My engine builder wants to build up a 400 stroker for my powerplay xlt-185. From word of mouth ive herd mixed feelings on this and curious what you all think. I had a 350 in the boat originally, but a broken oil journal has trashed the block. I have a alpha one setup right now. The builder is very well know in my area and Im not worried about his abilities. Just not sure the 400 stroker is the best choice... i'd hate to tell him hes wrong considering I dont know much about engines.

Thank you for any comments, as you can see i'm lost....

with the right parts i think a 400 would be killer in that boat!

I built a 400 small block 425 Hp and installed it into a 25' Carver cabin cruiser. Did 50Mph at WOT. Thus is where my screenname is Mr. Bravo III. Alfa drive will be your weak link overall. But gentle on the sticks and hold on brother.
Oh yeah, i had closed cooling also, and after a minuet it started to climb in temp past 160 degrees. 400 have a tendency to run hot.

Good ole 350s are hard to beat for overall perf'.
B38

A small block 400 (I have a 406) can absolutely rock balls when built right. Mine makes about 500HP and a bit more torque 515-20.

Watch it push my little tunnel up to bout 90. We got 86.7 and are out of prop and need to go to a 30P


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfbNk...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1jGI...eature=related

Thing is you have to spend real money on the build up- (good heads- the right cam, and a real exhaust system) to make it work but if you do - itll be a great mill.

Uncle Dave

The Torque of the 400 out shines the 350's any day. Use the Longest connecting rods that you can (Even 5.7s are okay) 6's even better. A good quality rotating assembly is key for longevity, and you can spin it 5500+. Thats what I would build....

I think that it could be an amazing combo also, but what im afraid of is the cooling from a alpha one... would it be enough? also the steam jackets... herd those can get clogged. Do these issues pull you away from this motor? Im waiting on a phone call from the builder on some more needed details on the cam, heads, and pistons that will be used.

Correct me if im wrong, but since this is going to be a stroker 400 that its going to be internally balance then? I know 400s are externally balanced...

It could be internally balanced if the builder does this. They are great engines for a boat, I drilled my steam holes a bit big in the heads; they plugged up anyway (ran in salt a lot) - did not seem to matter as there is quite a bit of water flow in a marine motor. Could be problematic as you have the low volume Alfa pump though? I would tend to think it would be okay.

Those youtube videos are pretty sweet, not sure my hull could handle those speeds. There is a guy named "woogie" in another forum that has an xlt going 90 i think.

So... we'll see...

perfect for marine use,if your going to stroke it dont go more than 3.850 on the stroke, on a stock block it gets touchy on cam profiles and tha 4.00 stroke will put alot of pressure on the cylinder walls and you have to hog out to much in the block to get the crank to fit.

Use an aftermarket block. The original chevy blocks haven't been made for 30 years and they are not very good. Then you do not have to worry about the steam holes cracking or drilling the holes in your heads.