edvancedengines

As far as I am concerned 3.875 is the practicle limit. 4.00 is just too much and too much hassel. Doing the 6 inch rod and 4 inch stroke makes the piston compression ht to be too short which also makes a real short ring stack.

Ed

davebat

Oh and rabidawg, you need a left nut? Have 1 to trade for that engine.....SWEET!

gearhead37683

ED,
thanks for your input. if i was to go with a .030 bore on the 400 and use a 3.875 stroke crank with 6 inch rods what cubic inch motor would i have.i really want a engine that will be streetable as well as run on the strip.so thanks to everyone that has responded so far,and i hope to hear more wonderful opinions and ideals from you seasoned veterns that know engine building
thanks

davebat

420.3 CI, this is based on 4.155 bore and the stroke of 3.875, the rod length does not effect the CI, but does allow for the use of cheaper gas as pistons stay at top dead center longer.
Your chambers also will effect the CI

gearhead37683

thanks for the info davebat i appreciate all the help i can get on this subject,i have never built a large cubic inch sbc before
also will the block need any clearancing for that 3.875 stroke crank? also what would be the most cost affective crank to go with i would at least like to get a good name brand i can trust like eagle, any ideas what i would be looking to pay for a good 3.875 crank for the 400
thanks for the help

davebat

Don't know about clearance. The callies compstar is a good inexpensive crank. Just looking them up at competition Products site

davebat

Just ordered the 3.625 stroke compstar crank myself. Wish me luck!

gearhead37683

i hope that crank works well for you

Pwmax

My advice, first off, listen to what Ed said, if you use a 400 block. With that said, I would use a Dart 9.325 spread pan rain, raised cam block, and build a 434, or 440 or, with a 4inch crank, or use a 4.125 crank for 447 inches, or 454 inches with the 4.185 bore. This block eliminates all the negatives, to a stroker crank in a stock 9 inch block. Way easier to clearance the pan rails area, just needs a litte touch up for the rod bolts, the cam is up out of the way, and, get the BBC cam journal block while your at it, that eliminates the issue of cam to rod interfearance, and the extra deck height, allows for a 6.2 or 6.250 rod, whith a good ring stack on the piston. Plus, in my opinion, stock 400 blocks are junk. Unless you fill them to the bottom of the water pump holes, plug the big deck holes, put billet caps on all 5 mains, they are an eggshell for big power. For a mild street or bracket engine, they work fine, using the stock stroke, and 5.7 length rods, they can be brutal street/strip engines, but, definately have their limits

Frank
Advanced Performance
www.get-ap.com

edvancedengines

Ok' I wish you luck.

Why in the world ?

You want big cube SB and buy a smaller than factory crank?

Ed