Lead on a 408. Should I do it?

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txbullets

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So I have my 340 in the shop getting new rings and bearings and a quick once over before I put it in my dart and we started talking power. I really want to get close to 400hp but don't know that I want to port my original X heads and don't really want to get into spending a lot on a stroker. He throws an alternative at me. He has a friends 408 in there who is hard up for money. He said he would probably sell "everything" for $1,500. I dismissed it because I have just been focusing on the build I have going, but now that I am home I can't stop thinking about that stroker. I think I sm going to call him Monday and ask what all was included in "everything".

What all should I be looking for? I am very "green" when it comes to motors period and have not looked at strokers at all.

Also I will report back with what he tells me but is $1,500 a good price or just ok?
 
Intake to oil pan should be everything. If it is sitting with a carb on it, I would want that too..... means he said everything.
 
Depends on what is included. If it is intake to pan that is a screaming deal. Find out what the internals are if it's a high compression motor with a cast crank you don't want it. I have 12000.00 in my 408 build.
 
i guess it depends on your car
do you take pride in having a 340 ?
is it numbers matching ?
is everything else on your car showroom stock ?

if you wanted to build a 408 stroker and someone gave you a perfectly good, ready to go 360 block you could easily spend 1500 on the rotating assembly

so, if we are talking a FRESH, good build stroker (can you hear it running, maybe even have the owner take you for a spin around the block) then yes, this is a killer deal

but is it what you want for YOUR car?

coming from someone who respects the stock heads to the point of not wanting to even port them, this engine might not be for you

on the other hand, you may want to slap the 408 in your ride and put the 340 on a stand in the living room
 
Having driven my 408 for several years, I can say unequivocally, yes. Hell yes. I have so much fun driving this thing. Just last week I took a new Camaro SS, and last night an SLK55 AMG. I give no ground to anyone. If you want fast and great torque, do it. I went overdrive in mine and my top end is way high now too.
 
I think rather than cubic inches and HP, it comes down to arithmetic and dollars.

If it's a good price on new parts and a block then the work to get it done will be a bunch more than a refresh on the 340.

An accurate parts list and condition would be needed to make a good decision.
 
No number matching going on in my build. Pulling a 318 from my 72 swinger for the 68' 340. And the main reason behind not wanting to port the heads is in my mind the x heads are more valuable to someone in stock conditions so should I ever decide to upgrade to aftermarket I could sell the heads easier if they are not ported. Also I feel like if I want performance heads I am better selling my x heads and getting aluminum heads.

Also the motor is out and at the machine shop so no chance of hearing it run. I am going to call him Monday and see what everything is.
 
I think rather than cubic inches and HP, it comes down to arithmetic and dollars.

If it's a good price on new parts and a block then the work to get it done will be a bunch more than a refresh on the 340.

An accurate parts list and condition would be needed to make a good decision.

Kind of what I am thinking. I have everything to finish this 340 except a carb and maybe a cam depending on what is in it now. While the 340 is there he was going to pull the cam and give me specs. The 340 I have there was rebuild 10 years ago and ran for a month or 2 before the guy put a 360 in his car so it should be in good shape just been sitting a long while and I don't trust people so I want it looked over.

I think the 408 is freshly built. I have a feeling what he ment by everything was stroke wise. Could be wrong though. Worth investigating.
 
Won't cost anything to look, BUT if it sounds right and you trust this machinist that's when you'll start losing sleep at night thinking about it.

I like your attitude regarding the stock X head, I would do the same.
 
Ok just called him. I am going to go by Monday and look at what all he has but it basically sounds like a short block with heads

Here is what he listed
Aftermarket eagle crank
Aftermarket pistons
Cam (not sure what cam)
Comes with heads with roller rockers. He said rockers are in ok shape.
Said it was someone's project they brought to him but the project died and the motor has been at his shop for a while now.
 
eagle crank...cast or forged?.....

the cast have a history of cracking....
 
While its fun to dream of all that power just don't consider the motor. What are and in what shape is the rest of the components of the drive train in? Big torque output (what a stroker does), unrestrained throttle foot and unexpected traction will start popping 40+ year old parts like a pan of Jiffy Pop on a hot burner...
I'm pretty leery of "deals" like this. More often than not they end up costing way more in the end than using what you already own. Without knowing the components of the motor, cam specs, head flow #s, quality of machining ect... ect... it's a crap shoot for any of us to advise you. Do you know and trust this engine shop/machinist to give you the straight poop? Do you know all the ins and outs of properly building a stroker motor and all the questions that need to be asked and the answers verified by someone knowledgeable that you trust with your $? I'd pass.
Don't know what is behind your goal of 400 HP but it shouldn't be too hard, or expensive, to get that 340 to make very respectable and street usable power.
 
