Thread: Is a sbc 400 worth time or a waste

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That does help, When you say aluminum I see dollar signs and increased maintaince. So I think I'll stick with reliability.

There's nothing wrong with aluminum heads in the reliability department. You can even find some good ones at a decent price.

Put that 400 together with the hypereutectic pistons and a good set of heads, an you'll have a neck snapper.

I have been browsing different makers or Aluminum heads (just looking at differences), but there are some options that I am not familiar; (correct me if i'm wrong) I believe the cc's like 180cc or 210cc is intake flow ...correct,

There is another smaller cc to designate volume and the smaller you have the higher compression (factoring in piston dome/dish) Correct so far?

One thing I have been curious is the degree that is mentioned...I have seen 12 degree heads, and 23 and 24 degree heads Where does this angle come from and what does going one way vs the other give you? I'm familiar with different angle valve seats but I don't think these are the same descriptions.

This would be where one of those software dyno's would come in handy comparing results of all these different heads with each its own combination of intake, exhaust, cylinder volume! its mind numbing to weigh the options on what is best with what one needs. Has anyone written a good article on choosing heads that ya'll know about?

Thanks Again!
JT

you are correct on the runner volume and the combustion chamber for the degrees the angles some one else will have to answer that and i am also curious about that

HotRod did a article on the some dart small combustion heads
for like 515 hp but that is not pump gas

I have been browsing different makers or Aluminum heads (just looking at differences), but there are some options that I am not familiar; (correct me if i'm wrong) I believe the cc's like 180cc or 210cc is intake flow ...correct,

Not correct. This is the intake port volume, not the flow figure in cfm.

There is another smaller cc to designate volume and the smaller you have the higher compression (factoring in piston dome/dish) Correct so far?

correct. this is the combustion chamber volume in cc's (64, 72, 76, etc.)

One thing I have been curious is the degree that is mentioned...I have seen 12 degree heads, and 23 and 24 degree heads Where does this angle come from and what does going one way vs the other give you? I'm familiar with different angle valve seats but I don't think these are the same descriptions.

This is the valve angle in the head as it relates to the block deck surface. As the valve angle decreases, you must pay more attention to valve-piston clearance.

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/48778/

I to just picked up a 400, for cheap. I've been having problems finding some specs on it, where can I find out about my motor?

About you 400 Chevy, No they are not safe they will explode and kill everyone in your state. They will put you in jail for 2 lifetimes. Your favouite girl will mate with your nemisis. Your mother will develop a dependancy on spinach and liver. Your cell number and your cel(ular) number will always be the same. you kids will call the milkman - daddy. Best send me that 400 engine for proper disposal in my 23 T Bucket.
Well, It seemed like a good idea.

Stroke that 400 and bore it .030. out to 435 cubic inches. Run a 480-500 lift hydraulic roller cam with roller rockers. Keep RPM under 5500.
The 435 will enjoy plenty of Fuel. Add 2 585 Holleys ( from 5.0L Mustangs or F150s) on a tunnel ram with individual runners (Edelbrock style). Give car plenty of cooling , add an extra rad in the trunk or somewhere. Overdrive water pump See Stewart components.com re better water pumps. Enjoy it or send it to me

Excellent! I haven't thought about stroking my 400! I stroked a 350 block with a 400 crank, What crank do you use for stroking a 400 block? I need to do some googleing to see what I come up with!

Love the idea!
JT

Use a 400 crank. get it"offset ground" which removes material from the rod journals to increase the stroke. Not every machine shop does offset grinding so you might have to do some research. The new journal size will be that of the 350 rods, so you will be using 350 rods. There is debate about 5.7 or 6" rods. check out some sites that deal with stroking engines. I believe there is a shop called West Coast Engines that strokes engines.They have a web site. Remember that offset grinding will remove weight from the crank but those engines still have a weighty throw. keep rpm below 5500. Run this new combination through desktop dyno. Bored .030 over this new engine is 435 inches.

Production Chevy 400 block....433 inches....

http://www.rpmmachine.com/400-433-ch...roker-sb.shtml

Dart Iron Eagle tall deck block....450 inches on pump gas....

http://www.speedomotive.com/SBC%2045...RANK%20KIT.htm