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400 230 block #1831298
05/21/15 04:14 AM
05/21/15 04:14 AM
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aotearoa
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i'm looking to buy a 400 block that is a 230 casting. this block is a 4.25 bore like a 383 block. this part is confusing me as i've never heard of a 383 bore sized 230 block. i'm told by the seller it's a special Super Stock block from back in the day. any body here know anything about this type of thing? if you do can you enlighten me please?

Re: 400 230 block [Re: rebel] #1831325
05/21/15 10:12 AM
05/21/15 10:12 AM
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I've never heard of it, but I'm no expert on the subject, either. Have you seen the block? Do you know the casting number on the side of the block, and the casting date? Are there any numbers/symbols stamped on the machined pad by the distributor hole? Have you personally measured the bores?


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Re: 400 230 block [Re: rebel] #1831342
05/21/15 10:54 AM
05/21/15 10:54 AM
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The seller is feeding you a load of BS , there have been a few members that have had 230 block 383's , one guy said it was a 383 that was replaced under warranty in 1972, I think the car had a paper trail that showed it?

It's going to be like any other block of that era, SONIC CHECK IT . I'd love to have one of them for a 383 stocker build , very thick cylinder walls at 4.25 ...

Be warned there were thick web 230 blocks and standard web 230 blocks , casting date is KEY ... also can you get the info stamped on the ID pad and check to see if it has a VIN ...

Re: 400 230 block [Re: JohnRR] #1831349
05/21/15 11:08 AM
05/21/15 11:08 AM
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There may (likely) have been some overlap in the spring of 71 as the last of the 71 models were built and they were ramping up blocks for the '72s. Not buying the Super stock casting story though. Is Dave Boertman still alive? He ran the Rod Shop '71 Charger in Stock eliminator very successfully, he would know for sure.


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Re: 400 230 block [Re: rebel] #1831449
05/21/15 02:26 PM
05/21/15 02:26 PM
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Dave Wren was ask by Mopar to run a 1971 Cuda 383 in SS/I and SS/H that the drag team had developed for SS to race agianst the 350 Chevy Camaro, it was a unbored 400 block according to him bored to 383 specs. workHe removed all casting numbers and casting marks on it so he wouldn't get bounce for having the wrong block in that car. Joe Alread was given a 1972 RR for a magazine car project that ended up being a rocket ship also shruggy I have heard the 230 casting storyies in some late 1971 383 cars also shruggy Daves race motor was bored .060 to 4.310 for that project, it was a rocket ship up


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Re: 400 230 block [Re: rebel] #1831537
05/21/15 04:26 PM
05/21/15 04:26 PM
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Originally Posted By rebel
i'm looking to buy a 400 block that is a 230 casting. this block is a 4.25 bore like a 383 block. this part is confusing me as i've never heard of a 383 bore sized 230 block. i'm told by the seller it's a special Super Stock block from back in the day. any body here know anything about this type of thing? if you do can you enlighten me please?


I've heard of those blocks before. I believe it was more a model year crossover and warranty thing than anything special.

Let me guess, since the seller states this a "special" block it has a premium price attached to it?

You live in Straya, right? Can't be cheap getting a block there. If I were you I'd insist any block you buy be sonic checked first, unless you don't mind paying shipping fees for junk.

Re: 400 230 block [Re: 64Post] #1831971
05/22/15 06:37 AM
05/22/15 06:37 AM
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aotearoa
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Originally Posted By 64Post
Originally Posted By rebel
i'm looking to buy a 400 block that is a 230 casting. this block is a 4.25 bore like a 383 block. this part is confusing me as i've never heard of a 383 bore sized 230 block. i'm told by the seller it's a special Super Stock block from back in the day. any body here know anything about this type of thing? if you do can you enlighten me please?


I've heard of those blocks before. I believe it was more a model year crossover and warranty thing than anything special.

Let me guess, since the seller states this a "special" block it has a premium price attached to it?

