Pistons, Rings and Bearings removed!
- Thread starter badvs3vil
- Start date
Gerald Morris
Senior Member
That's EXACTLY MY Plan. But if a fellow is content with an external balance torque converter then the nodular iron crank should do well up into the low 6000 rpm range. Even with a forged crank, I don't foresee running my engine(s) over 4000 rpm for any reason, let alone 6k, but I still prefer internal balance and the superior strength of a forged crankshaft. Still, the nodular cast iron cranks used by sundry automotive companies in the 1970s served many folks faithfully. The nodular iron cranks are a bit more flexible than forged ones too. Ford put them in their neutered 335/385 block engines, with economic savings, despite the lost Glory....
DAMN the beancounters!
But if one must count one's own beans, nodular iron will save some.
Gerald Morris
Senior Member
There were 383s with cast cranks in 1971.
3462922 383 / 400 2BBL Cast Externally Balanced
3672000 400 4BBL Cast Premium Cast Crank
Suitable for mild hop-ups
The 6 pack 440 had an externally balanced cast crank also, due to the heavy connecting rods.
These fellows provide a decent quick reference for casting numbers:
Moparts on the Web - Main Index
OK I stand corrected, of the over 3 million 383 built by mother Mopar maybe 1% were cast cranks.
badvs3vil
Active Member
This was exactly going to be my question. What advantages would I gain by switching? My current crank is already being turned, no going back on that cost now and I already have everything ready to install. Hell I just cleaned and painted the balancer yesterday. its pretty!
Looks pretty!
Just peace of mind. You will probably be fine with the cast crank.
I didn't realize you already had the machine work done. Have fun with your build.
twostick
Senior Member
6pak engines were externally balanced because of the heavy rods only. They had forged cranks in them.
NOTHING wrong with a cast crank. Good for a lot more power than most are will to pay the price for.
Kevin
70bigblockdodge
Old Man with a Hat
They will go 6k repeatedly, and 500hp. I would not sweat it.
Gerald Morris
Senior Member
That's right. 500 hp at 6k can be repeatedly done with pretty much stock rotating assembly parts in a B block. Virtman made The Best wedge big block EVER with the B/RB engines. Some nitpick over lack of 4 main crankshaft bolts being available for these engines, but they were in truth, so well designed, there was little NEED for such with them. Less optimal designs from less optimal Detroit corporations NEEDED the 4 main bolts to hold their **** together.
Gerald Morris
Senior Member
Aside from having less stuff on your torque converter, and maybe a little more freedom of what you care to attach to the engine if you fancy older stuff, the only advantage would be peace of mind. Your stuff is beautiful, and I expect it will last longer than gasoline stations in this blighted country....
badvs3vil
Active Member
Well, while I wait for the machine shop, I took out the trans today and dropped it off for a rebuild. $600 for everything.
Gerald Morris
Senior Member
THAT'S an inexpensive rebuild! Let us pray it isn't CHEEP also.
twostick
Senior Member
No reason for them to cost any more than that if you do the R&R. $150 +/- for parts and 2-3 hours labor.
Kevin
Xenon
Senior Member
Who did you send it to , to get re-done...?
Gerald Morris
Senior Member
True enough, IFF you find a good honest shop.
badvs3vil
Active Member
Im still cleaning and painting. Still waiting to hear back from the machine shop.
badvs3vil
Active Member
Xenon
Senior Member
Who did you send it to , to get re-done...?
badvs3vil
Active Member
It's a small local shop by me.
badvs3vil
Active Member
Well I heard back from the machine shop today. Actually was good news. The bores are fine and within spec, as are the pistons. I will need new cam bearings, .020 rod bearings, .010 main bearings and a freeze plug set. The crank is being turned right now. I already ordered all of that stuff from summit. I will have to call him back and ask or maybe someone here might now, which size rings do I get? Im not sure what is Standard size on a 400BB.
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