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400 versus 440

440satellite

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Hey guys, just bought a 69 charger that was originally a 318 car, but now has a 400 in it. Car hasn't run in over 10 years. I am going to pull my 440/727 out of my 71 Satellite and put it in the 69; but have been reading that the 400 is actually a better block. Can anybody give me some input? Sorry, no pics of the 69 yet; it is coming home late next week.
 
No, don't disable one to fix the other. Put a stroker kit in the 400.
 
apparently the 400 has thicker/heavier mains than the 440. have read suggestions that best combo to build would be the 400 block with the 440 crank. My 440 has very low miles since it's rebuild; I'm not ready to pull it apart anytime soon. But I am curious about the 400; never really heard any feedback on it as far as performance especially versus a 440
 
40 cubic inches is 40 cubic inches. A typical street performance build puts out roughly one hp per CI. Advantage-440.

Some 400 blocks were refered to as 'cold weather blocks', cast between certain dates and I couldn't tell you when. Supposedly they were heavier castings.

Here's a good read: http://www.440source.com/blockinfo.htm

I agree with Mr. Belv. Unless the '71 Sat is a real P.O.S. don't pull the 440 to put in the '69. Re-build the 400. If displacement is what you're after (who isn't?) just re-build it with a stroker kit.

Here's some more good reading: http://www.440source.com/strokerkits.htm

It will probably cost you the same, if not more to re-furbish all your old, used parts than it would to buy one of these kits. You'll wind up with a 500+ cubic inch monster that'll make you wish you owned a tire store for the same cost and effort as building a stock 400.
 
No, don't disable one to fix the other. Put a stroker kit in the 400.
Danm skippy!

40 cubic inches is 40 cubic inches. A typical street performance build puts out roughly one hp per CI. Advantage-440.
And even a better point, ft/lbs. of torque. The 440 will make alot more torque and a 500 will top that 440 like shooting a fish in the barrel is easy.

It will probably cost you the same, if not more to re-furbish all your old, used parts than it would to buy one of these kits. You'll wind up with a 500+ cubic inch monster that'll make you wish you owned a tire store for the same cost and effort as building a stock 400.

That is part of the whole equation. (SP?)

To rebuild a 400 as a 400 is going to cost the same as a 440 except;

1. The cost of pistons. There pricey. And ...............

2. The OE rods probably aren't up to snuff. So, straightening them out is a pricey item.

Do they even make a aftermarket rod for the 383/400 short stroke engines?
After market rods from like, lets say,.. oh Eagle or inexpensive and cheaper to purchase the fixing OE rods.

If ya wanna do a 400 as a 400, then go for it.
 
cold weather blocks were cast from jul 71- oct 71 (I have two of them). they have thick mains which are nice if you are going to stroke the engine, but not necessary if you do not plan on doing that.

400 blocks are stronger (if you want to get technical) due to the lower deck height.. its just a structural integrity thing.. dont overanalyze it :D

400 block is good, but in order to make power, you need compression.. and none of them had it.
 
I have read the 400's have more material in the main web area but for what you are going to do who cares? Seriously, why split hairs over some extra metal? Just use the running 440 and be happy.
 
440-400

This comes from Herb McCandless,mopar expert,cast webbing in 440 block lacks the structural integrity to hold the crank in place when your building high horsepower motors,it depends on how good the casting is the question?,he has had many a 440 in the 650hp range come a part on the dyno,again depends just how good the casting is-the 400 just solves this problem!!
 
I agree about not disabling a runner. If you have the 400 and want to go that way, check with 440 source for the 451 stroker kit. Ive heard lots of good things. Even seen a couple deals lately where someone didnt do their build or tore down one they had built. I would get the after market crank. You can have a 440 crank turned but then have to it rehardened from what i understand. If this was a little later i'd have better info as we picked up 2 400's saturday and a friend is going to build the stroker for his 85 4x4
 
I think there's something about the math on the relationship to bore and stroke and weight and rotating mass, etc that makes the 400 with a mild to moderate stroke enhancement (say 451-512) a very good balance and therefore effecient combination. I've even heard refernce to "ideal". IE, more cubes, less weight than a 440 with larger bore and more block material. Put those 440 source Stealth heads on and it's even more efficient. 440 source also has several different pistons in several bores including dished and domed profiles. Rods too. What I don't see too much anymore is the 440 crank with the stock rods, which IIRC yeilds A 444.
 
