Technical 400 mopar

I just acquired a 76 to 78 mopar trying to figure out what I have as far as something to build I guess it may have come from a motor home or a van dip stick is made into pan not sure about anything on it and don't know where to find information I have been searching the web any help is appreciated

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Check this link for Mopar Block and Head casting numbers to help identify yours. Big blocks generally have a stamping in the block on a boss near the distributor if I recall correctly. My 413 had something like T41 on it. It's been a while, so I might be way off.

 

There's also this thread that talks about identifying Mopar Engines.

 

moparts.com will help you figure it out.

Put a 440 crank in a 400, and you've got a 451 cubic inch beast. Crank mains need to be cut a bit, and raised pin location on the pistons, but it makes for a really nice base to build power on. Those large diameter flat tappet lifters in the big block Mopar engines means you can run a lot more aggressive cam profile than pretty much any other manufacturers engines.

 

where you found those numbers cast into the side of the block...look on the other side, it should have the casting month/day/year.

and find the stamped pad on the top front of the block, it will tell you more info.

post all the numbers here. we can help you figure it out. If you take pictures of the numbers, that works too, but take good pictures so we can read the numbers on them. The one you posted is too small to see much.

 

Here is another source of information http://store.440source.com/ and parts.

 

I'm going to set on stand tomorrow sometime i need to get 50 years of oil off of it as you can see in picture i will post when I get it somewhat clean thanks for the information


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wasn't well received by performance people as a lo-po replacement for the nice 383. But with good C/R and cam the extra CID comes in handy.

 

The. Only downside to the 400 is the CR it's rated as 8.2/1 but often below 8/1 making new pistons nessary for even mild performance builds.

 

I remember them being decent running motors.. Maybe you can raise the compression by getting a cam that closes the intake valve sooner..

 

What are you wanting to do with it? I have one that was in a 3/4 ton pickup and did fine, it’s now freshened up and probably headed for my convertible


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Even if you know what it is, this is the most important question.

 

Yep - looks like a motor home block with those center dump exhaust - not a bad thing - like was said they are being built now by choice by the Mopar guys for those cubic inches. Fool the others into thinking it's just a 383 due to it not having the tell tell 413/440 # pad by the distributor.

 

Here’s another thread about MOPAR 400 engines.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/chrysler-dodge-400.1164428/

 

Back in the day these motors (an I) were younger, a few buddies and myself ran a car in the hobby class at our local dirt track. We were limited to "stock" parts. I much preferred the 400 over the 383 back then. Doesn't sound like much, but with the right big block Mopar cam, the extra cubic inches helped a lot. In our area affordable 440s were pretty tough to find, but the 400s were real cheap. The 100,000 mile 400s would run 8-10 weeks at 6500 rpm. The guy at our local junk yard was selling me good running 400s for $25 each! When he got a "good one" he would set it aside for us.
AH! The good old days! Gene

 

They make very good stroker motors. Check out 440Source.com. 500 cubic inch motor that looks like a 383!

 

Not sure on that I have a 31 A with one in it or should I say the body is on the motor and was thinking of rebuilding this to replace that one because just about every time I fire the other one up I have to fix it to drive I don't know if cam is bad or lifters I have to always adjust them I just bought new lifters push rods and adjusters was going to try that but then this came up not sure what to do now

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I’m curious how you are adjusting rockers on a big block mopar?


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The 400 is the strongest/ best foundation for building a big block mopar. Big bore, smaller main bearings, bigger bulkheads, more compact package.
Tough as nails. I’ve made over 1100 hp with a factory block and crank.

 

451 stroker makes a great setup. You can use either 400 or 440 rods, they make pistons for both. There is a lot of discussion over which is better... One of them is a slightly longer rod (440 IIRC).

 

400s are great for big power and very streetable of made into a stroker engine!
I jist bought back my '67 Cuda convertible that I built in the 80s and sold 30 years ago. I have a really nice 451 for it, H beam rods, big solid lifter cam, flat tops, going for 700+ HP... depends what aluminum heads I can find used and what intake. Cant wait to get it back on the road and strip where it belongs!

-Shiny

 

They have adjusters on the rockers

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These

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Ok it has aftermarket rockers then.


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No they are factory high performance is what I have found out the crane are replacements the push rods are as big as my pinky fingers and I bent one

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I would like to see a picture, I’m not aware of a factory adjustable rocker for them, possibly 426 wedge stuff? I have never seen or read anything about them.


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They were sold over the counter for years. Direct Connection and Mopar Performance parts even back in the sixties.

 

So aftermarket.


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Max wedge rockers but sold over the counter also.

 

Those look similar to my Harland Sharp adjusters .
I always thought all the old Mopar adjusters used a slot for a screwdriver,,,,not an Allen wrench ?
How long ago was it ?

Tommy