chevy 400

[Bcozzi71]

So today i just picked up a chevy 400 block with no heads today. Iv been doing some reading about 350 heads and internals if you drill steam holes into the heads. Anyone on here have a 400 or can give me any more info on it. This is for my 86 camaro thats a street restoration. It will have some runs down the strip but its not gonna be a raced that often.

Thanks
BTW got it for free..... Well i got it for shoveling a driveway. I got 4 new tires and stock rims for my grand cherokee too!

[1QWIKBIRD]

Google is your friend. Do some homework.

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/400_small_block/index.html

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/6113_chevrolet_406_ci_small_block_build/index.html

http://www.popularhotrodding.com/enginemasters/0202phr_377cI09/index.html

Are the main caps there? 4-bolt or 2-bolt mains? How many drain plugs on the side of the block?

Whoever does your machine work should know how to drill the holes in whatever head you choose, if they are not present. For a street motor, definitely get them drilled. Run a good head gasket and make sure the deck and head surfaces are in good shape. Before you spend your first $1, make sure the block isn't already overbored. Stock bore is 4.125, 4.155 is typical 0.030 over. Beyond that is kinda risky and probably not worth your time and $$$. Then make sure the block isn't cracked and go from there.

You shouldn't need a forged bottom end for a street oriented N/A build....Cast crank (eagle/scat), good set of stock replacement type rods (5.700 rod length I-beams) and good machine work and assembly you'll be set.

[BonzoHansen]

Get the block checked before you spend any money. Those are not the most reliable castings out there, it seems finding good cores has become a challenge.

[//<86TA>\\]

Get the block checked before you spend any money. Those are not the most reliable castings out there, it seems finding good cores has become a challenge.

yes, get the block thoroughly checked out before you do anything to it. It can be a useless block if there are problems

[WildBillyT]

yes, get the block thoroughly checked out before you do anything to it. It can be a useless block if there are problems

X3. Get the block checked. It may be worthless.

[Tru2Chevy]

I'll say it again - get the block checked over thoroughly so you know what you are starting with.

If it all checks out, then cool - 400s make great street motors. FWIW, my machine shop only charged me $20 to drill the steam holes in the heads I put on my 400 - it's a simple procedure for any decent machine shop.

Post up again once you have it checked out and let us know what parts you are thinking about going with.

- Justin

[Featherburner]

FWIW, my machine shop only charged me $20 to drill the steam holes in the heads I put on my 400


- JustinWhat shop?

[Tru2Chevy]

What shop?

Pulcin Machine in Florence. Small shop, owned / run by a dirt track racer. Doesn't do much work anymore as his son is racing go karts and quads all over the country and he's chasing the kid around.

- Justin

[Bcozzi71]

thanks everyone... Yea Im having the block checked over and over very soon. In the mean time he gave me the tires and now a door and fender for the third gen.

If the 400 block checks out I want to go with 350 heads (drilled for the steam holes) and 350 crank, pistons, ETC. Making it a 373. The 400 would have to wait till im done this body work. I just need a few more ground effects pieces and a new QP to weld on.

[crazyblazer87]

hey i have a set of heads for sale also a 400 for sale in the classifieds

[JSPERFORMANCE]

FYI, a 350 crank has smaller journals then a 400..

[Tru2Chevy]

Yea, what Josh said. You can buy a crank for the 400 with the shorter stroke, but you can't just drop a factory 350 crank into a 400 block.

- Justin

[Featherburner]

Bearing spacers.

[85berlinetta]

Why destroke a motor? Leave it a 400, use steam drilled E-tec heads, and if your bottom end can hold up you can see 1.2 horses per cubic inch for like 2 grand.

what he said :nod: