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Big Block Mopar 400 Build Series:Prepping for Rods, Rings, and Pistons
This is part two of the full build series. The goal here is to show an inexpensive way of turning a smog 400 big block Mopar engine into a pump gas friendly, 10/1 bracket race motor that will make 500 horsepower. The challenging part is that I am keeping the stock crankshaft with short 3.35 stroke, inexpensive rods, pistons, and 10/1 compression. Follow along as this engine makes it's way on a dyno.
This video includes checking rod bearing clearance, weight matching rods and pistons, and figuring ring end gap.
For more great engine builds and machining content, Check Out @edsmachine93.
For information on how to BUILD YOUR HEMI, check out @rickseeman5679 and @rickseeman
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Пікірлер: 127
Great video Joe. Glad you are checking the parts, as you should. As the engine builder, never assume things are correct regardless who does the machining. Also, the collaboration between the shop and the individual is important. Over the years working with many builders of engines I have found some individuals require or desire to have different specs and tolerances. In which I try to accommodate within reason to the individual needs. The goal of the customer is important. To achieve a positive outcome. To add, the large end of the rod is rotating weight and the little end in reciprocating weight. Piston and pin are reciprocating and snap ring and or Spiro locks are reciprocating. Rod bearings are rotating. I like watching and listening to you Joe. You're a good teacher. And you add a level of professionalism to your builds. Following steps like these will insure success and a positive outcome. I will be watching and glued to this whole process. Can't weight to hear the 400 Mopar run. Thanks again. Take care, Ed.
@johnelliott7375
Жыл бұрын
You must be good for Old JMK to speak so highly of you and your work. Great day to you all.
@edsmachine93
Жыл бұрын
@@johnelliott7375 Thanks John. Thanks for watching. Take care, Ed.
@MyKARSShop
Жыл бұрын
Wish you were a little closer. But, when I - eventually - get to building that 426 wedge… I might make a trip. 😊
@edsmachine93
Жыл бұрын
@@MyKARSShop Hello Mike, I assume you were talking to me? If you were, I would love to do a 426. Is it a Wedge? Take care, Ed.
@MyKARSShop
Жыл бұрын
@@edsmachine93 yes. It’s a 413 marine engine that I wanna punch out if it’s salvageable. It’s a boat anchor right now. There are a couple episodes on it from this year.
Congratulations on the No Name Nationalals win! Was a pleasure talking to you!
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks brother! It was a good down home experience to meet the people!
I still think the 400 block is the best Mopar platform to build. (For the money) And to think of all the 400's I passed on when I was young and dumb.
@matthewklein9225
Жыл бұрын
Only because I hate to see things wasted I ended up saving more 400's than 440's. Complete accident
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Jason. This is the first 400 I’ve buiilt. Always 383’s, 413, or 440’s.
@ferdinandcuevas8457
Жыл бұрын
Just like We did with the 383 which has the same stroke but a small bore the 400 has the largest bore ever used in a Mopar stock production block will spin up fast they are happy at hi rpm's and hold up extremely well ! 🇺🇲🇵🇷🦊👍
@karlsracing8422
Жыл бұрын
Guys are making 800+ hp with these .
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
@@ferdinandcuevas8457 that’s what I’m hoping for. Should be a fun one with a solid roller cam.
I like the perfection of your building a motor.
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks John!
@johnelliott7375
Жыл бұрын
@@JustMoparJoe always welcome my friend.
@johnelliott7375
Жыл бұрын
@@JustMoparJoe always welcome my friend
383/400 the most underrated but probably the best platform to build a vintage mopar engine.
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks MN62. I’ll do the 400 justice
Good to see you back building engines!
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Man I’ve been wanting to! Build in the off season and thrash on it come next year
Looking forward to this build
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Rob!
Goooooood afternoon JMJ! I am going to watch the video and heal up from my emergency 4 front upper teeth extraction on Monday.
