400 Big Block A Turd

[magnumminded]

Just wondering if there is much difference stock to stock from a late 400 to a 440. Obiviously, I am trying to find a 440 that will be going into the "Joe Mudd" project.
I already have the 400 sitting in the storage unit and not interested in building a stroker currently. It has a mild build 318 with a K6900 Summit Cam, Edelbrock Intake and Headers with 600 cfm carburetor and electronic ignition back by a 904 and 2.76 gears.
Just wondering if the 400 would a turd compared to the mild 318 which is a 68block non rebuilt and high mileage btw. Plan on switching to 3.55 gears and wonder how it would compare to the current 318? How would it compare to a 440 of similiar vintage?
Also, not interested in rebuilding since they are low mileage engines other than the 318 other than an intake and timing chain and gaskets and new distributor.

 

[Patrick]

A 400 has the short stroke of a 383 and a bigger bore than a 440. If you build a 383, 400 and 440 [been there done this] the same the 383 and 440 get lost in the dust. That short stroke will stomp a 440 off the line [just like a 383 will] but at about 70 feet when a 440 would pass a 383. That big bore 400 is just getting started and a 440 can't catch it. If you use a 383 crank and harmonic balancer you can run 440 converters and flywheels with no vibration problems. The 400 cast crank is external balenced, while the 383's forged still crank is internal balanced.

 

[the wall]

it would take a ton of work on a 318 to keep up with a 400. the 400 is no 440 but its a way better performer then a 318. im sure there are 318s out there that really hall the mail but

 

[Cranky]

400's were low compression and so were the later 440's and 318's were all low compression. The earlier 383's and 440's all ran pretty darn good but with a little bit of help with mostly bolt on parts, they all can run strong. As for a 318 taking a ton of work to keep up? Not really. A buddy and I threw a few parts at a teen in a 72 Demon and it runs 13.50 and it has lower than stock compression. It's a dog off the line but it runs 102 mph in the 1/4....and how many big blocks have you seen people struggle with to break into the 13's? But small blocks in heavy cars with highway gears isn't a very good mix for going fast from a stand still. That does better with the long arm 440.

 

[1badgtx]

that turd 400 will make an awesome stroker motor....I,m on the hunt for just the block...
Petty Blue 67 gTx

 

[Meep-Meep]

It all comes down to compression and displacement and the 400 were all low compression engines thus should not be over cammed, and since you will run them stock you may see a nice improvement with all things being equal. The late 440's are the same way.

Getting off the line has to do with torque and a .375" difference in stroke length has nothing to do with it. What does make a difference is the total displacement gained by that .375" difference in stroke length (times 8) or ~50 cubes. Sure you can build a 383 to open up some whoop *** on a 440 (I used to do it all the time) but all else being equal that 440 will win. I am doing more with less engine by running a mild 440 vs. my old hot rod 383.

I also believe this is why they didn't sell a lot of HEMI cars. Not only the price factor but when the average Joe test drove the 440 HP vs. the HEMI the performance of the 440 was pretty darn good enough without having to spend the ~$700.00. Then you throw in the 440+6 and the gap is even less. What the HEMI had over just about anything else out there was the POTENTIAL to make gobs of power because of those heads. Those things just don't know when to stop flowing air.

 

[67 B-body]

It all comes down to compression and displacement and the 400 were all low compression engines thus should not be over cammed, and since you will run them stock you may see a nice improvement with all things being equal. The late 440's are the same way.

Getting off the line has to do with torque and a .375" difference in stroke length has nothing to do with it. What does make a difference is the total displacement gained by that .375" difference in stroke length (times 8) or ~50 cubes. Sure you can build a 383 to open up some whoop *** on a 440 (I used to do it all the time) but all else being equal that 440 will win. I am doing more with less engine by running a mild 440 vs. my old hot rod 383.

I also believe this is why they didn't sell a lot of HEMI cars. Not only the price factor but when the average Joe test drove the 440 HP vs. the HEMI the performance of the 440 was pretty darn good enough without having to spend the ~$700.00. Then you throw in the 440+6 and the gap is even less. What the HEMI had over just about anything else out there was the POTENTIAL to make gobs of power because of those heads. Those things just don't know when to stop flowing air.

With that being said, a 440 with new era heads can realy run!!!!! 650hp is a realistic number!

 

[Cranky]

The 400 block has a lot of things going for it that the 440 block doesn't have like shorter deck height means the cylinder walls are more rigid, main webs are more beefy, larger bores, and the package as a whole is more compact and a tad lighter....

