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Bad Block News Today #2620935
02/13/19 08:33 PM
02/13/19 08:33 PM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 149
It's Complicated
HDNMOPERS Offline OP
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HDNMOPERS  Offline OP
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It's Complicated
Got the call from Matt Hensley today. My 400 Block didn't sonic good. Imagine that. I got one more block to try. If it don't check out good. I think I may go Gen 3. I'm not gonna go fishing for 400 blocks in hope of finding a good one. So I may have a Molnar 4.25 crank and rods with Diamond -24cc pistons ProGram 2 bolt caps a Dwayne porter specd small solid lifter cam with HYlift Johnson lightweight edm lifters for sale. Which with a set of 240 TF would make a awesome 512 street engine. Will see in a week or so. Man Im bummed about the block situation.

Re: Bad Block News Today [Re: HDNMOPERS] #2620937
02/13/19 08:36 PM
02/13/19 08:36 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,007
Bend,OR USA
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Cab_Burge Offline
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How bad is bad on the sonic tests?


Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: Bad Block News Today [Re: Cab_Burge] #2620940
02/13/19 08:44 PM
02/13/19 08:44 PM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 149
It's Complicated
HDNMOPERS Offline OP
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The block was standard bore with 3-4 cylinders in the 70 range. Which Matt said was as bad has he as seen. Not seen the sonic sheet myself. But I will take his word for it. And that was. He would not use it for this build. For a stock rebuild job maybe. For a stroker no dice.

Last edited by HDNMOPERS; 02/13/19 08:56 PM.
Re: Bad Block News Today [Re: HDNMOPERS] #2620941
02/13/19 08:44 PM
02/13/19 08:44 PM
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Frostbitefalls MN (Rocky&Bullw...
gregsdart Offline
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If you can come up with a good block that only needs one or two sleeves to fix, I would go for it. There is no way a gen 3 will match the power per $$ considering you will take a bath on what you have, plus you will have to buy gen 3 stuff.
Keep looking for a good 400, with the loss on your current parts in mind!


8..603 156 mph best, 2905 lbs 549, indy 572-13, alky
Re: Bad Block News Today [Re: gregsdart] #2620945
02/13/19 08:54 PM
02/13/19 08:54 PM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 149
It's Complicated
HDNMOPERS Offline OP
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Yeah I know and agree. Just bummed. Was gonna have this engine rollin together. Then I get this news. Like I said I have another block and a line on 2 more. Will see. Very frustrating though. Oh and until I get a block thats good. You go to the end of the line.

Last edited by HDNMOPERS; 02/13/19 09:00 PM.
Re: Bad Block News Today [Re: HDNMOPERS] #2620958
02/13/19 09:20 PM
02/13/19 09:20 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,007
Bend,OR USA
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Cab_Burge Offline
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Originally Posted By HDNMOPERS
The block was standard bore with 3-4 cylinders in the 70 range. Which Matt said was as bad has he as seen. Not seen the sonic sheet myself. But I will take his word for it. And that was he would not use it for this build. For a stock rebuild job maybe. For a stroker no dice.

If he is saying that you have .070 thick now I would junk that rascal also up
I had one of the first 400 block I built ended up having .030 after boring it on the cam shaft side of the block on all four cylinders on the driver side puke , it split the # 1 cylinder on the dyno whiney
I bought a Dakota 1000 sonic tester after that and I use .160 minimum on the thrust sides and .130 on the non thrust sides as a minimum before boring up


Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: Bad Block News Today [Re: HDNMOPERS] #2620965
02/13/19 09:30 PM
02/13/19 09:30 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
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Canada
WO23Coronet Offline
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Yeah I'd say keep your chin up and keep looking for a 400 block, especially with the point that you're at and all the good parts you have

Last edited by WO23Coronet; 02/13/19 09:30 PM.
Re: Bad Block News Today [Re: Cab_Burge] #2620966
02/13/19 09:33 PM
02/13/19 09:33 PM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 149
It's Complicated
HDNMOPERS Offline OP
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That's what Matt said also.

Re: Bad Block News Today [Re: WO23Coronet] #2620976
02/13/19 09:43 PM
02/13/19 09:43 PM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 149
It's Complicated
HDNMOPERS Offline OP
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Im trying to stay positive about it. Just not sure how many 300-500 dollar swings I wanna make at blocks.