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Prayers for a speedy recovery
@johnelliott7375
Жыл бұрын
@@JustMoparJoe I have a new found respect for people who have to get their teeth ripped out. I have broken my jaw, all the bones in my right leg ,my back twice, all my ribs had 2 removed and amd bones in my eye socket, and a plastic aeortic transection, but the big open gaping holes in the front of my mouth is the worst thing yet. I swear that everything is connected to your mouth, LOL. The worst part is can't eat , can't drink, unless it is very carefully. They usually give people temporary dentures or something to cover it up but it didn't even get stitches. So I will say always do your best to take care of your teeth. LOL 😂 and you all have a great evening. I worked Friday and Saturday had today off and I am going to attempt to work Monday morning I will just have to see how it goes.
@johnelliott7375
Жыл бұрын
@@JustMoparJoe thanks again I appreciate it and can use it.
Joe, you're a champion on how you do stuff, you're a great example to follow on how to do it Right...thank you..be good.
@JustMoparJoe
2 ай бұрын
Thanks for that! I’ll keep pushing!!
Get'n closer!!!!! Ready for all the info....💯😎
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks James! Check out Rick Seeman. He’s building a beast mode hemi now.
@218422100
Жыл бұрын
@@JustMoparJoe thanks for the info my friend!! I can't wait to see the dyno numbers for your 406. I'm really leaning this direction for my Charger. Gonna get another block for my build and was thinking about using 906 heads on mine but not set in stone....💯😎
I might have found my 383 I have been hunting for for decades.
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Awesome 👍🏼
Good content Joe , 500 hp at the crank shouldn't be to difficult as long as she is going to make decent compression !
@dannyskaggs6587
Жыл бұрын
Nice
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks buddy. It looks like I’m stuck around 10-10.5/1 with these pistons. Which is fine, as I am going with 93 octane. We could have cut the block and heads more, but may want to drop the stroker crank in someday with some flat tops and shoot for 12.5/1
Looks very clean
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks brother
Great stuff I don’t know anything about but am completely a fan of. Not sure why maybe it’s the presentation and delivery of said stuff I don’t know anything about lol. Keep it up Joe!
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Stan! All we can do is spin it and see what it does
Great video Joe! Makes me wish I hadn't scrapped so many 400's back in the day before anyone realized their potential!
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
This will be my first full 400 build. Hoping for the best!
@musclecarmitch908
Жыл бұрын
@@JustMoparJoe 👍
Ye Ed showed how he balanced all your connecting rod's and so forth, it was very educational, thanks for the video, saw your NNN drags they were quite respectable, all the best to you and your loved ones
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Donald!
Yeah yeah yeah! Put it in the Barracuda! The Chrysler B block has a 1.88:1 rod ratio, if I remember correctly. It should rev higher easier, without having to push it up into RPM's that it really doesn't like to go up to. Will need good valve springs.
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Inquiring minds must know! Should be a fun experiment! My converter should be good for the 406!
Doing a good job Joe.
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Mr. Rick
Awesome man, Can't wait to see this come together. Team BigBlock!!
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks buddy! I think it’ll be a screamer. Definitely have some sound with the solid roller
Good job at the NNN Joe.
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Eric!
Excited to see the next video. It’s awesome how in depth you go.
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks brother! Got some work done today!
Coming along nicely! I'm really enjoying the 400 build series!
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Todd. Glad to be back on it.
It will be a fun engine for sure! I like the 400!
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Tim! Hope she does well. Really considering it in the barracuda
Good stuff joe and congrats on the win @ NNN. The new converter looks to be working just fine in that last clip👍
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks buddy! Yes sir! She’s doing the job!
The 400 is my favorite. This will be very interesting. I think the Torque from the 406 will be better and maybe help launch the car faster…better 60ft? Thinking of building the 451 I have parts for with better heads and Gary’s favorite cam.
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Mark! The 408 may win the torque battle with the long stroke! But the 406 will have the head flow down Pat! I need to speed up!
I've seen several 400 based engines that made north of 575 H/P NA . Good luck & Best Wishes . 🇺🇲🇵🇷🦊👍
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing! I got more done on this engine yesterday 👍🏼
Thats awesome footage at the end with your front tires off the ground. We enjoyed watching you run your Mopar at the NNN 1👊🏁
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Royboy! Great to meet you
Good stuff. Good refresher course for me since I have a build an engine in quite a while and I probably have three to do soon
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Mike!
