400 rebulid or a 440

[dabs73]

I have a 73 400 with a 727, should I rebuild the 400 or switch over to a 440?  I don't see too much talk of rebuilding the 400 so I was just curious to what is the best way to go.  I'm looking for something with some get up and go, I'm not going to race it's going to be my weekend toy.

thanks,
dabs73

[Ghoste]

The 400's make an excellent base to build a realatively cheap and killer stroker motor but if you want a fun reliable and cheap build, sell the 400 to someone who wants to do a stroker and put the money into the 440.

[max]

i would use the 400 then find a used 440 crank and buy a set of pistons and make a 451 stroker engine. they are a cheap engine to build and in the long run you would probablly have the same money in it as you would with a stock 440.

here is a link that might be helpfull for buying the pistons and other parts that you need and they have some nice prices as well. http://www.440source.com/

[cudaken]

 Parts cost the same for a 400 or a 440, if you can find a 440 that would be the way to go.

When the 451 was new i was going to bulid one. Shop talked me out of it, said they where peaky and did not make good street motors. But that was 17 years ago.

                            Cuda Ken

[max]

here is a nice artical on the 451 but since this artical has come out you can build a 451 in 2 versions.

1) with a 440 crank and 400 rods which makes a good street engine.

2) with a 440 crank and 440 rods which reduces the size of piston skirts which means less friction.

http://www.arengineering.com/articles/articleframe.html

and alot of what has been mentioned in the artical makes very good since in both performance and strength.

[original72]

just swapped from a 400 to a 440..... basically cause i found a 440 long block completely rebuilt for $1500 but will be holding onto the 400 block and other parts that didnt swap over since it is numbers matching to the car..... but i would say go to a 440.... easier to find parts for.... especially used like intakes and such....

Bill

[dabs73]

Thanks for all the advice, I will probably go with the stroker since I already have the block.  I'm sure I will have more questions as I get going with it.  Thanks again, if there are any other thoughts please let me know.

dabs73