Re: Bad Block News Today [Re: HDNMOPERS] #2620977
02/13/19 09:44 PM
02/13/19 09:44 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 489
IL
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EchoSixMike Offline
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So sleeve it and move on, it's done all the time. S/F...Ken M

Re: Bad Block News Today [Re: EchoSixMike] #2620981
02/13/19 09:55 PM
02/13/19 09:55 PM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 149
It's Complicated
HDNMOPERS Offline OP
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That was just the worst cylinder numbers. I think the other cylinders. While not that thin. They were just not where he would like them to be. Im just gonna go with Matt on this. If he is not confident with this block for this build. Im not either. But I agree. I don't have a problem with sleeves. But I don't think that was a viable option with this particular block

Re: Bad Block News Today [Re: HDNMOPERS] #2620984
02/13/19 09:58 PM
02/13/19 09:58 PM
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Posts: 6,389
nielsville, minn.
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quickd100 Offline
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nielsville, minn.
I have an early 7/71 400 block. 4

Standard bore, 4 holes checked thin, one was .083.

Re: Bad Block News Today [Re: quickd100] #2620999
02/13/19 10:18 PM
02/13/19 10:18 PM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 149
It's Complicated
HDNMOPERS Offline OP
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Well you know what. Both blocks I have are 71 230 blocks. Not that the 230 matters. But if this other early block is thin. Next one I get. I will get a later block. See how it checks. Matt said it's a crap shoot. He seen them thin and thick through all production years. Talking to Matt about the 230 thick main web blocks. Thick main webs won't help thin cylinders.

Re: Bad Block News Today [Re: HDNMOPERS] #2621006
02/13/19 10:38 PM
02/13/19 10:38 PM
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Chicago Blackhawks
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hemicar1971 Offline
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Was there or is there a year that is a better block than other years without said problem. I have a 400 motor also and think it was cast in 71 or maybe it came out of a 1972 Vehicle. Just hanging on to it in case I ever make a stoker out of it but likely will never happen. Has anyone done a study on what 400 block are better than others, year, mold it came from stuff like that.


1971 HEMI E BODY REGISTRY
Re: Bad Block News Today [Re: hemicar1971] #2621011
02/13/19 10:49 PM
02/13/19 10:49 PM
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Canada
WO23Coronet Offline
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I think Mopar Action did one back in the day (It was on 440 blocks but probably still applicable to 400's) and they found the later blocks were cast thicker and more consistent, but were of a slightly softer grade of cast iron. I'd look for a later block and try your luck there

Re: Bad Block News Today [Re: WO23Coronet] #2621019
02/13/19 11:01 PM
02/13/19 11:01 PM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 149
It's Complicated
HDNMOPERS Offline OP
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Andy F has or had a article on his web site about that. It was along those lines you talking about. I think Im gonna look for a later block. Gonna make a call tomorrow to a guy close to me. See if he may have a block or 2 gabbaged away.

Re: Bad Block News Today [Re: WO23Coronet] #2621025
02/13/19 11:10 PM
02/13/19 11:10 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
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Mt. Vernon, Ohio
dartman366 Offline
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to me the earlier blocks are too much of a crap shoot for finding a thick block for the money some guys want for them,, I bought two 1975 530 blocks from two different people and both sonic'd out excellent(over 280 non thrust and over 300 thrust) and as far as the cast iron, my machinist told me that my block was as hard of material as he has ever tried to machine ,said it was much harder than any chevy or ford block.


Light travels faster than the speed of sound,,,this is why some people seem bright untill you hear them speak.
Re: Bad Block News Today [Re: dartman366] #2621037
02/13/19 11:27 PM
02/13/19 11:27 PM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 149
It's Complicated
HDNMOPERS Offline OP
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Im thinking you maybe correct. Got a call in now for one and a line on another.

Re: Bad Block News Today [Re: HDNMOPERS] #2621042
02/13/19 11:37 PM
02/13/19 11:37 PM
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Martinsville, IN
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cdwmotorsports Offline
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Martinsville, IN
I have a 76 block. I’m glad I built it when I was 25 before all the haunting tales of this is too thin for a stroker stuff.... my engine guy built it and it’s been together for 2 decades.

Last edited by cdwmotorsports; 02/13/19 11:37 PM.

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Re: Bad Block News Today [Re: HDNMOPERS] #2621053
02/13/19 11:55 PM
02/13/19 11:55 PM
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Posts: 2,540
Milwaukee WI
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TRENDZ Offline
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Milwaukee WI
I used a 76 block. Don’t remember the numbers, but it was by far better than the 71/72 blocks I had at the time. Over the years, the bores did get a bit barrel shaped. Never any issues with the “thinner” main saddles. If I were to build another, Id sleeve it and run a smaller piston. The weak part of the blocks in my opinion is the cylinder walls. I used that block from 1992 until I sold the car in 2006. First year it was together made 776 hp on the dyno. When I sold it it was making over 1100hp.


"use it 'till it breaks, replace as needed"
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