400 where a 305 was??

[abaird]

Found a 400 chevy small block out of a 1975 chevy truck for $50. I have a 1986 that has a 305. I'm sure it would be a direct bolt up to my 700r4 but wanted to check if things like the distributor, altenator, etc. would bolt up fine and work ok. All of the smog control crap on my 86 has been removed.
Also, were 400s good chevy engines, I would overhual it before putting it in. I wanted a 350 but thought that this might be just as good. Thanks for any input.

Andy

[2000CAYukon]

I learned how to drive with a 70 Pontiac Catalina wagon with a 400 engine and Turbo 400 tranny. That thing would smoke one tire (no posi) until the cows came home. Very strong motor.

The 700R4 may be a problem depending on the torque output on the 400 that you build. Don't know how the 86 controlled the 305 but if it uses a computer than you will need to change the prom to run a 400.

I think the 400 would work real nice in your 86.

//2000CAYukon

[broughy84]

It's "plug and play" my friend! All ya gotta do it drop it in and go. Everything will work!!!

[jveik]

the only bad thing about the 400 small block is the siamese cylinders. thats where the cylinders are bored so much that between the one and two cylinders, the three and four cylinders, and so on to seven and eight, the sleeves, (or whatever you want to call them)for the two cylinders are touching so that there is no water jacket in between the cylinders or something like that. basically, in plain english, this makes it harder to keep the 400 cool and hence they are said to be more prone to overheating than thier smaller-displacement counterparts. Also, i think the heads have something special in them, some kind of channels drilled in them for some purpose i dont recall right now.

i bet its a torquey mother trucker tho lol

[skipr]

Originally Posted by jveik

the only bad thing about the 400 small block is the siamese cylinders. thats where the cylinders are bored so much that between the one and two cylinders, the three and four cylinders, and so on to seven and eight, the sleeves, (or whatever you want to call them)for the two cylinders are touching so that there is no water jacket in between the cylinders or something like that. basically, in plain english, this makes it harder to keep the 400 cool and hence they are said to be more prone to overheating than thier smaller-displacement counterparts. Also, i think the heads have something special in them, some kind of channels drilled in them for some purpose i dont recall right now.

i bet its a torquey mother trucker tho lol

Correct, the 400 is the largest displacement you can get from a small block V8. So like he said the walls are very thin. The 396 BB is actually a much bigger engine than the 400 SB. But the 400 SM is a damm good powerful engine. Does anyone remember the Chevy 409 engine? I can't remember if that was a BB or SB.

[jveik]

yeah my 73 to 87 chevy truck chiltons manual has a 409 listed in it.

[Newt408]

Originally Posted by abaird

Found a 400 chevy small block out of a 1975 chevy truck for $50. I have a 1986 that has a 305. I'm sure it would be a direct bolt up to my 700r4 but wanted to check if things like the distributor, altenator, etc. would bolt up fine and work ok. All of the smog control crap on my 86 has been removed.
Also, were 400s good chevy engines, I would overhual it before putting it in. I wanted a 350 but thought that this might be just as good. Thanks for any input.

Andy

I replaced my 305 with a 400. Make sure you have at least a 3 core radiator to keep it cool. If you change heads make sure you get steam holes drilled in the new ones. You wont be dissapointed in power vs the 305 either.

[Fish36991]

Originally Posted by skipr

Does anyone remember the Chevy 409 engine? I can't remember if that was a BB or SB.

I 99% sure the 409 is a beef-up 348 that all the belairs ran in the late '50s to early '60s. It's a big block engine but the two motors are the same core engine. Often came with the 6-pack carb/s.

Josh

[jveik]

yeah actually my chiltons book lists a 406 as an available engine. i dont know if its a small block or not tho