400 motor Crank ID

[Garys1969RR]

Just bought a 400 engine with trans today. The guy claimed it had a 440 crank in it. Here are a few pics, wondering if anyone can tell by the balancer if this is a 440 crank. I'm thinking it looks like a 440 six pack balancer. Or is this just a Garden variety 400 cast crank? Thanks for your input/ideas.

 

[Garys1969RR]

 

[furryfrog]

http://www.440source.com/dampers.htm

 

[furryfrog]

Looks like a externally balanced 400 cast crank.

 

[Lefty71]

I've never seen those numbers on a 6-pak damper, and the small notch in the side of the counterweight is a giveaway that its a 400 cast damper, so I'd say that's not a 6-pak bottom in there, but since any damper could theoretically bolt on about any crank, I guess you'll have to dig a little deeper into it to know whether theres a 440 crank in there. It takes special pistons to fit up a 451, so if they look like plain production pistons (look in spark plug holes), then I'd say you are looking at a cast crank 400. Pull the pan, or measure the stroke, and you'll have a much better idea. Certainly nothing wrong with a 400 in my mind, did you get a deal?? HTH, Lefty71

 

[Beekeeper]

Yep that’s a balancer for a cast crank

 

[Garys1969RR]

Not a bad deal since it IS a 230 block, and a little more rare than a std 530 or 630 block. Plus it has a little hotter cam, as well . And the torque convertor is a 2500 stall. I will need to check cam duration with my degree wheel to find out exactly what I have. Then I will be back with more specifics. I do know that it is a hydraulic, with std rocker gear.

 

[andyf]

Well it would be possible to put a 440 crank into a 400 block and use a cast crank damper but a person would need to be either crazy or very eccentric to do such a thing. My bet is the guy who sold you the engine just didn't know what he was talking about. You won't know until you pull the pan off but my bet is that you'll just fine a regular old 400 cast crank inside the pan.

 

[66Satellite47]

My cast crank 440 balancer's say 440 cast crank on them. The 400 did not.

 

[Garys1969RR]

Pulled the heads off today and measured the stroke, and it is a 400 crankshaft.

 

[Lefty71]

So, you have a very desirable block.

And, it may have a short stroke forged crank, but probably not.

Rebuilt, you could have a nice motor that well outperforms the Lean Burn POS it was built as, thanks to our well meaning lawmakers of the time.

Toss everything else, and use that block you could make real firebreather out of it.

I can only assume, someone built it up somewhat, and painted it orange, assume it started it out blue/aqua??

So, big question is, what's the plan???

Just curious, Lefty71

 

[Garys1969RR]

Well I have a 496 already, with blow by, not sealing well. So I want to use the 4.25 crank and rods from the 496, buy some Icon pistons, and build a 512 with this block. The 496 is a 383 block. So it should have 6.535 length rods. A 1.320 C Height piston should work just right, coming to zero deck. Thats the plan. 496 Valiant right now.

 

[Garys1969RR]

 

[66Satellite47]

Well I might be a fool but boring a 383 to get 512 seems like a bit too much. A 400 block would be easier.

 

[Garys1969RR]

Well I might be a fool but boring a 383 to get 512 seems like a bit too much. A 400 block would be easier.

Yes, i plan to use this 230 block with the 496 crank and rods to build the 512. I also have 2 other 400 blocks. A 530 and a 630. I did hear of a guy that bored a 383 block .070, and used 440 pistons in it. Said it ran great!

 

[fratzog lover]

I did hear of a guy that bored a 383 block .070, and used 440 pistons in it. Said it ran great!

At least until something goes crack. 0.70 over is brave.

 

[66Satellite47]

Yes, i plan to use this 230 block with the 496 crank and rods to build the 512. I also have 2 other 400 blocks. A 530 and a 630. I did hear of a guy that bored a 383 block .070, and used 440 pistons in it. Said it ran great!

I guess I mis- read your post.

 

[Garys1969RR]

I guess I mis- read your post.

Well the donor motor is a 383 block, 4.25 stroke. 496 cubes. So C Height is the same as for a 512. Will Just need a 4.375 piston, with 1.320 C Height. And a 400 block of course. Lol. I like the flat top Icon piston.

 

[Garys1969RR]

It's interesting, that piston will work in a 4.25 stroke 512 with a 6.535 rod, or a 3.75 stroke 451, using the 6.768 440 rod.

 

[Lefty71]

It's interesting, that piston will work in a 4.25 stroke 512 with a 6.535 rod, or a 3.75 stroke 451, using the 6.768 440 rod.

As long as it misses the counterweights on the crank, its all good.... So, in other words, it's designed for the long stroke short rod combo, then it should work with any longer rod/shorter stroke combo that takes it up to near zero deck, although it may not be the best choice in a combo it's not really designed for. I'd be looking for the lightest piston, with the most skirt that still physically works in the given application. I would not use a piston with more skirt removed than you need to make it miss everything or you will sacrifice longevity of the piston. BTW, love the Valiant. Lefty71