Whats next?, 400Block

[Runner71]

So ive managed to get my very first BB build pretty decent for not spending any kind of big dollars on it. Doing almost everything ( with guidance from a few ppl and from this forum, thank ya! ) myself. Oh boy trail and errors, even ported the 516 - 2.14/1.80 heads and so far it worked as "intended" and im happy.

That thing live's inside my 1971 RR now.

But I also have this 400 block and im getting pretty bored and wanna build me a fun stroker with alot(ofcourse) power mostly for the streets, dosent have to be a single plain 7500rpm max hp engine. But kinda want it like a monsterish for street driven.

Any ideas/suggestions, cant really figure it out. Should i go for a 512?

Keep it safe!

 

[4mulas]

Being a 361 casting I’d do a big inch 500+ big power motor. That block has the really thick main web castings and can handle lots!

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Being a 361 casting I’d do a big inch 500+ big power motor. That block has the really thick main web castings and can handle lots!

Until you look at the main web you can't say for sure, some do & some don't....

Personally for a street car I like the 470....

 

[BlooDSMeaR]

yep $2600 for a 512 kit best money on my roadrunner I ever spent

 

[beanhead]

Just me...but if it's not gonna be a track car, even if it will be used for the required 'spirited blasts' on the street I'd go for the 470 kit like '1WildRT' said, easy peasy. Plenty of power potential and just a great all-around engine. Feed it accordingly with good heads/induction and it will do everything you want without having to get too rowdy with the cam and gearing.

 

[Runner71]

Until you look at the main web you can't say for sure, some do & some don't....

View attachment 1079665

Personally for a street car I like the 470....

I'll be sure to double check it!

Just me...but if it's not gonna be a track car, even if it will be used for the required 'spirited blasts' on the street I'd go for the 470 kit like '1WildRT' said, easy peasy. Plenty of power potential and just a great all-around engine. Feed it accordingly with good heads/induction and it will do everything you want without having to get too rowdy with the cam and gearing.

Okay, Guess i have to do like when i started with the heads. buy some books and start reading. Should be a good thing to fully understand what all the "cubics" does and how it makes the difference. Alot of ppl just say "go as big u can, its the same amount if ur gonna spend it" hmmm

 

[1 Wild R/T]

End of the day even without the heavy main webs for a street engine making 5-550 HP you shouldn't have any issues.. The heavy web is important when your making 6-650+

 

[Runner71]

Thats what I was thinking. I'll check doe. Yeah i rather not go the 650+ way.. Or i dont want that kinda RPM's and really not some super rowdy cam specs. A solid bottom some real good heads and mayby find me a solid rpm intake , port that as much as i can, good carb with a 1" spacer and try to hit alot off power around 4000~

 

[beanhead]

I'll be sure to double check it!




Okay, Guess i have to do like when i started with the heads. buy some books and start reading. Should be a good thing to fully understand what all the "cubics" does and how it makes the difference. Alot of ppl just say "go as big u can, its the same amount if ur gonna spend it" hmmm

Then if I may suggest...start with Andy Finkbeiner's book and his articles available at AREngineering.com, or in the tech section over on Moparts.
(Oh BTW he's member AndyF here!)

 

[Runner71]

Then if I may suggest...start with Andy Finkbeiner's book and his articles available at AREngineering.com, or in the tech section over on Moparts.
(Oh BTW he's member AndyF here!)

Thanks, I'll check that out right away appreciate!
In someways i feel like theres no "right or wrong" in this chase on how the power comes out and were u feelit. Like my 440 prob not super much hp but the power hits where most off the cars have nothing so everyone thinks its a "550+" car just cuz of the responsiveness.
Think its alot off interpretations off what works and not, but anyway its become something enjoyable and fun to learn!

 

[4mulas]

Until you look at the main web you can't say for sure, some do & some don't....

View attachment 1079665

Personally for a street car I like the 470....

Thanks, I didn’t know, now I do! I like the 470 idea too, I just just did 451 and am installing now, maybe 470 next time if I sell or want a change.

 

[BlooDSMeaR]

My build is a 512 based off the 400 block.
440 source stroker kit
OTB eddy heads
mancini / HS manufactured rockers
OTB eddy dual plane intake
holly 850 DP
looking to make a smooth daily driver style car. A good dependable torque monster.
Once its done dynoing ill post the build

 

[Runner71]

My build is a 512 based off the 400 block.
440 source stroker kit
OTB eddy heads
mancini / HS manufactured rockers
OTB eddy dual plane intake
holly 850 DP
looking to make a smooth daily driver style car. A good dependable torque monster.
Once its done dynoing ill post the build

Nice, hope everything goes well for you! Im still in the planning kinda stage so im all ears!

 

[wagonman]

470 with a Source kit Trick Flow 240s Comp XE282S-10 and Fender well Hookers in my Duster. 550 Tq 565 Hp and idles like a kitten at 800. Could have went bigger on the cam but lost some street manners.

 

[BlooDSMeaR]

470 with a Source kit Trick Flow 240s Comp XE282S-10 and Fender well Hookers in my Duster. 550 Tq 565 Hp and idles like a kitten at 800. Could have went bigger on the cam but lost some street manners.

I'm putting a really small cam in my build. I am looking for a motor I can drive for 5 hours, and not feel like its been straining the whole time. Maybe later on down the road Ill upgrade for a bit bigger cam as well. I want to be able to drive it places, other then to the track and back.