While its fun to dream of all that power just don't consider the motor. What are and in what shape is the rest of the components of the drive train in? Big torque output (what a stroker does), unrestrained throttle foot and unexpected traction will start popping 40+ year old parts like a pan of Jiffy Pop on a hot burner...
I'm pretty leery of "deals" like this. More often than not they end up costing way more in the end than using what you already own. Without knowing the components of the motor, cam specs, head flow #s, quality of machining ect... ect... it's a crap shoot for any of us to advise you. Do you know and trust this engine shop/machinist to give you the straight poop? Do you know all the ins and outs of properly building a stroker motor and all the questions that need to be asked and the answers verified by someone knowledgeable that you trust with your $? I'd pass.
Don't know what is behind your goal of 400 HP but it shouldn't be too hard, or expensive, to get that 340 to make very respectable and street usable power.

Great advise. Thank you. 400hp was a number I felt was attainable on my 340 so wanted to get close to it.

I don't know much about the ins and outs of a stroker. That's why I am here posting this. I knew without knowing more it would be hard to say if it is a good deal. Really I guess I just needed a little info\education on what to look for and what questions to ask.

Trust in the machine shop is moderate. He has built a few motors for my dad and specializes in heads. I think he will tell me the truth in what will need to be done before putting it on my car. if anything he will encourage me to let him rebuild it.

I guess my biggest thing is I don't want to put all this time and money in my car only to want more power down the road.
 
Stick with the 340 , at least you'll know what goes in to it . Don't worry you'll be making close to 400 hp . Good set of pistons , air gap headers and a decent cam will get you there . I punch it at 10-20 mph and light up the tires , put down 50 feet of rubber hitting 2nd gear , all with a little 340 .
 
Just my two cents. If both engines are at the same machine shop why would you trust him to work on your 340 and then be leery of buying a 408 from him that he's worked on?

I'm doing something similar in my build. Non numbers car so I could do anything. I sold the 68 340 w/ X heads that was in it as a running motor on CL for $1200. I'm building a roller cam 408 w/ reworked Edelbrock heads that should be close to 500 hp. If you can sell your 340 and apply that money towards the 408 you'd be money ahead. If there's any question about the condition of the 408, have him go back through it and measure everything and seal it back up.

Don't get me wrong, I love my 340's but winding an engine up to 7k on the streets just screams for the police. With the 408 I plan on making my power down low and not drawing a bunch of unwanted attention. I agree with the earlier poster that said to make sure the rest of your drive train is up to the task. I have a rebuilt beefed up 727, new drive shaft with 1350 U joints and a Strange 60 rear end. Good brakes are must also!
 
My impression is that he hasn't worked on it. Not real sure though. That is why I am going by there Monday. He was busy when I called him so ran through it quick

As for the drive train I was planning on beefing up my 904 at the recommendations of members here over the 727 I have. I am also looking at doing the 8.8 conversion. Not sure if that will hold up to a stroker.
 
Having driven my 408 for several years, I can say unequivocally, yes. Hell yes. I have so much fun driving this thing.

I completely agree! We only have about 200 miles on the Duster (408). It is a blast to drive! One blip of the throttle will break the tires loose and bring a smile to your face.
 
Go for it. If the shortblock and internals are good, that is worth the $1500 alone. Save the 340 until you're sure you like it. You could always sell the running 408 if you don't like it. But my bet is you'll love the high torque of the stroker.
 
408 no question. heck, why stop at 400HP shoot for alot more if its in the budget. Mine's way over 500, and the 904 works just fine. Sounds mean, and like someone else said, every time I hit the throttle a smile instantly surfaces. The 8.8 should handle the power if your Dart doesn't have the 8 3/4 now.
 
408 no question. heck, why stop at 400HP shoot for alot more if its in the budget. Mine's way over 500, and the 904 works just fine. Sounds mean, and like someone else said, every time I hit the throttle a smile instantly surfaces. The 8.8 should handle the power if your Dart doesn't have the 8 3/4 now.

Oh if I go with the stroker I will be shooting for a lot more than 400hp.

400hp was just that number that was a little past where my 340 was gonna be and I was wondering what I could do to get it there.
 
I'd say you're already leaning towards the 408. Hopefully its within your budget to build a solid 408. I know mine wasn't cheap.
 
I'd say you're already leaning towards the 408. Hopefully its within your budget to build a solid 408. I know mine wasn't cheap.

Guy in Houston builds race motors.
Well known.
Charges $1,000 to build the stroker.
You do your own homework and bring him your parts.
He will build it and dyno it.
 
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