Next project will be a 4.05 or 4.08 bore, 390 rods and a 428 crank. Plan on using 72cc heads. I think the crank is available at reasonable cost, rods are available, pistons seem to be the issue. I have heard of custom pistons to adjust the compression ratio to 9.0 to 1. I have heard of machining pistons to get deck clearence and cr. What have you Guys been using? This will be a truck engine, low RPM and lots of torque. Lets do a little bench racing and see what we can come up with for say a budget of 3000.00 for the long block.
William in Atlanta

 

Ross Racing makes forged pistons for the 410 and they can be dealt with through Summit and they have a website but don't know what it is. I have heard that shaved 390 pistons will work also and I know that somebody still makes the original cast pistons as well but I wouldnt use those if I were you. I think for pistons Ross Racing would be your best bet.

 

I believe Flatlander racing has Ross pistons in stock for $569

 

 

There is a site that I found that has a lower price than Flatlander. I can't remember the name of the site. I however would use flatlander simply becuase they ahve been around a while and are a trusted company. Thats my opinion.


Scotty

 

Just for grins I checked the price on a 428 crankshaft at one of the local parts suppliers! $350.00 bucks, and I'm thinking "hey that ain't bad", then the guy asks if I have a core! Nope! Ooh, now the price is $550.00. So, $700.00 for the pistons, $550.00 for the crank, say $800.00 for boring, honing, gaskets, rings, bearings, $1200.00 for a set of Ebock heads, another $500 for a Ebock carburetor and intake, $350.00 for adjustable rockers and new pushrods, say another $300.00 for miscellaneous stuff like plugs, wires, anti-freeze and so on we're at about $4400.00. Well maybe next year!
William in Atlanta

 

Yes, mine has turned out to be anything BUT a budget re-build too!! When I bought the 410 for $550(fan to NP435), I was told that it had miles on it but was still good enough to drop in and drive. There's one born every minute, and my turn was up I guess. As soon as I pulled the pan to look at the bearings (thankfully before an install, but after travelling 750 miles, and already paying for it) I knew I was in big trouble. BTW, you forgot to budget for align honing, balancing, new flywheel (~$350), clutch kit, special gaskets recommended by Edelbrock for their heads and intake, and on-and-on.
One last thought: don't get caught with your guard down when you figure out what compression ratio you want/can use. I originally built mine to 9.9:1, and that proved just not do-able for my truck, the way I use it heavily loaded most of the time. This in spite of my own high aspirations and attention to detail, and assurances from various web-persons that it would be ok. My machinist tried to talk me down from the outset, but I argued with him and did it my way. Now I'm torn apart and still waiting for the Ross dishes that I should have used the first time.
But WOW, the extra torque from the 3.98 stroke crank is awesome, so don't give up on the idea!
Good Luck, Steve

 

Wow! Is a 428 flywheel really that much money? My truck is an auto, so I needed a 428 flexplate when I dropped in the 428 crank, but I found that they were readily available for about $50.

I think that 9.5:1 is about the limit for compression on an iron-headed, pump gas FE in a truck, and even that may be pushing it depending on a host of other factors (thermostat temp, cooling system condition, ignition timing, cam duration and timing, even the climate where you live). You might get away with 9.9 or 10:1 with aluminum heads, but that is $1200 I don't want to spend.

 

You can also take the TRW L2291 pistons and cut them down to zero deck.

 

Not to brag but I got my 428 crank for free. Lucky me