I have a complete 76 400 4bbl and access to a 440 crank, any ideas on what it would cost to do this? Would one of the new stroker kits be a better way to go financially? Any ideas on what to use for pistons? I would love to hear some combos of guys that have done this. Its just a street motor, I dont want nothing radical.

I`ve been beating my 470 stroker in two different combos(400 block) both w/eagle rods(chevy 6.385)and a turned down 413 crank. The first combo went 10.40`s and was almost a daily driver w/ported 906`s and a solid Isky cam. The most recent combo has an Isky solid roller and home ported rpm heads and has gone 9.98 and is driven often and is dead reliable. I don`t remember the exact cost but that was almost 9 years ago and I`d probably go w/one of the stroker kits if I was to do it all over again. Both combos use JE pistons are are raced on street tires and mufflers.

For a mild (relative to race) street motor, it can be done inexpensively. Shop around for some 1.32" compression height pistons (lots available) and the 451 low deck is born. I use 1.30-1.32" pistons in my low deck 511 CID engines (4.250" stroke with a 6.535" rod).

I bought some Wiseco pistons a few years ago, but the part number I have use the 0.990" pin since I use aftermarket connecting rods, rather than the 6.76" 440 rod with the larger pin.

I have to admit for your application, 440source.com is worth looking at for a stroker kit. And if you go that route, even bigger is available for basically the same money. Remember, you will have to clearance the factory 440 crank counterweights to clear the block (or grind the block). I had my crank counterweights turned down to 7.25" dia to clear everything and get the balance closer without massive amounts of holes drilled in the crank counterweights.

You can have the 440 crankshaft ground using a offset stroke to 3.91 by going to the BB Chevy rod journals and using the 6.535 longg H beam BB Chevy rods with a readily availble low cost forged piston from KB (Kieth Black brand) pistons in several different compression ratios that can make a 464 C.I. using a 4.360 bore with the 3.91 stroke or a 470 using the 4.375 bore, that combination is very potent, revs quick and doesn't cost a fortune

sounds simple, can I use any cam?

Im in the final stages of building a 451 right now, on a shoestring budget. I opted to use a 413 crank, because I found it on craigslist cheap. I penciled it all out, and going with a factory crank, KB forged pistons, and CAT H-beam rods saved me about $600 vs. a 440-source kit. Might not sound like much, but its those $600 that are allowing me to get a set of stealth heads. So it works for me. I've looked long and hard at every aspect of this build and saved where I could, but still have a good street-strip motor that should last. My budget is currently @ $4,000. However, I am using many parts that are already on my 383 (distributor, intake manifold, oil pan, water pump, pulleys ect.) My combo should be right in the 550-horse range.

I have a complete spreadsheet that shows where my money has gone. I'd be happy to send you a copy if interested. shoot me your email addy.

how are you ending up at 451 instead of 470?

so if you dont offset grind the crank and leave it at 3.75, what rods do you use?

In a low deck a 511, 4.25 stroke, 6.535 rod.....A powerhouse that will take about as much head and cam as you can throw at it.

The 470 is also a great combination, especially in a deep geared or 4 speed app where you don't need the extra grunt from the upper bottom. The 451 is also a great motor, my preference is the shorter 6.36" 383 rod version but both ways are just fine.

Unless it's an A body, In these days with the wide variety of heads available it's kinda hard to justify the low deck 451 over a stock stroke 440 (if you have them both available), the 440 RB is still a Hoss and I'd argue that (even if it's only a couple 100 dollars) whatever extra $$$ the low deck cost money wise over a 440 RB would be better invested towards the heads in terms of total dollars spent.

To put it another way, (and I've built and had about every B/RB motor comination imaginable) I'd rather have a 451RB with a sharp Valve/bowl job than a box stock VJ same-headed low deck for equal $$$.