Building a stroker (cheapish)

[69long"n"low]

So my harmonic ballancer sheered off and messed up my crank so i need a new one i was thinking about trying to find a 400 crank and building a stroker but i just wanted to hear what you guys had to say for best ways to do it. Right now i have a 350 with a .020 over boar and a pretty hot cam just trying to see what my options are.

[mrein3]

Here is what I did (I've posted this before). Sorry about the formatting.
I bought a used crank that my machine guy had laying around. I used my 350 connecting rods and a well seasoned but virgin 350 block out of a 1971 Monte Carlo. The heads were rebuilt a year or two before I did this job. I simply bolted them on the 383. Better heads would be nice but for under $1300, what do you expect?

383 related parts & labor:
Crankshaft $200.00
400 Balancer (used) $30.00
Balance job $200.00
Cut con rods for cam clearance $20.00
400 flywheel $30.00
clearance block for con rod clearance $15.00
ARP con rod bolts $38.00
Oil pumpdrive $8.00
Oil pumpsump $9.00
Performance engine Kit: Sealed power moly rings, Fel pro gaskets, con rod bearings, main bearings, cam bearings, block plugs, 383 pistons, three piece timing set, oil pump $317.00
R&R block plugs $10.00
degrease block $35.00
deck block $50.00
bore & deck-plate hone cyl(s) $80.00
deck-plate charge $10.00
Remove, install, & fit cam bearings $25.00
Recon con rods $80.00
Pin fit new pistons $28.00
Assemble short block $75.00
Sales tax $26.13
$1,286.13

[piecesparts]

Remember, unless you purchase a crank that is INTERNALLY balanced, you will end up with a 400 crank that is designed to be externally balanced--it will need a different flexplate or flywheel (depending on wht you have) in the back.

Lesson learned by me: Be sure to buy quality parts for the rebuild and think about a good set of rods for the engine. I busted a rod on my 383 and put a big hole in the side of the block---My next 383 has far better parts in it, so if it breaks this time, I was asking for it.

[BarryB]

Building a stroker motor isn't going to cheap no mater what. There is machine work to do no matter what.
But If you don't already have the parts needed. Get you a kit from Eagle, Summit has the complete kit , everything you'll need for around a 1000. I have seen these kits, there nice. I kinda wish I had went this route when I was collecting parts for my stroker motor.

[steelhorse]

I have seen the cheaper kits in summit for around 800 balanced.

[BarryB]

Originally Posted by steelhorse

I have seen the cheaper kits in summit for around 800 balanced.

I went back and took another look at the cheaper kits. The are alot of footnote's to read but it looks like you can get a kit for 750.00- 800.00 depending on your needs.
The kits I was talking about originally are the upgraded kits for street/strip motors.

[69long"n"low]

Thanks for all the advise ive looked at the kits to and it looks like thats the easiest way to go but what machining do i need to have done to the block other then the overbore?

[steelhorse]

The lower part of the cyls need some work and the oil pan rail also.How much depends on each kit.

[69long"n"low]

Do the kits come with machining instructions

[steelhorse]

Dont know but any good machine shop should be able to handle it.BTY you will also need a small base circle cam,comp cams or whoever should be able to help with this.

[whatnow123]

Buy a 350 short block and and get new heads, that will give you the best bang for the buck. A 383 will still be a dog if you are using crappy heads. My 350 screams since I switched heads.

Just my thoughts.