Picked up a standard bore 400 block to start a 451 Stroker

[64SF]

On another thread I asked for opinions and comments regarding engine options to replace the 361 in my 64 Sport Fury. I very much appreciate those who chimed in.

After a lot thought, researching and reading the threads on this site, I've decided to start gathering the parts for a 451 Stroker. Today I picked up a 400 block it's been tanked, checked for cracks, oiled down and bagged.

Several items moved me in this direction including; a lot of parts will interchange from the 361 to the 400 (brackets, pulleys etc.), stock appearing to the eye, physical size and comments from those who have built the 451 say it can be a dependable -killer street engine!

Now the parts hunt begins....A new rotating assembly would be nice but it's a bit out of my reach right now so I'll be surfing the web and swap meets for good deals on available new and used parts....High on the list is a 440 crank (steel of course) and a set of rods (I've read mixed opinions on using 6 pack vs LY's). Need more educating on the best piston, head and cam combination for a quick, torquey street car.

As usual any comments comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[happyjackdaddy54]

Why would you want to use heavy 6 pak rods or at least 35 year old LY rods? Bite the bullet. Save your money and buy new rods.

 

[cryplydog]

That 470 kit from 440source is my next build this winter. seems easier and about the same money for a lot more?

 

[69Bee]

Why would you want to use heavy 6 pak rods or at least 35 year old LY rods? Bite the bullet. Save your money and buy new rods.

What is wrong with 35 year old LY rods?? If you replace the bolts with ARP ones, and resize the big end, they are better than new since that have been already stress relieved. Cast iron does not deteriorate over time, so I don't see the problem. I have seen that comment before, and just think people just want to justify to themselves why they are wasting money. If you said that you wanted the stronger rod, ok, I could buy that, but not just because they are old...

64SF, don't forget to replace that aluminum intermediate shaft bushing too.

 

[451Mopar]

I used reconditioned LY rods with my 451 20 years ago and didn't have a problem, but I know they were the weak link in the rotating assembly.
Now you can get 4340 rods at a reasonable price and get the larger 7/16" ARP rod bolts, and smaller 0.990" floating pin ends which most of the stroker pistons have switched to using.
If it is in the budget, consider using the new rods.
The new trick flow heads are now out for sale, about $1,000 each assembled. If the 74cc chamber works with your pistons to get the compression you want, they seem like a good value if the really flow 320+ cfm out of the box?

 

[niteshift70]

H beams are lighter and stronger is why.

 

[747mopar]

I went all out bang for the buck on mine, 73 400 block, steel 440 crank & rods, ported 452 heads with 3 angle valve job and larger valves, KB Hyp pistons, Comp solid lift cam, Eddy RPM intake, Comp magnum Rockers and an 850 Demon. I've got over 5,000 miles on it with no issues and love it! Like mentioned I had the large end of the rods resized, added ARP bolts and had the small end set up for a floating pin.

 

[HT413]

I have a budget 451 thread that I started this past year that might be useful to you. The advice that I received told me that the rods are the weak point only on a 440 with heavy OEM pistons, but that on a 451 with much lighter pistions, the main caps become the weak point. That being said, spending $50 on LY's then a couple hundred on reconditioning them and adding the APR's just puts you too close to the $500 for 440 source rods (IMHO).

A while back I found some nice older Manley rods that I planned on using. Sometime after, I happened upon a prebalanced 451 rotating assembly with OEM forged crank, reconditioned LY's with ARP bolts, new Ross forged pistons, moly rings and a freshly machined 400 block at a really nice price. I decided to sell the Manleys only because it just didn't make sense to me to rebalance the whole assembly for something that probably won't make a bit of difference. Was it the correct decision? Lol stay tuned!

 

[64SF]

Found this article while researching...he uses low block rods and a Keith Black Pistons. Thoughts/comments?

http://www.houstonmopars.org/stroker.html