360 with a 401 crank

[magnum440]

Just joined the forum. I am interested in putting a 401 crank in a 360. Looked around the site for about an hour and couldn't find any info on this. Is this worth all the trouble? I have seen other info on the net.

[jeepsr4ever]

Most 360 blocks can be bored to 4.165 (std 401 bore) from 4.08 (std 360 bore). The bottom of the cylinders will need to be notched like they are in a 401 block for the rods. The setup makes a 360 into a 401 and the only real disadvantage is the fact that the 360 block is much weaker than a 401 block. A 401 block has very thick main webbing where the 360 has tapered main webbing. Not to discount the 360 block it is much stouter than its cousins in their perspective CIDs. their really isnt much tech to it unless you stroke the 401 crank and run a chevy journal 2.00 or 2.100 or go buck wild and run a honda 1.9 journal and get a 4" stroke 401 crank in a .030 360 block and make 426 AMC cubes.

[magnum440]

I have three 360 engine's and 401's are kind of hard to find in eastern NC. Do you need special pistons for a .030 bore? I may just stick with 360 stock stroke. It just sounded good calling it a stroker. It's going in a '80 CJ-5.

[jeepsr4ever]

If you use the 401 crank and rods at .030 yes. the 401 rods are thinner on the large end and have a larger hole for the wrist pin by .070. In alot of ways it is cheaper to find and build a 401 than it is to stroke a 360. If you already have the rods and crank then you are custom pistons away.