 

[67 B-body]

The 400 block has a lot of things going for it that the 440 block doesn't have like shorter deck height means the cylinder walls are more rigid, main webs are more beefy, larger bores, and the package as a whole is more compact and a tad lighter....

And yet everyone strokes there engines? I'll take the cubes any day with good modern heads and compression.

 

[Cranky]

And yet everyone strokes there engines? I'll take the cubes any day with good modern heads and compression.

Yup, I used to think that way too but not so much anymore. I used to pay attention to the Competition Eliminator class and see all these really little engines running really fast and when a buddy of mine put a 265 Chevy together for a 56 shoebox and ran low 11's with it in SS/O, I started to forget about the strokers lol

 

[67 B-body]

I look at it like this. The 426 Hemi is still a dominate platform today for serious drag racing. The 440 and 426 Hemi share an awful lot of the same dimensions internaly, so I "believe" that a person can run a standard stroke 440 with new aged high flow, low cc heads and a good camshaft then go out and realy do numbers against the competition. I choose to use a main girdle to help with the lower end in mine.
I guess once I get the new camshaft in mine, I'll be able to test that theory..LOL. I'll let everyone know what numbers it runs by August..... I hope!!!!

 

[Meep-Meep]

With that being said, a 440 with new era heads can realy run!!!!! 650hp is a realistic number!

Without a doubt!!

 

[Meep-Meep]

Yup, I used to think that way too but not so much anymore. I used to pay attention to the Competition Eliminator class and see all these really little engines running really fast and when a buddy of mine put a 265 Chevy together for a 56 shoebox and ran low 11's with it in SS/O, I started to forget about the strokers lol

My old drag race buddy told me he used to run one of those cars in the mid 60's. He had a 292 hooked to a 60 lb flywheel and that got him out of the hole pretty well. He also said he used to break those Chebby rear ends so bad you didn't have to unbolt them to take them out

 

[67 B-body]

My old drag race buddy told me he used to run one of those cars in the mid 60's. He had a 292 hooked to a 60 lb flywheel and that got him out of the hole pretty well. He also said he used to break those Chebby rear ends so bad you didn't have to unbolt them to take them out

LOL,,, I was at the Halloween Classics one year with the 69 Road Runner. During one of the days they came over the loud speaker and DEMANDED that the GM guys raise the rear of their cars and warm up the rear ends before racing! They were tired of the Chevy's laying gear lube on the track!!! LOL
No mention of the Mopar or Ford guys....... :violent-smiley-100:

 

[Cranky]

My old drag race buddy told me he used to run one of those cars in the mid 60's. He had a 292 hooked to a 60 lb flywheel and that got him out of the hole pretty well. He also said he used to break those Chebby rear ends so bad you didn't have to unbolt them to take them out

Yup, but in SS/O, you were allowed to run any rear. My buddy used a Dana 60. The class also allowed any transmission but only allowed you to use 3 gears since that was what the car came with. His car had a 5 speed and he also used a heavy flywheel to get that tank off the line. Launched at 9500! But you had to use stock head castings and carb and intake but the cam was wide open. Strange rules lol Uh, sorry this thread got off track...

 

[74sundance]

1972 hp torq carb
Motor
318 150 2602bbl
400 190 3102bbl
400 225 340 4bbl
440 225 345 2bbl
440 245 3604bbl
440 330 410 3x2bbl

1974
Motor hp torq carb
318 150 255 2bbl
400 185 315 2bbl
400 250 330 4bbl
440 230 350 2bbl
440 275 375 4bbl
http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?t=8713

 

[YY1]

What were those 440 2 barrels in? I've never seen one. Not even in motor homes.

 

[bbcharger71]

I think the 400's don't get the credit they deserve. Just like 67 B-body said about the 440 vs the Hemi. Yeah the Hemi will ultimately have more power potential but for the money, you can't beat the 440. Same goes with the 400 vs. 440. Ultimately you'll have more power potential with the 440, but why go get another motor when you already have a good 400. Plus I believe the 400 will handle more abuse being a shorter stroke and having a thicker block.

 

[racedodge]

I LOVE 400's!!!! I have two thick main web 1971 casting 400 blocks that I am saving just for something in the future.

 

[magnumminded]

Thanks guys I appreciate all the responses. I'll just stick with what I got right now. I was thinking of getting a 440 from a member here but, with things going on I'll just hold out. Thanks again.