Small Journal Rod on a 400 Crank?

[DRIVEN]

To spare you the long version...
I sold a running 400 SBC to a buddy a couple years ago (including installation) and on his 150 mile drive home he developed a rod knock. Since it was a buddy, I ate the tow bill, reinstalled his original engine after having it rebuilt, and stored the truck for 3 months. He basically got free installation on a mild 350. I got a tow bill, 2 engine swaps, 4 trips to the machine shop and free destruction of my 400. What a pal.
During the autopsy I found that #1 rod bearing was spun. My machine shop was more interested in selling me a $250 core to then regrind than fix mine. I eventually found a reman for $100 outright and the engine is back up and running. I still have the damaged crank which got me thinking...
Since 400 crank mains were routinely turned down for 350 blocks (383), can the the rod throws be turned down for a small journal rod -- making a long rod 383? After some internet searching I found several forums/sites where guys had theorized, but no definitive answers. Anyone done it or seen it?

 

[86Cutlass383SR]

I've never done it or had it done but I see no reason it couldn't be done. All SBC had either the 2.00 small journal or the 2.100 big journal rods. You can buy a 3.832 stroke 400 crank which is a 3.75" offset ground using a 2.00 small journal rod. Makes a 415 cube engine. Or, you could just have all rod throws ground to 2.00 and use a 5.7 400 piston.

Yes, it can be done.

 

[billyjack]

Hot Rod Magazine did an article years ago, where they ground a 400 crank to fit a 350 block, and used super-long rods from a Ford 6 cyl. It made 400 hp and a ton of torque with the long rods on 87 octane fuel. I think the article was titled "The 355 Chevy Should Have Built"

Bill

 

[SafariWagon]

I have seen it done back in the late 80's. Only slightly different. Circle track guy using used sprint car pistons made for a 5.85 (I think) rod length. Offest ground the crank (forget how much) to accept 327 small journal rods. A little decking to the block and he had a nasty 435 SBC for a circle track claimer motor. So ya, it could be done, but you would want to do it to all eight rods to maintain proper balance. I don't think anyone would go to the trouble just to keep the stock stroke. It would be cheaper just to find a new crank, like you already did. The one with the spun rod bearing is toast in my opinion. Only worth what the scrap company will give you.

 

[DRIVEN]

Yeah, I remember that article but it doesn't really apply here. A 400 crank in a 350 block would be a 383. They used 327 crank in 400 block.
http://www.purplesagetradingpost.com/su ... ngine.html
I don't really plan to use the damaged crank. The question was mostly hypothetical. So it has been done then. Good to know. Thanks guys.

 

[billyjack]

Sorry, as I had it backward. I was thinking of a way to use your 400 block with a shorter stroke crank, but my typing didn't match my thoughts. I just think the big-bore, short stroke, long rod combination sounds like a dynamite street package.

Bill