building 1st engine

hi,
Im thinking about building an engine for the 1st time ever, a small block chevy.Im probly going to try to save up for it within the next couple of months. I know everything that goes into them and how they work but never torn one apart or put it back together. Im buying a tape and a few books on engine rebuilding but i was wondering if you guys had any tips or anything for me or experiances that would be helpful.

Also, I have a complete 400 that just needs new rings, a 350 thats complete but doesnt run cuz it sat in the rain like 2 years ago but seems to be in good condition still. And also i 327 that is just a bottom end and looks like its sat there for like 10 years like that and i was wondering what one would be the best buget/ performance engine.
Id like a stroker but i heard they are harder to build.Im just looking for around 400 hp.

thanx guys,
david

For the most power, always choose the larger engine, especially for street use. "There's no subst\itute for cubic inches" is how the saying goes.
However, the 400 Chevy, while powerful and a good stocker, requires significant upgrades to the block to withstand the rigors of high performance street engines. The block is the weak link. This is the reason so many build 383s ("strokers"). A 350 block is much tougher than the 400.
The rusty 327 is probably not a good choice, as it's going to need virtually everything in a rebuild (possibly including some sleeves). The bang-for-the-buck with 327 isn't what it used to be. 350s are thre current Chevy of choice, for the majority.

well i was reading "Chevy High Performance" magazine and they build up a nice 406 so and being that the 400 is complete and running i thought itd be nicer to build that. That way i could leave the top end stock and slowly build up the top end when i got more money?

What exactly would i need to do to the block?
thanx for the help.
david

The sayin is actually "Theres no replacement for displacement" but I'll let it slide. I actually prefer the 350 over bigger motors the parts are cheap its easy to work on and it can really lay down the law when it comes to sheer power. I'd get a machine shop to clean up the block hone it and bore it .30 over and turn it into a 383 stroker. You get lots of torque and plenty of expandibility. And you scavenge the 400 parts you need (crank,rods,harmonic balancer,flywheel, and anything else I forgot) of your 400 with bad rings. And since you can scavenge a good majority of your parts you can look into better parts for the stuff you dont have. The best thing about the stroker is the fact you get alot of power in a smaller lighter package, and you dont have to worry about parts compatibility due to it still being a small block, thats my thought anyway best of luck to you on your maiden voyage. if still choose to go with 400 I really dont know what to do to strenghten it I really havent worked on them much just stolen parts off them.

I agree on the 350. My first was a 4.3 V6, and then a 350, The 350 has so much available, and it's been done so many times before. There is so much more advice and experiance out there on the 350. Just about any mechanic buddy you call can help you with a 350. But then again, there is no replacement for displacement.

SNguy... I've heard that one, too. I misquoted myself... "The only substitute for cubic inches is cubic money" "Applying cubic money to cubic inches, puts it out of reach"

To those considering a "stroker", be advised. The cheepie Chinese cast steel cranks are useless. The Chevrolet iron crank is the only cast one I would recommend. Have it magnefluxed prior to spending any more money on it.
Eagle offers some very good kits for the stroker, varying in rod length, compression ratio, etc. The "pro street" or "competition" assemblies are the only ones I would use. I would also avoid the kits with the KB pistons. Too many changes for what you end up with... The Speed Pro, SRP or JE pistons are FAR superior.