What to do with a 400

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1973_440_DUSTER

1973_440_DUSTER

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So I got this truck I was told it had a 440 in and when I got it and started really digging I discovered it's a 400. I've heard you can do a lot with a 400 and make a 451 stroker and such, only if you have deep pockets haha. I at the moment don't have the funds for a complete machine and rebuild for my duster. What could I do for a budget type build with this motor for now? I want to go fast and do burnouts basically right now. Down the road I like a street drag car but I can't afford a stroker build. What do you guys suggest. Should I look for a 440 or what?
 
My guess, not personal experience, is that a 440 is going to cost more than a stroked 400. Kind of like having a 360 in house, and deciding to go out and find a 340.
 
A 400 will do what you say you want.The have good enough heads.Things to look for is the "right" cam for a low compression engine.Something for "torque" and not high RPM.Then burn those tires away.Check with Hughes Engines for a cam.
 
Find a 440 steel crank, turn the mains down to 400 size, turn throws down to7.250. I think it's 2.625 if memory serves me right. Buy a set of pistons like Ross 99496 which are shelf stock You'll have a nice short block that will make good power.
 
This is the song your 400 is singing to you - listen, and you'll hear it:

[ame]https://youtu.be/69fPof-ZTnU?t=1[/ame]
 
Does the 400 crank and run right now. What kind of condition is it in? Does it need a total rebuild?
 
Ya have to define what "fast" is to you. Burnouts are easy enough..... 400 will do good service, I started working with one in a short bed D150. I was impressed for what it was.........
 
I did a small rebuild (top end) on a 400 and put it in the wifes 69 coronet. It was faster than my 383hp 69 charger. With cam, lifters, head work and timing chain, etc. it cost around $1400. it would smoke the tires awesome with a 323 suregrip.
 
I vote for stroking it to 500 ci. If you're considering stroking it, you might as well.
 
SGBARRACUDA said:
Find a 440 steel crank, turn the mains down to 400 size, turn throws down to7.250. I think it's 2.625 if memory serves me right. Buy a set of pistons like Ross 99496 which are shelf stock You'll have a nice short block that will make good power.
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yup.Or a set of cheap Kb hypers.Can even use factory rods.
 
Go see IQ52s thread in this forum. Its called Dyno a 7.5 to 1 400? Sure, why not? The biggest issue with the 400 is that you're stuck with low compression unless you start spending plenty to change that. Now as far as being "stuck with a 400", that's not a bad thing at all. Lots of guys are looking for 400 blocks to build strokers, the 400 block is better than the 440 block. Bigger bores and usually more beef in the main webs than 440 blocks PLUS since the 400 is a B engine its low deck unlike the 440 which is an RB tall deck. That means its a better fit in an A body engine bay. My view is this; depending on what you're trying to do, the 440 costs less to build if you're aiming for 400 to 500 hp because the 440 already has enough stroke to get their easily. With that said you may want to see if someone wants to trade a 440 for your 400. If you're not worried about getting over 400 hp the stock stroke 400 is fine.
 
My stock 400 4bbl charger would easy out run my 383 roadrunner both had 3.23 gears. Never got beat by a stock 383 and beat a couple 440s. shave the heads .050 and intake side .060 and run a hughes wiplash cam or 268 extreme should run good. Use .020 shim head gaskets. If the bores are good do rings and bearings. Cheap build to get you by till you get money for the stroker.
 
It runs and drives pretty well. I need to pull the plugs on it and see what's up. I've just heard they don't have a good compresion, but I've heard as well you can build em to be crazy but that takes a lot of money like 10k to 12k
 
I had a 400 in an old 69 satellite low comp. motor put a comp extreme 268 cam rpm intake and a set of headers woke that old terd right up one tire fire for ever it was fun as hell mostly because the car was shot and we didn't care man we beat the sh-t out of that thing:burnout:
 
I wouldn't say stroking is necessary, people pay big bucks to make a small block 400 plus cid.

400 vs 440 they pretty much have the same bore the main difference is deck height the 440 is really too tall for under 500 cid engine making the 400 better for sub 500 cid. A 451 stroker is basically a bore out 440 but cause of it shorter decks the engine weights less and less bobweight cause of the shorter pistons in a slight smaller package.

Do you need to stroke your 400 to make power. No you don't it's just gonna move the powerband up 600 plus rpm over a similar 440. But saying that it only cost a little more to drop a 440 crank into 383/400 making it worth while unless budget is very strict.
 
273 said:
I wouldn't say stroking is necessary, people pay big bucks to make a small block 400 plus cid.

400 vs 440 they pretty much have the same bore the main difference is deck height the 440 is really too tall for under 500 cid engine making the 400 better for sub 500 cid. A 451 stroker is basically a bore out 440 but cause of it shorter decks the engine weights less and less bobweight cause of the shorter pistons in a slight smaller package.

Do you need to stroke your 400 to make power. No you don't it's just gonna move the powerband up 600 plus rpm over a similar 440. But saying that it only cost a little more to drop a 440 crank into 383/400 making it worth while unless budget is very strict.
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In my car now it has a slant 6. I want my duster to have a good get up and go and burn out pretty nice. I'm not on a strict budget but I can't afford to build a stroker, maybe down the road I'd like to, I just want to get this engine running good and faster and drop it in my car and enjoyment I don't want to spend my whole life building it and never get to drive it you know just looking for reasonably cheaper
 
1973_440_DUSTER said:
In my car now it has a slant 6. I want my duster to have a good get up and go and burn out pretty nice. I'm not on a strict budget but I can't afford to build a stroker, maybe down the road I'd like to, I just want to get this engine running good and faster and drop it in my car and enjoyment I don't want to spend my whole life building it and never get to drive it you know just looking for reasonably cheaper
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I'm sure you'd find it fast dead stock, cam headers and air gap can get squeeze out a lot of hp.
But right now you can get away with 4bbl and duels.
 
Tell ya what,Is the slant in good running shape ? If we can agree on a price I will take the slant and tranny (auto?) when you get it pulled out.Let me know.
 
Darter6 said:
Tell ya what,Is the slant in good running shape ? If we can agree on a price I will take the slant and tranny (auto?) when you get it pulled out.Let me know.
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I actually have plans of putting the /6 in a 27 ford roadster I'm building to build a cruiser
 
finding a steel 440 crank and having it turned into a "stroker" with 400 mains and shaved throws will be more expensive than buying an Eagle cast 451 Stroker crank (no longer in catalog) , plenty strong and all the machine work is done. Get some KB 215's and use your old 400 rods. will still balance out with no metal added. 400 bore is considerably larger than the 440, thats why they use 'em.
 
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