I got my motor (408) back the other day and they said everything was OK with the block, the rod's needed to be R&R'ed, but the thrust was shot on the crank. I’m trying to decide what to do now. I'm going to need a new crank, pistons, one head is cracked so I'll need new heads, might as well get new rods while I'm at it. What I'm not sure about is if I should do the 408 or get a 350 and start over with it. I like the "seat" feel of the TQ with the 408 but am not real sure what would be more reliable. My 408 has been decked & line honed the mains but I’ll have to get the rotating assembly balanced again so I’m basically starting from zero with either way I go. I’d like to get about 400-450 HP out of what ever I do. Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks! graemlins/beers.gif

the 350 may be cheaper to build but id build the 408. Its hard to beat seeing a big block under the hood. And in most cases you will make tourqe easier with a big block, tourqe is what gets your car movin.

I should have made it more clear that I've got a 400 smblk bored 40 over. Sorry!! graemlins/clonk.gif I'd like to put a bb in but that's out of my price range!! Thanks for the reply though!! graemlins/beers.gif

Put the SBC 400 in the car, My 400 is ready for pickup at the machine shop, so I will pick it up tomorrow and start with the building process.
Once again:
Their no Replacement for Displacement
bigger is better... graemlins/waving.gif
"Knuff Said"

double post: deleted

Agreed! There is no replacement for displacement; When in doubt, Bore it out!!!
All other things being equal the larger displacement engine will always make more power.

graemlins/beers.gif

What brand of crank should I run? It’s not going to spin much over 6000 and I’d rather spend money on a good set of heads rather than on the crank, but I still want it to hold together! How much trouble is it to run longer rods with the 400 crank? Also I was thinking about making a 377 out of it. Have heard some good things about them. Just trying to decide what to do! My block is a 2 bolt but I have a 4 bolt but I’m not sure what has been done to it. Sometimes think I’d be better of going back with Horses, the 4-legged kind!! ;)

they can weld up the thrust on the crank for pretty cheap. so don't let that obsticle make you think you need a new crank. a stock crank with a good balance job should be able to handle 6000rpms with no trouble. i was all ready to tell you to run the 350, until i saw that your current motor was not a big block. :D in which case i say go for the 400 sbc. ;)