67 firebird engine

hi guys im new here to this forum deal and the car bizz.

i had a few questions i already posted them earlier but i think i posted them in the wrong area. i just bought a 67 firebird and was told it had a 400. it did but a chevy smallblock 400 casting number 3951509. was just wondering what i should expect from this engine. What octane should i run in it? my mechanic abilities a very limited still.i was told it had a th350 but the only marking ive found so far are a T with a 14 under it on the left side of the tranny, iu do know it is a 3 speed.

my other question is i bought this with a bent a arm front left lower. i replaced it and had the wheels aligned but the shop said it still has negative camber on both sides, ( CAN IT BE MY COILS?) i do know the frame is not bent. everythin looks stock.

any help would be great like i said im new to the car bizz.

thank you

Are you sure this is a Chevy engine?

Firebirds did come with a Pontiac block 400 cid engine in 1967 (through to 1977).

It is possible someone swapped in a Chevy engine, but its not too easy; it requires a different transmission and engine mounts (from a Camaro) to make a Chevy engine work in a Firebird.

A Pontiac 400 It is a different engine than a Chevy 400. It's easy to tell them apart; can you post some pics?
Otherwise, Pontiac engines have a seperate intake manifold and lifter valley cover; Chevys have a 1-piece manifold and cover.

IMO the value of the car is somewhat reduced if it has a Chevy engine. IMO we should identify the engine positively before advising you on what to expect. A Pontiac 400 engine is terrific. A Chevy 400 engine is a low compression, high torque engine manufactured from 1971 (70?) to '76, primarily for use in large cars and light trucks.

As for the alignment, any alignment shop worth the name can tell you why the camber is excessive. If there is nothing bent, the shop should easily be able to get the proper camber. If they cannot do so, something is definitely bent (Frame, A arms) or bad, such as worn ball joints.

Coils would only affect camber if they were sagging severely; and this would be noticeable just by looking at the car.

The "509" block is a Chevy, alright... That's the rarest of 400 SB blocks. It should have two expansion plug "bosses" on each side, instead of the usual three. Some 400s, the middle one wasn't machined, but the boss is there. The 509 is desired among those trying to build a "stealth" small block. Have it "internally balanced", and without close scrutiny, it looks like a 350.

MagicRat is absolutely correct, in that Pontiacs of that era did NOT use Chevy V8s.

If the trans has a rectangular pan with one corner "lopped off", and it shifts twice, it's either a TH250 or 350. More than likely, it's the 350.

MagicRat is also correct that the Chevy engine will reduce the value of the car significantly. Somebody in the car's past fell for the line about "Must use a Chevy, Pontiacs won't make power"... I would put a Pontiac 400 in it, and tell the Chevy crowd how much better the car runs, handles and drives... They (early 'birds) are designed for the Pontiac, so the weight balance and performance are all affected. And 400 Pontiac is the engine that was in the vast majority of GTOs. We all know, of course, GTO earned a reputation for being slow.... NOT!

Jim

thanks,

thanks,
thanks for the input guys.
i having trouble right now really working on the car because i live in an apartment complex which doesnt allow anybody to work on there cars and i cant get the car out to the street because the starter just went out. i would really like to keep that chevy engine in it for now because it really does run strong. the ignition was all upgraded to an electronic msd 6al, and from what the guys tell me this was a full time race car because the entire engine bay was gutted and the battery mounted in the trunk, traction bars and a tci shifter but you guys tell me, and could that have any affect on the allignment if it was raced out.

thanks again guys