Make sure to throw a nice Quilt on the Cuda for da winter
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Haha! She will be inside for sure.
Years ago I ordered the .005 over, file to fit rings for my KB pistons BEFORE I learned that KB calls for a bigger end gap than others lol.
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Uh oh! That was more filing!
I was going to ask how your 400 was going in the last video but was busy enough building my own up ! Builder up !
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Doc! Good luck!
Good vid. Looking forward to seeing it run Should make more power with the bigger valves and ports you can get vs smallblock heads
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
That’s what I hope for! But the short stroke will lack some torque. It’ll be a fun comparison!
Awesome vid bro, you definitely got them skillzzzz!
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Haha! I can’t promise it’ll fly like old yeller!
Just wondering why you didn’t go with a 451 stroker kit. Other then to save money? Thanks Joe for your knowledge…
This is a exciting build, Im very curious how it will stand up to your 408 Small Block! Great Video Joe! Way to put the MOON Tune in your Car at the very end!
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Haha! Thanks buddy! She’s battle tested and still kicking.
Nice video awesome machine work. It’s a lot easier getting 500hp NA today from a 400 mopar thanks to trick flow heads. There 240 and 270 are nice alternatives. My opinion 500 hp from a 400 B block 10-11 compression Mechanical flat tappet 24x @ 50 camshafts. 240 trick flow heads 1.6 rockers if you have room. I don’t see a hydraulic cam getting you there. This is going to be fun to see
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Dan. I’m going with a roller setup and 1.6 rockers. I have the closed chambered Edelbrocks that have been worked and then some. Should be close!
🥝✔️
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks brother
Thats a comparison I definately want to see! I don't think I have seen anyone do this before,with a Mopar anyway, 406 short stroke big block vs 408 stroked small block...gonna be really exciting to see the results of this. depends on a lot of things like,head flow,cam compression etc. I would think if all that stuff is pretty close to same they should be pretty equal in hp and torque except the short stroke is gonna be getting it at higher rpm range obviously one would think. anyway,gonna be a great build series Joe!👍
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Ross! I won’t throw my 408 away for sure!
@karlsracing8422
Жыл бұрын
Factory big block heads are the crutch.
Staying on the looser side of kb specs for ring end gaps can result in oil consumption and loss of compression. As long as your not running a bunch of boost or nitrous I would stay on the tighter end of their recommendations for your application.
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Matthew. I’m at a tight .033 on top. I wouldn’t go more than 150 shot. Bottom ring gaps were all .019 out of the box , which the spec is .01748. I didn’t touch them at all.
I believe that, you going to put the 400 in the River machine?
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
I am really considering selling it into my racecar. Thanks buddy
@johnelliott7375
Жыл бұрын
@@JustMoparJoe setting it I hope that you meant and your very welcome as always.. I would like to have your email address is it in any of your videos? Got some questions about the 383 I want to get and it's in pieces.
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
@@johnelliott7375 justmoparjoe@gmail.com
Have not watched this vid yet. still catching up on NNN What year Block are you going with? NNN Looked great . It think I Might Skip The Mopar Nationals Next year And Head There For A Vaction Weekend. And Congrats on Your win
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Vincent! This is a 75 model block. Thanks for the support
Great video as always! Has the block been 0 decked? Heads cut? I trust your judgement but lack of compression is a common thing these days.
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Greg. Block was professionally decked and bores recentered. Pistons are flat tops, .015 in the hole. Heads are closed chambered Edelbrocks that have been worked in many ways. Somewhere between 10-10.5/1. It may be a stretch, but I’m going to stretch it! That’s where the fun is. I will have under $3,500 in the entire engine, from pan to carb or carbs😅🤷🏻♂️
What’s your take on 2021-22 KZread engine builders Contributors record’s of “new cam kit” Manufacture’s premature failure of lifters after proper break in? KZreadr’s Using correct break in oil & zinc additives. Then lifters Failing and damaging the cam lobes. Failure after a few mile of on the road tests…( ie; DD Speed Shop , Uncle Tony’s Shop) ….Do you piecemeal your cam parts or do a kit?
