When we approached Indy Cylinder Heads a couple of months ago to build a stroker 400 Wedge for our new 1968 Valiant project car, we never imagined in our wildest dreams it would end up be something this cool. In hindsight though, Indy has a reputation for doing everything top notch, and this solid-lifter 500-inch low-deck stroker motor is no exception. We’ll be featuring the complete build-up—along with dyno results— in two parts starting with the June issue, but we’ll be letting some tantalizing tidbits over the transom between now and then.
This beauty shot of the assembled engine, taken by photographer Richard Spahr, shows off one important detail: a gleaming aluminum alloy block called the Indy Maxx. This is our ace in the hole; by shedding hundreds of pounds with an all-aluminum engine, we hope our 500-inch Wedge will end up around the same weight as our outgoing, all-iron slant six. The power-to-weight ratio of this mill in our flyweight Valiant should be earth shattering. We’ll be running some more details of the aluminum Indy Maxx block later this week, so stay tuned!