You live in Straya, right? Can't be cheap getting a block there. If I were you I'd insist any block you buy be sonic checked first, unless you don't mind paying shipping fees for junk.


no i'm not in Straya but just across the ditch. it costs more to ship an engine across the US than it does to get from Ca. to NZ. i can't find any information regarding 383 230 blocks & i'm hoping one of the renown engine guys can help. i'm in serious need of a good 400 block if you know of any.
Reb.

Re: 400 230 block [Re: rebel] #1832037
05/22/15 10:54 AM
05/22/15 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted By rebel
Originally Posted By 64Post
Originally Posted By rebel
i'm looking to buy a 400 block that is a 230 casting. this block is a 4.25 bore like a 383 block. this part is confusing me as i've never heard of a 383 bore sized 230 block. i'm told by the seller it's a special Super Stock block from back in the day. any body here know anything about this type of thing? if you do can you enlighten me please?


I've heard of those blocks before. I believe it was more a model year crossover and warranty thing than anything special.

Let me guess, since the seller states this a "special" block it has a premium price attached to it?

You live in Straya, right? Can't be cheap getting a block there. If I were you I'd insist any block you buy be sonic checked first, unless you don't mind paying shipping fees for junk.


no i'm not in Straya but just across the ditch. it costs more to ship an engine across the US than it does to get from Ca. to NZ. i can't find any information regarding 383 230 blocks & i'm hoping one of the renown engine guys can help. i'm in serious need of a good 400 block if you know of any.
Reb.


The 383 230 block is the same block as the 400 230 block , it just has a smaller bore. When the blocks are cast the bore is undersize to begin with .

Re: 400 230 block [Re: rebel] #1832141
05/22/15 01:27 PM
05/22/15 01:27 PM
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You need to work with an engine shop that you trust and have them buy a block, tank it, sonic it, etc. before it is shipped over. Maybe Brian at IMM since he is in SoCal.

There are plenty of 400 blocks sitting around but getting one cleaned up and verified as good before it is shipped internationally is a hassle.

Re: 400 230 block [Re: rebel] #1832145
05/22/15 01:33 PM
05/22/15 01:33 PM
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Are you looking for any 230 casting or only the early 230 casting with the thicker main webs? There is a difference. The cutoff is somewhere in December so you should be asking for photos of the date as well as photos of the bottom end.

I have a rusty 230 block sitting in my shop that you could have cheap if you came to my shop and paid cash. But I'm not going to crate it up and ship it overseas. There could be something wrong with the block which isn't a big deal when you pay $200 for it, but it really stings after you pay $1000 for someone to crate it, truck it, ship it, etc.

Re: 400 230 block [Re: AndyF] #1832171
05/22/15 02:05 PM
05/22/15 02:05 PM
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The early 'small font' 230 block cut off date was Oct. '71 -- the 11th or 17th day sticks in my mind. I'd have to get the book out to confirm the exact day. Then there's the large font 230 block. I don't know the cut off date for that one.

OP, being your overseas, if I were you I'd take Andy's advice to work with a reputable shop to check out a block before it's shipped.

The problem with those blocks is that sellers think they're made out of gold when they haven't even proven to be a good block. Asking $600-$800 is not uncommon, but no one will give you a refund if the block needs sleeves.

IMO, $600 is a fair price for a small font 230 block that has been cleaned, magged and sonic checked already.

Re: 400 230 block [Re: rebel] #1832394
05/22/15 07:25 PM
05/22/15 07:25 PM
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i've asked the seller to take some pics of the casting numbers, he said he'll do it next week as the block is at his machinists. my biggest problem is that it's in Florida & he says it'll cost about $300 to ship to Ca. from there it's only $80 to get it shipped down under via my shipper. if it is a legit block then i'm ok with that. i've e-mailed a few engine guys in the US & asked them to find me a suitable block but unfortunately no one wants to help someone on the wrong side of the world. 400 blocks down under are scarce & those who have them think they're worth gold. i had originally bought an engine off Moparts from a member, most of the engine was good but the block was stuffed so hence why i'm looking for another.
thanx for the input from those of you that have helped.