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the question. I never buy new comp stuff. They had the majority of issues. Last flat tappet cam I bought was from Bullet cams. No issues. Before that it was Lunati voodoo stuff. I did see a Lunati that looked like it was wearing funny, so I replaced it. My 408 and most race engines always got Isky cams and lifter kits. Never an issue. The Mopar shaft mount rockers allow you to run less spring pressure, which would be easier on cams. Most don’t buy Isky or Bullet because they’re $450 or more for cam kits. They think cheaper is better. With this engine, I found an NOS hydraulic roller from comp. It’s a billet core. I’m actually using solid roller lifter from Johnson. Should be a fun one!
😊
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks brother
Did he make the 440 aource rods full floating or are they still press fit?
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Full floating. Ed made them slide like butter
Speaking of boosted 400, when is that happening? Still waiting on parts?
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for asking! My current plan is to, finish the coronet and paint my dart sport. Then I can drop the boosted one in and start plumbing. I’d assume end of the year start date.
@pauljones2031
Жыл бұрын
@@JustMoparJoe Got it! Thanks for the reply.
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
@@pauljones2031 sorry for the delay! Money is going out faster than coming in 😅
@pauljones2031
Жыл бұрын
@@JustMoparJoe no need to apoligise! I totally get it. Been sitting on my 70 Dart project a loooong time because of that.
When you were micing the rod journal you had 2 measurements. Were you measuring both rod locations or was the second measurement 90 degrees out from the first?
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
I think I measured the same spot twice, and came within.0002 of each other
Please don’t put it in the cuda you have that car so right leave it alone . Buy a 68 2 door Dart an put that 406 in they have a nice low roof line An at a nice looking MOPAR . 👍🏻🇦🇺🏴
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks buddy! I certainly wouldn’t throw the 408 away. But the engine could use a freshen up. What do I do while that’s happening? Run the 406! I have a transmission. I have several intakes to try out. With aluminum heads and aluminum water pump housing, it will nearly weigh the same as the iron headed 408. Will have to see what happens!
Too bad, you don't have a forged 383 crankshaft for this build. Even a 383 2 barrel had forged steel cranks in early years
@JustMoparJoe
Жыл бұрын
I have one, but I’d have to steal it from a complete 383. The cast cranks are stronger than most understand. I will show the results of this one
@williamturner8422
Жыл бұрын
@@JustMoparJoe The 400 block is the strongest of the B and RB motors especially the early ones. I have tossed out 400s before I found this out. Andy Finkbiener has built some very nice 400 stroker motors with Trickflow 270 heads. Over 750 horse power with a 400 block. 440 motors can't live very long at that power level, if at all.
@williamturner8422
Жыл бұрын
@@JustMoparJoe I bet that you could find a junkyard crank from a 1966 to 1970, 2 bbl 383 for less than 100 dollars. But it requires some time and willingness to get pretty greasy. The right crank would not even have to be ground undersized. Racing engines like to be on the loose side anyway. I don't really like cast cranks. Weak oil slingers. Poor for high RPM. No neutral balance on flex plate or torque converter. You can turn the mains down on a 440 crank and offset grind the rods down to 2.20 and run chevy rods to make about 470 cubic inches. Do you have Andy Finkbiener's book on building Mopar Big Blocks ???
@williamturner8422
Жыл бұрын
@@JustMoparJoe when you tap a cast crank with a wrench you get a full thud. When you tap a forged crank with a wrench it rings. I don't want a "dull thud", crank in my motors.
@williamturner8422
Жыл бұрын
@@JustMoparJoe I like 67 to 69 Cuda fastbacks. We used to race our 69 Cuda fastback at Bandimere speedway in Morrison , Colorado. We never got it to hook up , even with slicks. Circa 1978. 11.60s with no traction. Cast iron heads. Street car. 7500 foot elevation air.