 

[beanhead]

Thanks, I'll check that out right away appreciate!
In someways i feel like theres no "right or wrong" in this chase on how the power comes out and were u feelit. Like my 440 prob not super much hp but the power hits where most off the cars have nothing so everyone thinks its a "550+" car just cuz of the responsiveness.
Think its alot off interpretations off what works and not, but anyway its become something enjoyable and fun to learn!

I totally get it...sometimes it just needs to 'feel like' 550 HP and good times can be had by all.
So don't underestimate the benefits of some good street-friendly chassis mods; stickier tires, better shocks front and rear, good spring setup etc...plenty of stuff you can do and still maintain the original stock look of the car if that's a concern.

 

[Curiousyellow71]

We got a 4.5" crank to fit in our early 400 block for a 542. With 2.2 rod journal we hardly had to grind to clear. If you have a early block like ours the bigger rb crank darn near dropped in. Really impressed with the mains and the overall fit, especially for a 542. Ours dates July 15 71, I don't know when they changes the mains. Most b engine strokers need smaller b counterbalances or you have to grind the block out...which isn't much fun.

 

[m79ded]

We got a 4.5" crank to fit in our early 400 block for a 542. With 2.2 rod journal we hardly had to grind to clear. If you have a early block like ours the bigger rb crank darn near dropped in. Really impressed with the mains and the overall fit, especially for a 542. Ours dates July 15 71, I don't know when they changes the mains. Most b engine strokers need smaller b counterbalances or you have to grind the block out...which isn't much fun.

View attachment 1079996 View attachment 1079997 View attachment 1080008

I got an identical block to that and was wondering if I can go bigger than 4.25 stroke? what crank rods piston combo did you use?? thanks, BTW the TF240 worked will in my 451 and got it to 612 hp and 625 tq with street manners but as usual we want more

 

[Curiousyellow71]

I got an identical block to that and was wondering if I can go bigger than 4.25 stroke? what crank rods piston combo did you use?? thanks, BTW the TF240 worked will in my 451 and got it to 612 hp and 625 tq with street manners but as usual we want more

As near as we can tell the 230 block castings are the same but somewhere along the way they machined and cast the main area differently. Our 230 has nearly the same crank counterbalance clearance as a 440. We had to machine very little and a crank w rb counterbalances dropped in. I would think if your casting date was similiar it could be identical. Its a awesome block, with the 2.2 pin there is only a small little notch to clear the rods at the bottom of the cylinder walls. It actually turned over w no grinding, but didn't have the .050 clearance needed. We have a bryant billet crank we turned the rods to bbc and mains to b, we have the larger 440 counterbalances and for the pistons to clear we are using a scat h beam 6.7 rod.
You could not use our pistons with the trick flows because they have a step that would contact the head. You would have to spend some dough and get customs. Most shops would say the extra cubes really needs the 270s, and the 4.5 throw will just add stress to the bottom end and talk you into a 4.25. But these 230s have a awesome bottom end with thick mains. The only downside we can see is its a very short piston. We will see how it lasts. We are using a tool steel top ring because it's higher up in the bore then we have done before. Also doing cometic gaskets to lower the compression and help w piston clearance. Another thing I have never seen w a 4.5 throw is our block has room for a 1/2 pickup and it clears! No external pickup needed on this one. Its been a fun one to do. But its not running yet so I can't really recommend it yet...but getting closer by the day! I think its going to be a blast. We have a 4.25 crank in our other b body, going to be interesting to compare.

 

[m79ded]

As near we can tell the 230 block castings are the same but somewhere along the way they machined the main area differently. Our 230 has nearly the same crank counterbalance clearance as a 440. We had to machine very little and a crank w rb counterbalances dropped in. I would think if your casting date was similiar it could be identical. Its a awesome block, with the 2.2 pin there is only a small little notch to clear the rods at the bottom of the cylinder walls. It actually turned over w no grinding, but didn't have the .050 clearance needed. We have a bryant billet crank we turned the rods to bbc and mains to b, we have the larger 440 counterbalances and for the pistons to clear we are using a scat h beam 6.7 rod.
You could not use our pistons with the trick flows because they have a step that would contact the head. You would have to spend some dough and get customs. Most shops would say the extra cubes really needs the 270s, and the 4.5 throw will just add stress to the bottom end and talk you into a 4.25. But these 230s have a awesome bottom end with thick mains. The only downside we can see is its a very short piston. We will see how it lasts. We are using a tool steel top ring because it's higher up in the bore then we have done before. Also doing cometic gaskets to lower the compression and help w piston clearance. Another thing I have never seen w a 4.5 throw is our block has room for a 1/2 pickup and it clears! No external pickup needed on this one. Its been a fun one to do. But its not running yet so I can't really recommend it yet...but getting closer by the day! I think its going to be a blast. We have a 4.25 crank in our other b body, going to be interesting to compare.

Thanks very much for the info sir, My other block which is cast in 72 not a 230 block worked well with 451 but did show just a hint of cap walk, even with studs on the mains, That's why I got this early 230 block so I can do the 512, Some told me don't waste my time and just get the bulldog block or if Callies will make a "B" block but that's pricey for a street enthusiast and Bulldog has many mixed reviews