Re: 400 230 block [Re: rebel] #1832501
05/22/15 10:22 PM
05/22/15 10:22 PM
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I'm building my stroker from one of the early block as we speak. I took my original from my car and put it under the bench since it was a later block without the extra beef.
Ron

400blockwebbing.jpg
Last edited by RJS; 05/22/15 10:29 PM.
Re: 400 230 block [Re: RJS] #1832508
05/22/15 10:34 PM
05/22/15 10:34 PM
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Originally Posted By RJS
I'm building my stroker from one of the early block as we speak. I took my original from my car and put it under the bench since it was a later block without the extra beef.
Ron


I own one of these blocks, but it would need several sleeves. Is it worth it?

Re: 400 230 block [Re: hudsonhornet7x] #1832653
05/23/15 03:08 AM
05/23/15 03:08 AM
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My pump gas Duster motor was a 1976 630 400 block that ended up needing four sleeves, head gasket blew out between #4 and #6 and tore the deck up between them needing to be repaired and sleeved, # 7 and # 1 cylinders where rust pitted bad enough the only way to save them was with two sleeves. That was the only 400 block I could find at that time so I had 4 ductile iron sleeves put in and ran the dog doodoo out of that motor, reringed once and like it a lot up Make sure and have the sleeves installed before boring the other cylinders up twocents

Last edited by Cab_Burge; 05/23/15 03:09 AM.

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Re: 400 230 block [Re: RJS] #1832655
05/23/15 03:13 AM
05/23/15 03:13 AM
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Originally Posted By RJS
I'm building my stroker from one of the early block as we speak. I took my original from my car and put it under the bench since it was a later block without the extra beef.
Ron


Somebody help me out here as it's been a while since I owned one of these blocks, and I don't want to spread misinformation. I seem to remember the early 230 blocks having small font and the later version large font.

The description in the attachment has it the other way around.

Which is correct? JohnRR?

Re: 400 230 block [Re: hudsonhornet7x] #1832658
05/23/15 03:18 AM
05/23/15 03:18 AM
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Originally Posted By hudsonhornet7x
Originally Posted By RJS
I'm building my stroker from one of the early block as we speak. I took my original from my car and put it under the bench since it was a later block without the extra beef.
Ron


I own one of these blocks, but it would need several sleeves. Is it worth it?


FWIW, the local Hemi legend sleeves all 8 cylinders -- on purpose. Nothing wrong with sleeves.

Re: 400 230 block [Re: 64Post] #1832680
05/23/15 08:11 AM
05/23/15 08:11 AM
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Originally Posted By 64Post
Originally Posted By RJS
I'm building my stroker from one of the early block as we speak. I took my original from my car and put it under the bench since it was a later block without the extra beef.
Ron


Somebody help me out here as it's been a while since I owned one of these blocks, and I don't want to spread misinformation. I seem to remember the early 230 blocks having small font and the later version large font.

The description in the attachment has it the other way around.

Which is correct? JohnRR?


The info in my post is the only way I have ever seen it, Large font on the early thick blocks (my stroker is cast 6-28-71)
Small font on the later blocks (my original engine is cast Jan or Feb. of 72)
Ron

Re: 400 230 block [Re: rebel] #1832983
05/23/15 09:38 PM
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I don't remember which it is , but the date is the important thing ... that and a sonic check.

I wouldn't have a problem using a late block with alum caps.

Re: 400 230 block [Re: rebel] #1832991
05/23/15 09:58 PM
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The 230 block I have has large font and a December 71 casting date. It doesn't have the extra material around the mains so it isn't the early cold weather version.

I dug around in the shop and came to the conclusion that I have ten 400 blocks. Not even sure where I got them all. I suppose it is time to thin the herd. Can't imagine what would happen if I got hit by a bus and my wife had to sell all this stuff off!

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