Finally found 400 block of my dream!

[Pouria]

After 2 years of searching almost all the junk yards around I finally found the 400 block I was looking for. Do not become surprized, mopar parts are toooooo rare here in Iran. 318s and 6cyls are everywhere but big blocks and in particular 400 is very rare. It is a 74 block with standard bore size that had a 2barrel carb from stock so it didn;t experience extreme stress in its previous life (let me warm my heart at least). It seems to be a clean item but the bad news is that one of the rods was brocken and damaged the very lower edge of two cylinders. I showed the block to two expert mechanics and both confirmed that it cant be a problem even if stroker engine is to be made. Another bad news is that there is no sonic test facilities around and I am unable to measure the wall thickness but I wana trust it becasue I have read many articles saying that 400block is the strongest block of all Mopar big blocks ever. Below are some pictures with explanations:

http://img.majidonline.com/pic/232685/DSC00242.JPG
Lower deck of the block
http://img.majidonline.com/pic/232686/DSC00246.JPG
Cranck retainer number 2
http://img.majidonline.com/pic/232687/DSC00248.JPG
Crank retainer number 3
http://img.majidonline.com/pic/232690/DSC00259.JPG
Block casting number
http://img.majidonline.com/pic/232691/DSC00261.JPG
Block date code
http://img.majidonline.com/pic/232692/DSC00266.JPG
Tranny's casting number. On the rectangular plate it reads PP833 3388 and the letters on the right side are not very clear but I guessed 7G235273 and 00 14 below it!
http://img.majidonline.com/pic/232693/DSC00268.JPG
Tranny's tail casting number
http://img.majidonline.com/pic/232695/DSC00269.JPG
Tranny's other side casting number. Can anybody give me some information about this tranny? What is the model year, gear ratios and etc? It was on the car when I purchased it but the car was originally equipped with a 727 and the previous owner exchanged it with this 4 speed and so I know nothing about its history
http://img.majidonline.com/pic/232699/DSC00272.JPG
The damaged edges of the two upper cylinders. Any comments on this?
http://img.majidonline.com/pic/232700/DSC00273.JPG
Someone tells me what this rod that goes to the cam is used for.

I am looking forward your useful replies ASAP.

Pouria

[John_Kunkel]

On the rectangular plate it reads PP833 3388 and the letters on the right side are not very clear but I guessed 7G235273 and 00 14 below it!

3388 is the build date November 6, 1970 which makes it a '71 model year. The "7" in the partial VIN is actually a "1", "G" is the plant code for the St. Louis plant.

Someone tells me what this rod that goes to the cam is used for.

That's the fuel pump pushrod.

You will find additional engine build data stamped in the machined flat along side the distributor.

[Challenger340]

Congratulations on the find, you must be very happy !

The Block looks alright, the dings in the bottom of the Cylinders doesn't appear to have gone anywhere,
however,
you may wish to get it magnafluxed for Cracks, just to be sure, no Cracks from those dings go "up" the Cylinders.

Nice find !

[Pouria]

Thanks for the info. Is there anything decodable on that flat area of the block? I know where it is but need to go to garage to write it down. Magnaflux, huh? Great idea, let me try to see if I can find a good one around. YES! I am VERY VERY happy

Pouria

[tan top]

good find on te 400 block , they are difficult to come by now 

[451-74Charger]

I got 3 sitting in my shed, a 73, 75 and 76 block.
All stripped down to bare blocks.
I am planning on using the 73 block, 76 heads (452) and the TQ 4bbl intake that happened to be on one of the engines when i bought it.
I have a Forged 440 crank to drop in too to make a nice little screamer.

[tan top]

   , sounds like you have a lot of raw material  , for some stroker motors