400 block for sale, is it worth it?

[torqueaddict]

Ok so I found a guy in my area selling a 400 block. Its standard bore and has timing chain cover oil pan and all internals included. I really just need the block but this guy wont take anything loose so I gotta take it as is.  He wants 300 for it, I tried to offer him 250 and he said he cant or wont take any less than 275. What do you guys think about the deal. My 440 stroker is still getting built I want a low deck stroker at some point.  I already have the standard 440 crank and my local machine shop will shorten it to fit for 300 bucks. The rest of the costs associated with my 451 are kind of a mystery but its a side project for now. Let me know what you guys think of the deal and my plan.

[mopar12372]

if the block sonic checks . ok price

[torqueaddict]

if the block sonic checks . ok price

I probably wont be able to find that out till I get it, I could really get burned if this were to be a bad block.

[Chryco Psycho]

do you know what the block casting # is ?? the 71 xxxx230 blocks were insanely strong

[torqueaddict]

It looks like its a 77 and the final numbers are 530-400-3. I hope this means something good.

[Chryco Psycho]

just a std 400 block worth much less than the 230 casting . You should be able to get a 400 for $200 ALMOST ANYWHERE but I am sure they are getting harder to find after 32 years

[torqueaddict]

just a std 400 block worth much less than the 230 casting . You should be able to get a 400 for $200 ALMOST ANYWHERE but I am sure they are getting harder to find after 32 years

They are not easy to find at all, I have only ever seen a few for sale in my area. Is a non 230 casting block worth stroking or should I keep looking for a 230 block?

[Chryco Psycho]

grab it & get it done , $100 will not make much difference either way

[Cuda416]

I got my "230" 400 block for $150. Felt like I should have gone and bought a lotto ticket . The 230's had a lot more meat around the crank journals and "supposedly" thicker cylinder walls but that may be a myth. Depends on whom you talk to.

Properly built and balanced I think it's a good combo all around tho. If you are concerned, put some aftermarket caps in and a stud girdle. Pretty bulletproof after that no matter which version 400 you use.

-C

[torqueaddict]

grab it & get it done , $100 will not make much difference either way

I just talked to a guy on the phone from a different ad.  He has two cks he believe they are both early 70 400 blocks. He wants 400 for both or 200 for the dirty one and 250 for the really nice one. I need to tinge he casting numbers first tho.

[torqueaddict]

So here what happened, I ended up driving about one hundred miles to see the blocks. They turned out not to be the 71-72 casting. Instead the block said 72 on the side of it and when I cross referenced the casting number it was from 73-74 and was bored 20 over I guess I am not really sure what I have with this one. The other block was a 77 so I elected to not go with that one although it was standard bore. So I told the guy because it wasnt what I wanted I was only gonna give him 150 and he was cool with it. So I guess I have a 72-73 400 block thats 20 over bore for now. I think I got a pretty fair deal since I planned on having it put 30 over anyways.

[PlumCraZRT]

So here what happened, I ended up driving about one hundred miles to see the blocks. They turned out not to be the 71-72 casting. Instead the block said 72 on the side of it and when I cross referenced the casting number it was from 73-74 and was bored 20 over I guess I am not really sure what I have with this one. The other block was a 77 so I elected to not go with that one although it was standard bore. So I told the guy because it wasnt what I wanted I was only gonna give him 150 and he was cool with it. So I guess I have a 72-73 400 block thats 20 over bore for now. I think I got a pretty fair deal since I planned on having it put 30 over anyways.

Lets hope only cutting it another 0.010" (about the width of a hair) will cover it.