[elky] Re: 400 ci engine?
- From: Chris Lindh <chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: elky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 6 Mar 2011 11:22:51 -0500
Nice write up Ray. When I saw the question last night I thought I'd
search around today to supplement my foggy memory, but you nailed it.
I recall the big block versions being marketed as Turbo-Jet 400s.
Back to Saul's questions, the 400 is a good powerplant. The stock
short 5.565 rods are not desirable, but the extra cubic inches
certainly are. There are a few other minor differences between 400s
and a 350: steam holes, bore, stroke, gaskets. For all out
performance the 2 bolt blocks are preferred because they have more
material, so you can add splayed 4 bolts, but there is a point where
an aftermarket block starts to make more sense. My '80 has a 0.030
over 400 (406.6) also , stock stroke, internal balance with 6" rods.
I agree with Robert, that '74 would have to be in good shape to
warrant that price. What is the status of your current Elky? Looking
to replace it, or? If you're looking for another I suggest finding
one with the best paint, (2nd would be good engine) you should be able
to repair most everything else reasonably easily.
Chris
On Sat, Mar 5, 2011 at 10:50 PM, Ray Buck <rbuck@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> There are two different motors that were known as a 400. The one most
> widely known is the 400 smallblock. They're great motors. They have
> siamesed cylinders to allow the larger bore and got a reputation for
> overheating when hotrodders put their double-hump heads on 'em. This WILL
> cause overheating cuz 400 sbcs need steam holes to facilitate the cooling.
> My Elky had a mild 406 (400 sbc bored .030 over) and never had any
> heating/cooling problems. My Monte Carlo has a hot 406...its 2nd
> incarnation. It was a great motor except for the high-volume oil pump I put
> in it. It sucked all the oil outta the sump faster than the return galleys
> could get it back and it flattened its cam. I haven't fired the 2nd
> incarnation yet...but it's turning over and gets close to firing up every
> day...more or less.
>
> The other version of the 400 is a big block. It came about as the result of
> a block casting error that required every one of that batch of 396 castings
> to be bored .030 over (the bores were off-center) and that created a 402 cid
> motor. There was some corporate/political deal at the time that prohibited
> motors larger than 400 cid, so most of 'em were marketed at either as 396s
> or 400s. I bleeve some cars that had 'em WERE sold with 402 badges, tho.
> Can't remember which ones. Maybe someone else can dredge that outta the
> memory banks.
>
> In other news, I spent Thursday and Friday shooting the Salt Lake Autorama.
> Completely wore me out, so I've taken most of today off. I'll have photos
> soon.
>
> r
>
>
> On 3/5/2011 8:25 PM, Mary McCarthy wrote:
>
> Classic is the step up from 'cheap model". (look for side moldings and a
> vinyl headliner)
>
> sprint's is a 400 which is supposed to be a workhorse. In the '76 it was
> dumbed down to meet federal regulation (i.e. flat cam). It's a small block
> that could be a big small block with the right innards. (Ray - wasn't yours
> a 400, too?)
>
> In '74 there were two 400's - the 2 bbl and the 4 bbl. All 400's were
> automatics. The bench seat was standard in the cheap and the classic. They
> all had the big round headlights.
>
> If you want more tech data, I have to do more research.
>
> $3600 sounds on the high end, but if it's in good shape, with a good
> engine, reasonable.
>
> and yeah, Sprint comes with a 25 gallon gas tank to get you from one gas
> station to the next.
>
> Mary
>
> Anybody have any opinions about Chevy's 400 V8 engine? Is that a big block
> or a small block? I don't see that engine much while window-shopping on the
> internet for Novas and El Caminos. I kinda have my eye on the '74 in the ad
> pasted below.
>
> My Dad's '79 van used to have a 400. Terrible on gas. Lots of torque.
> Probably not a hot-rod engine, but history has shown that I'm not really a
> hot-rod guy...I'd just like a nice big El Camino that runs good.
>
> Saul
> '73 GMC Sprint
>
> ----- Forwarded Message ----
> From: "saulmarsh72@xxxxxxxxx" <saulmarsh72@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: saulmarsh72@xxxxxxxxx
> Sent: Sat, March 5, 2011 8:45:23 PM
> Subject: 1974 Chevrotlet El Camino Classisc for sale or trade - $3600
> (Denton Tx)
>
> saulmarsh72@xxxxxxxxx has forwarded you this craigslist.org posting.
>
> Please see below for more information.
>
> Visit the posting at http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/cto/2239660461.html to
> contact the person who posted this.
>
> ________________________________
>
> 1974 Chevrotlet El Camino Classisc for sale or trade
>
> Date: 2011-02-28, 3:11PM
>
> El Camino Classisc with 400 v8 low miles runs and drives great. Asking
> $3,600.00 cash or best offer. Will trade for big boy toys, guns, etc...
> Call KC (940) 442 3758
>
> Location: Denton Tx
> it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial
> interests
>
> Original URL: http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/cto/2239660461.html
>
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