[goatwgn]

Originally Posted by formulapk

my budget is not set in stone but even so if i do spend more i intend to build the bottom end first...i'd rather say spend the extra 600 and stroke the motor, do all the bottom end work first, stay stock on heads then when the speed bug bites i could just swap heads and not have to pull the motor again! but thats just another idea right now

Lots of info here on 461 (stroked 400) builds, if that is something you might be interested in. I don't think you will be disappointed in the easy power you can make with one of these combos if your budget permits. If you do go this route- you may want to consider beefing up your TH350 (if that is what your car still has with the 301), or use that Th400 that came with your engine.

[formulapk]

Ollie i actually own Max Hand's book, i bought it a few years ago and actually the funny thing is as i've started to read it i realized its from his book i actually found out about this website/forum!

also i started disassembling today and took a wire brush to the heads to clean up some of the rust and Cobrabill was right they are actually #96 heads. so are these heads worth rebuilding? or should i look into finding another set ?

[1971WARBIRD]

1971 96 heads are very nice. approx 96 cc, big valves, nice ports as stock with potential to really port out.

[formulapk]

to all of those who've been saying it since the beginning i'm finally on board...more power!

a few weeks ago i dropped off the stripped block to a local builder and the 461 stroker build has already begun! we haven't hammered out everything as this build will go through the winter but we're shooting for no less than 450 ! obviously budget has changed to ....well still not sure but significantly higher

now for the another important update i'm hoping some of you can be of service with, a few weeks ago the u-joint at the slip yoke broke on the highway and broke the th350 bellhousing around almost every mounting hole. i still have the th400 that came with the engine which i know is a bit of a power stealer but was thinking about rebuilding and installing anyway. only question being whether or not anyone knows if i will need driveshaft adjustments other than a new slip yoke. the engine and tranny were from a 71 Grand Prix, the th400 i believe to be a short tail. i've had a few recommendations to install an Ultra Bellhousing but on a stock rebuilt 350 i don't think its worth the cost. if i do need to shorten the shaft how do i get a precise measurement ? opinions ?

[74Grandville]

not sure what year car you have, but on my 79 Firebird, I had to run a shorter driveshaft. it's about 1inch shorter i believe. you'll also have to move the cross member back 6inches. I also run a Lokar electric kick down kit.

[Squidward]

Short tail th400 is about 3/4" longer than the th350. If your th400 is indeed a short tail (I thought gp's had long tails, but I am a fb guy) then you need a new crossmember, shifter cable bracket, shortened driveshaft, and th400 yoke. I can't remember if the dipsticks interchange, but I don't think they do.

[Squidward]

Saw pic, yup... Looks like the short tail.

[pggto]

Yep a 71 GP is a short tail th400. If your going to build a trans a th350 will be plenty strong enough for 450 hp with a good rebuild, then you don't have to mess with the drive shaft and cross member.