I have some big block parts laying around and wouldn't mind a little winter project for myself, so i'm thinking of throwing together a cheapo 400 based engine. I've been wanting to swap a big block into my car for awhile now, but keep putting it off (laziness?).

Here is what I have:
- Stock 400 shortblock
- 440 cast crank
- 452 heads

Heads are bare, pretty rusy, I think they're better off being used as big paperweights on my desk...

car: 4000 lb. c-body that never sees the track, and will probably never see any rpm over 5500...will be getting a set of 3.23 gears, as its driven on the highway a fair bit...

Basically its a nice cruiser that needs a whole lot of torque down low...

I was thinking:

cut down the 440 crank
stock rods
kb hypers
stealth heads
performer rpm intake


Will I see a noticable increase in torque from 400 cubes to 451?

Any suggestions are welcome

Yes, the 400 had crap for compression. The KB's will get your ratio up for more torque off the bat, the longer stroke of the 440 will make that torque work more efficiently. The crank needs to be turned down to 400 mains and the throws need to be ground so as not to hit the block and then balanced. After this machining is done, you are almost at a new cast stroker crank cost wise. It can be done on a budget but the machining cost will hurt the most. higher compression 400 pistons and that improved top end will get you going for less, but it has been done.

I had the same motor combo in my 65' Barracuda but used the 215 pistons. What motor mounts are you using for the B in an early A? Headers are going to be a chore. Ask me how...

I have access to a couple of cheap 440's that I could pick up too....I suppose that is another option...

The 451 is a stout engine. It may be a little much for a cast crank turned down to 400 main size. Keeping it a 400 with higher compression or going with a steel stroker crank would give you a more robust bottom end.

Let's see 500hp is the common limit of the cast crank... 600hp is about the limit of the stock bottom end on the block (factory caps.) I'd just go a bit small on the cam and let the 451 run