroker. 600 HP potential certainly is there.

 

[moper]

T A girdle isn't required and stock main caps will work just fine at that level.

x2. The guys pushing girdles are selling them.
The Stage heads are a crapshoot unless someone's fixed them. They were a very good potential head, but as many MP parts of that era, the production castings and work sucked.

 

[Garys1969RR]

I had a stud girdle that is mounted between the Block& oil pan. Then you have an oil pan gasket above and below it. Seems like a lot of work to me, plus everything would have to fit perfectly. Didn't think it was needed, so I sold mine . it was new in the box. Came with the car I had bought. I don't know what power level they are needed at, but I don't get anywhere close to 900 or a thousand horsepower. I'm guessing that's where they would be needed.

 

[68 HEMI GTS]

I’m a fan of stud girdles, use to use them on fords a lot and they do help.