This is mainly to get a few opinions on how to configure my 400. First I'm going to be using a worldcastings or a dart block. Which is the better one to get since they are both within $200 of each other? Second, both blocks are available with 350 or 400 main bearing sizes. Which one has a wider selection of cranks available? Should I run 5.7 or 6.0 rods? This is going to be used as a street engine for at least 90% of the time so I would like to get 80K miles out of it.

 

Well it's your money, but I wouldn't bother getting a Dart block if I didn't plan on getting radical, but that's me.

That being said, there's a few setups I know of to use with one of those blocks....they can be bored/stroked to a 427. I may be wrong but it seems I've heard of making a 454 with one of the aftermarket SB's also.

But 80K miles on those setups??? I don't think so. Sure would be a blast if you could afford enough gas to drive it 90% on the street!! lol

 

How radical are you wanting to get? Is there any reason you are goind with an aftermarket block, is it because you can't find a 400 block or do you want to stroke it to 427+? I used 5.7 rods in my 400, you can use 6.0 but I think the oil control ring might be down around the wrist pin, there's debate on if that hurts perfromance and oil consumption. I had to grind on the back side of the rod bolts to clear the cam. If I had used cap screw rods I wouldn't have any problems at all. As far as crankshafts go I think the most options are for the 400 main 5.7 rod versions, I could be wrong though. There's a bunch of parts out there.

If it's a street engine and you want 80k miles out of it, it's going to be next to impossible to make it radical and have good longevity, I'm not saying it can't be done.

Good luck.

 

I'm wanting to use a aftermarket block since I'm having trouble finding a block. I'm planning to make it a mild setup that wont spend much time past 5000 rpm, but that may change due to the fact that I have 2 cars.

 

If you are not going to spin it past 5000rpm it will be a tame engine with lots of tourqe if you pick the cam right. I think the 5.7 rod would give you the most choices as far as crank's and pistons. You could get lucky and find a complete 400 like I did, I did get pretty lucky though, I got it for 200 bucks and it was running. I tore it down and was glad I did because a ring had broken and scratched the cylinder wall badly. Finding a complete engine would be the cheapest way, then you would have the block and crank, buy a set of recondition rods from northern automotive performance with good bolts for 100 bucks(thats what I have in mine)a set of KB pistons, $286, a complete rebuild kit from northern automotive, I think it was around 165, plus machine work and you'd have a good bottom end for what you are wanting to do with it. Heck thats the bottom end I have and I spin it to 6k all the time.

Good luck
Jason

 

You're in Texas and you can't find a 400 block?!? There are several sources for them in the Southwest where shipping won't kill you.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33613

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33615

There's at least two others currently on eBay. Here's another good source.

http://www.racersauction.com

PM me...I'm going to Houston during Spring break. I might be able to land one for you.

 

I just found out that I might be able to get a complete running 400 (standard bore) from pan to intake for $500. It would be from a friend in Colorado but it may be worth it still to look into.