Wow!! I guess you really don't know unless you ask the question. Guys, thanks for all the input on this; it really opens my eyes as to what a performer a 400 can be. And yes, in reality, I doubt I would ever use more than 500hp to terrorize the local talent ( which my 71 / 440 does a pretty good job at right now ). Thanks again for all your insight!

Don
 
Any 400 block is stronger than a 440 block (assuming they sonic check nearly the same).

If you are going to build from scratch, the 400 block is the only serious way to go for high power, since you have both to choose from.

However, unless you are going to a full race, aftermarket heads, high compression, high RPM, and max displacement engine, the choice is irrelevant.
 
I should be firing up for the first time my 400-499 stroker this weekend all 440 source internals 10.4x1 comp est. eddy heads 88cc. comp cam. hyd. roller, about 580 lift ,proform 950 carb, tti headers 3" pipes with 410 gears and 18 spline (hemi trans) in my 73 RR can anyone tell me what I can expect for power? Torque . times? bout 3,800 lbs. Don't worry #s guys (bagged and tagged orig engine). Thanks Dennis
 
You can build a 451,470,500 or 512 using the 400, or a 500,512,528 or 543 using a 440 block, 440 source has all those kits and they're all the same price $1,997.00 and include: the crank, rods, pistons, rings, bearings and a balance job..I have a 440/512 in my Coronet and it makes 550 H.P. and over 600 ft.lbs of torque.
 
You can also make a 400 run without stroking it. This is my sons Dart with a stock stroke .030 over 400 (406). It has KB pistons and stock Eddy RPM heads that were cut so it has 10.6 comp. He runs the MP .557 cam and the car has 3.91's in it. He has run a best of 11.49 @ 117. Everyone thinks it's stroked but it is not. Course a nice stroker should put it in the 10's with ease. Ron




153054438.jpg
 
Wouldn't be hard to put that Dart into the 10s with that same engine.....
 
I should be firing up for the first time my 400-499 stroker this weekend all 440 source internals 10.4x1 comp est. eddy heads 88cc. comp cam. hyd. roller, about 580 lift ,proform 950 carb, tti headers 3" pipes with 410 gears and 18 spline (hemi trans) in my 73 RR can anyone tell me what I can expect for power? Torque . times? bout 3,800 lbs. Don't worry #s guys (bagged and tagged orig engine). Thanks Dennis

I just dyno'd mine Thursday... Here's the combo:

440 +.040, stroked to 496 with a 440source 4.15 kit
10.44:1 compression, 91 octane pump gas
Holley 1000HP, 84/88 w/o rear p.v.
MP M1 single plane intake
.597/.607 257°/259° @.050 sold flat tappet
Eddie RPM, unported, port machining transitions smoothed/gasket matched
2 1/8"/3.5" TTI headers
MP distributor, 30° total

Result: 609.1HP at 5700, 647.7ft.lb at 4500
 
I just dyno'd mine Thursday... Here's the combo:

440 +.040, stroked to 496 with a 440source 4.15 kit
10.44:1 compression, 91 octane pump gas
Holley 1000HP, 84/88 w/o rear p.v.
MP M1 single plane intake
.597/.607 257°/259° @.050 sold flat tappet
Eddie RPM, unported, port machining transitions smoothed/gasket matched
2 1/8"/3.5" TTI headers
MP distributor, 30° total

Result: 609.1HP at 5700, 647.7ft.lb at 4500


My build is very similar to yours:
440+.060,decked .020,stroked to 500 or so,440source 4.150 flat top kit
11.00:1, 93 octane pump gas
Hughes Engines Inc. Eddie RPM 84cc prepped heads (same work as yours)
Hughes victor 440 deep port matched intake
Hughes flat tappet solid cam, 618/626 256°/260° @.050 installed @ 104°
Hughes rocker shafts & 1.6 roller rockers
950 proform race carb 78/84 3.5 power valve Holley blue pump
MSD 6al, blaster 2, pro billet dizzy 8.5 super wires ,38° total timing
2 1/8" / 3 1/2" headers, x pipe,3 1/2"exhaust ,flowmasters , dumps
I would love to know what mine makes. I was guessing arround 650 or so.
 
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