First of all, I don't think the 400 cleveland block will live with 700 hp in a puller truck. Do you have an aftermarket block? Second, I disagree on short stroke for pulling. A sled puller should have as much torque as possible to get wheel speed up and keep it up, so I think stroke is a big help in being competitive. I have helped with heads and intakes for pulling vehicles in the past, and torque/velocity are primary needs unless you are using n20. I agree on neutral balancing everything with a bit of overbalance at the desired rpm for continued pulling range. Joe-JDC
The block is factory stock .020 over. I am sure it has main studs but I forget if the main caps are modified, I will ask. It does have oiling mods. I don't know the brand of stroker kit. My bro was advised it was good for 7500 but that it would not pull past 7k, and it don't, lol. We hope it will now. We also assume the reason for the small cam is to promote torque?? Or to limit the rpm so it will live??
I think the budget and time would be fine for an upgrade to the cam, especially since the intake has to go back. However I think he wants to give the builder and the package the benefit of the doubt and at least try the combo. I will discuss it with him. The next step up will probably be porting the top end, so when that takes place a new/different cam will again be needed. If and when the bottom goes and it will, I would assume an after market block would be next, provided the CHI parts survive. If they get damaged beyond repair then a 385 series would probably be the next step. When you have a shop full of 400 parts it is had to walk away from them.
The bad thing about pulling is, there is no practice, period. You get one 20 second chance to do good and that's it for the day. You can't even practice at home, there is nothing that can duplicate a sled. Knowing this, it is often very difficult to make yourself change anything, it's like do we dare, will it be worse?
The rules are very liberal, cast iron block, stock crank must fit, any head, carb, intake combo. The head can be aluminum, must be 2 valve and be similar to any factory type. 565 cubic in max for one outfit, 500 max for the other one but anyone can pull, lol
PS: The block has been modified to 4 bolt mains.
Nick