Building a 400

[ewatts94ram]

Hey all. I am thinking about buying a bare block, untouched 400 BB. I was wondering how easily parts are available for the 400, and also how easily you can make good power under a tight budget. Thanks.

Eric

[BJSracing]

Parts for that motor aren't the hardest to come by. It isn't to expensive to make a 1 to 1 motor. All you have to do if think about what you really want out of this motor.

[DartGT66]

Starting with a bare block very seldom makes a good tight budget engine.

[Dukes2fast]

Originally Posted by DartGT66

Starting with a bare block very seldom makes a good tight budget engine.

I'll definately agree there. I started a "budget" build over two years ago. I finally gave up on the budget...but not the build!! It should be back on the road soon.

[Shaun]

I have to agree with the fellas,Eric. Starting with a bare block will run you in the range of $4000 to $6000 to do it right. You may want to consider a crate engine-say Ray Barton or...
Shaun

[Stoga]

Biggest problem with building a 400 is the low compression. If you can find decent pistons, it's basically the same as building a bored out 383.
Also, there's some nice kits out there these days to put a 440 crank in a 400 to make a 451. By the time you buy pistons and fool around with that, you may be ahead to buy a complete rotating assembly instead.
Muscle Motors makes them, and there are others.

[custom880]

There are lots of choices and aftermarket stuff for the 400. Remember the 400 is the same as a 383, 361. You can put a forged crank in one, or cast. Just about everyone makes pistons for it. Ross makes a nice forged, or you can get KB pistons which are a better piston than stock but not as good as forged. Heads are easy, any big block head will work. Intake is the same as a 383 and the 400 can take a pretty big carb. It all depneds on what you want to do and how fast you want to go.

[ewatts94ram]

Ok how about this. I found a 413 Wedge that came out of a motorhome that has only 65,000 miles on it. It was just pulled out last weekend, and ran like a champ when it was pulled. They guy wants $350 for it. I don't really know anything about Big Block Mopars, so I don't really know what to do. I think it sounds like a great deal, but do not know how much power these engine have, where the power band is at, how high they rev, etc... So what do you think? Thanks again.

Eric

[custom880]

What year 413? 60's vintage or 70's. A motorhome engine could be from the 70's. The car 413 engines were made up to 65, or 66. The 413 is the same basic engine as the 440 with smaller pistons. 350.00 for a complete 413 is a very good deal. If it is a 70's model motorhome engine don't expect to much performance. Those engines were set up for torque. The compression ratio in the 70's engies dropped quite a bit. I am not sure about the 60's motorhome engines. But a complete 413 is a good deal.