Originally Posted By GY3
Originally Posted By topside
Personally, I like the 400 block as it leaves more room in the engine compartment and for all the world a 500" low-deck looks like a 383; guess that's the old secretive downplayer gene in me. My last 2 BBMs were 440 blocks in early B bodies, and they were a pain to work on on the right side.

Another thing I like about the 400 block is the bigger cylinders help unshroud the valves/flow a bit.

Your situation may well differ, and it's just my opinion. Next BB I want to build would look like a stock 383 Road Runner but lays down 11s through mufflers...


My 505 has been painted up to look like a stock motor. With the Stealth head it fools a lot of people. I tell them it's an RV 440 with a cam and headers that I gave a nice paintjob.

Mine ran easy 11's at the track first time out on pump gas, through the mufflers, 3.55 gears and on street tires. I drive it everywhere.

I'd love to do up an early B body 4 door with a low deck block and make it all dirty and crusty looking under the hood. Tell everyone it's a 361. Dirt and rust blowing out behind it as you trip the beams with a high 10...


I like the way you think! Engine looks great too.
I try not to bring it up too often since I've talked about it so many times but I really liked the 451 I had in my DartSport, it ran 9's with Eddy heads and a 590 purpleshaft cam at 3050 pounds. Low maintenance and a ton of fun! I've also owned a couple 500" low decks and they've been fun too but that 451 was pretty darn impressive for what it was.
ThumperDart's 470 has always been a strong runner, and I'd also like to try a 470 next due to the reasons AndyF has already mentioned.


1970 Challenger, all aluminum 528 Hemi, HDK suspension, Tremec 5 speed manual