400 rebuild help

[Carcinogen]

Question for the Stroker Crowd

What are you using for oil pickup, windage tray? 440Source's site says some of the kits can use stock pickup, but have read of others having pickup problems, thanks All for sharing info on your experience.

 

[Coronet67guy]

Also, since I hadn't mentioned this before, my casting number indicates a 400 block from 76-78. I don't think there is much difference between that 400 and one from a 74 car, but wanted to get others feedback that know much more than I do about that.

 

[451Mopar]

Question for the Stroker Crowd

What are you using for oil pickup, windage tray? 440Source's site says some of the kits can use stock pickup, but have read of others having pickup problems, thanks All for sharing info on your experience.

For the < 4.25" stroke engine or larger with a girdle, I started using the molded windage tray/oil pan gasket sold from Jegs.
I have not had good luck with pickups (1/2") working with the different oil pans and oil pan girdle combinations. I have had to modify (re-bend and/or change the length) of the pickup tubes. On the Chargers 500" stroker with a 1/2" girdle, I made a custom pickup with new tubing, and a Milodon pickup screen welded to the sump end.

 

[MOPAR MARTY]

I found an old similar thread but figured best to start a new one. I'm currently experiencing no oil pressure on a manual gauge in my 74 Charger SE. I'll cross my fingers and have an oil pump put on next week, but need to prepare myself for the more likely motor failure. I'll have someone else doing the rebuild but will be able to supply my own parts. I would probably want to do new bearings, pistons, rods, lifters, possibly cam, etc. Curious as to any good kits or if it's best to buy it all separate. This is not a drag car, so cruising capability is a must.

Car has duel plane intake, TTI headers, 3.23 posi, rebuilt tranny with just over stock new converter, and more. Not sure what hp it's putting out but if I did a stroker kit I would probably need to keep it on the mild side, like the 451. The car is still running stock 14 inch tires. I think I would need to change that just to keep them on the ground. All thoughts and advice are appreciated. I'll update Wednesday after the oil pump install.

replace the oil pump . i had the same thing with a 72 400 i had . i put in a high volume /high pressure pump

 

[Coronet67guy]

replace the oil pump . i had the same thing with a 72 400 i had . i put in a high volume /high pressure pump

That ended up fixing it. Shaft was fine, and the pump spun just fine too, so no lock up. We think it may have been the pressure relief valve stuck. It was the stock pump I believe, still had the mopar part number stamped on it. After 47 years it was time to replace it. Went ahead and replaced the shaft and put a new sending unit on also. Regardless of what it was, the new pump gave us the pressure back. Couldn't find any issues in the oil or under the valve covers, so I think I got lucky.