Bare Bones Budget 400 Build

-
Had a bad day today. Felt bad all day long, but Kitty helped me get the block on the stand tonight. May do another video in a few days.
 
That heat will zap yeah, Rob. I was welding out in the Georgia heat today for an hr or so fixing a friends lawn mower. I was drenched in sweat.
 
^^^ Sweat if good wahes out all the bad impuriteis!!!! Ya right! It aint hot and humid till your socks get wet from sweat running down your legs!!???

Other day it was plenty hot and humid and I had sweated a lot. I asked the wife if I stunk, she said no,"You just smell moldy!!" Thanks woman!
 
make sure you install a nasty dirty , oil pump and use AMC lifters, we want less than 20 pounds of oil pressure LOL
seriously though, I think an actual price tally for parts is in order. I've put together good running big blocks for less than a grand. I will definitely be following this
 
It's a nice grind, but too big for what I am wanting, plus it will require a dual spring which is more money yet.
I just put that very same cam, small block version, in a 340. I called Comp and asked them to tighten up the 110 to a 108. The fee was minimal.
But I agree, for what you were saying you want, that cam is a bit of a whopper by compare.
0A105A14-BFBE-4CB9-86DF-BF2A44999470.jpeg
 
make sure you install a nasty dirty , oil pump and use AMC lifters, we want less than 20 pounds of oil pressure LOL
seriously though, I think an actual price tally for parts is in order. I've put together good running big blocks for less than a grand. I will definitely be following this

That's actually my goal to spend 1K or less. I'm hopin for less. LOL I'll sit down some time this week and tally up a total "so far".
 
I have wanted to do a stock stroke 400 for years.Even on the cheap I would mill the heads and do as much porting as I could.I like the old Lunati streetmaster grinds.I just put the smallest one in my low compression 360 truck motor.
The smallest big block one I see is 225 @.050 on a 108.Advance it enough and it may be ok.
 
I just put that very same cam, small block version, in a 340. I called Comp and asked them to tighten up the 110 to a 108. The fee was minimal.
But I agree, for what you were saying you want, that cam is a bit of a whopper by compare.
View attachment 1715550153

It's a bit of a whopper, but guess what? That's what it's gettin. @Tsully is sendin it to me and won't take no for an answer.......so the Valiant will sound nasty. LOL

@DrEamer is also sending a load of stuff another member has graciously paid for, so this project is getting a lot of support.
I have wanted to do a stock stroke 400 for years.Even on the cheap I would mill the heads and do as much porting as I could.I like the old Lunati streetmaster grinds.I just put the smallest one in my low compression 360 truck motor.
The smallest big block one I see is 225 @.050 on a 108.Advance it enough and it may be ok.

Well I would do that if I was not limited by space to manifolds. Really no sense in any porting to turn around and choke it off with manifolds.
 
All I was able to do today is measure the crank. 2.623 on the mains (std.) and 2.362 on the rods (.020). I already had .010 mains in the block I got from Roy and .std. rod bearings form an old project, but oh well. LOL At least the crank is "usable".
 
All I was able to do today is measure the crank. 2.623 on the mains (std.) and 2.362 on the rods (.020). I already had .010 mains in the block I got from Roy and .std. rod bearings form an old project, but oh well. LOL At least the crank is "usable".
Hey Rob. That crank should match the main bearings. When I bought that block the crank was in it. I’m ashamed to say it was spotless and spun real smooth back then.
 
Hey Rob. That crank should match the main bearings. When I bought that block the crank was in it. I’m ashamed to say it was spotless and spun real smooth back then.

It does.....but I am almost positive it's gonna need turning. I'm gonna try to save it.
 
Yeah I’m sorry. My intentions with that block was to build a 451 with a 440 crank. So I wasn’t to concern with that crank.
What about the other 400 you got from me? The crank I mean.
 
Yeah I’m sorry. My intentions with that block was to build a 451 with a 440 crank. So I wasn’t to concern with that crank.
What about the other 400 you got from me? The crank I mean.

Naw man, it's all good. I got way more than I paid for. I'm happy with it. Yeah that first crank is fine. It's std mains and .020 rods and will go like it is.
 
I’m headed to Perry Saturday but the compressor will have to wait till next trip. I have a load of parts going north.
 
@DrEamer is also sending a load of stuff another member has graciously paid for, so this project is getting a lot of support.

I'm glad to be part of this if just in a small way. Like I said in my other thread, there is about the Mopar community that stands out above the rest. I wish you were closer, I have a 400 crank that I would just give you, but for the price of shipping, you can machine what you have.
 
I’m headed to Perry Saturday but the compressor will have to wait till next trip. I have a load of parts going north.

That's fine. It would be a little strain on us right now anyway. Next month will be a lot better.
 
I'm glad to be part of this if just in a small way. Like I said in my other thread, there is about the Mopar community that stands out above the rest. I wish you were closer, I have a 400 crank that I would just give you, but for the price of shipping, you can machine what you have.

OR find a steel 383 crank possibly. We'll "see" what happens. Lots of time yet.
 
And I'll throw this out there......I've got a real nice 440 steel crank standard on the rods and mains and in good shape. I'd trade it for a 383/400 steel crank in just as good a shape. I was going 451 with this, but since the stock 400 pistons came out in such good shape, they're gettin used and I'm savin that money.
 
Key word right there! Useable! Home run baby!

Yeah but you know.....I got to thinkin about a couple of things. I gotta find a steel 383 crank. I don't think Mopar ever made an external balanced flywheel for a 383/400, plus that would also solve my pilot bushing issue. No biggie. Not like I'm in a hurry. It's fixin to be a runnin car again soon as I stick the mannyfolds back on it.
 
-
Back
Top