[Mustangsaly]

I have acquired a GM 400 cast crank, I want to build my son a budget 383 stroker. instead of using the 5.565 rods and 350 pistons, can I use 5.7 GM factory rods and 383 pistons with a 400 balancer and flexplate ?

or can I use a 350 unbalanced flywheel and one of these plates ? (pic below) if the plate is used, can I use a 350 balancer instead of a 400 balancer & a unbalanced flywheel with a GM 400 crank ? or a 400 balancer is needed with the plate and a unbalanced flywheel ?

if I use that plate, do I need to take the balancer and the plate & flywheel in with the crank and pistons & rods to the machine shop to be balanced ?

just the mains on the 400 crank need to be turned down to fit in the 350 block ? I realize that theres probably going to be block clearancing and maybe rod clearancing.

theres prob better method's to build 383 than this. but whats your opinion on this method ?

[GMC boogie]

Just me but, I would go for a new SCAT 9000 series stroker crank for $189 plus shipping. The stock 400 crank will require the mains to be turned down .200. Not cheap at alot of machine shops. The 5.7 rod Scat crank will need a 400 style damper and flexplate for balancing. Never used the balanced plate before but it looks like it is made to use with a neutral flexplate.

[Notorious]

Ditto. Using a factory 400 crank in this day and age is just beating your head against the wall. Stroker kits of (at least) stock quality are available for around $700 or so, including crank, rods, pistons as well as rings and bearings.

[Mustangsaly]

Originally Posted by GMC boogie

Never used the balanced plate before but it looks like it is made to use with a neutral flexplate.

is made to be used neutral flywheel.

[GMC boogie]

Originally Posted by Mustangsaly

is made to be used neutral flywheel.

It will work with either a flexplate(auto) or a flywheel(manual)

[Hippie]

Unless you have a good buddy that works in an automotive machine shop sell the 400 crank to someone building a 400 and just but a Scat or Eagle crank. You can get one of their cast cranks for what it will cost you to have the 400 turned. Better yet buy the complete rotating assembly as a kit, you'll wish you had before you're all done trying to piece everything together.

[Mustangsaly]

well I don't have a good buddy that works in an automotive machine shop. I will look into a Scat or Eagle crank. and look at complete rotating assemblys as a kit.



thanks

[F-BIRD'88]

Find a 400ci 2 bolt block to go with your 400 crank and build a real motor.
406ci with 5.7" rods. Yes it will need to be balanced.

[fiscus]

When you get your stuff balanced bring every little piece in with you. I wouldn't use that balance plate because it will introduce more chance for wobble in your flywheel and will move the ring gear location relative to the starter. I got a scat 383 kit with forged pistons and 5.7" rods and it almost internal balanced, but needed mallory to make it so I went external. I got a new jobber flywheel for $100 online, and a professional products 8" balancer and its all good now.