[elky] Re: 400 ci engine?

  • From: Taj Wesley <soldiert101@xxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <elky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Sun, 6 Mar 2011 12:05:30 -0500

that doesnt seem bad of a price considering theyre sellling fully built 400s 
around here for the same price. just throw some vortec heads on it call it a 
day if you decide to get it. there is a guy with a malibu around here that 
takes stock 400, vortec heads, and of course nitrous usually runs 13. i dont 
know if he is just messing around or not but he does go through blocks left and 
right.

> From: chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Date: Sun, 6 Mar 2011 11:22:51 -0500
> Subject: [elky] Re: 400 ci engine?
> To: elky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> 
> 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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> > ________________________________
> >
> >
> 
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