Thread: 400 big block

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i have the opertunity to get a 76 400 big block chevy engine. Im not that familiar with the engine. can any one tell me anything about it.

There was a 396 big block and a 402 big block. The only 400 I know about was a small block.

shows how much i know and apparently the one who owns it. the car is 1976 impala wagon that he said had a 400 in it. he was pretty sure it was a big block

Originally Posted by kerrykeller3

shows how much i know and apparently the one who owns it. the car is 1976 impala wagon that he said had a 400 in it. he was pretty sure it was a big block

Check the exhaust ports on the heads. If they look like this with the two middle exhaust ports together, it's a small block....
http://www.jegs.com/i/Edelbrock/350/77589/10002/-1
If they look like this, with the ports spaced evenly apart along the head, it's a big block....or a small block Ford!!!!!
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...w=1356&bih=595

The 400 small block is a very desireable motor to start with. They can be built as a docile street motor or a fire-belching drag strip motor or anywhere in between. It's no big deal to make 500 hp and 500 ft/lbs of torque with one if you get up off the dime and buy the correct parts. And you can make 400/400 on a budget if you are short the sheckels to do it right.

Just depends on what vehicle the motor will go into and what you want the vehicle to do for you when it's finished.

Just to get you thinking along the right lines, here are some retrofit roller cam kits...

You might build the motor at somewhere between 8.0:1 and 9.5:1 static compression ratio to use this cam....
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HRS-CL110225/

This cam would require somewhere between 8.75:1 and 10.5:1 static compression ratio....
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HRS-CL110235-12/

This cam would want somewhere between 9.5:1 and 10.75:1 static compression ratio....
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HRS-CL110245/

This cam would want somewhere between 10.0:1 and 11.50:1 static compression ratio....
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HRS-CL110255/

This cam would also want somewhere between 10.0:1 and 11.50:1 static compression ratio....
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HRS-CL110265-12/

I'm trying to get you started off properly with the knowledge that you can't just pick a cam out of thin air and expect it to work in your motor. All things must be considered as a combination of parts....or a package of parts that will work together toward a common goal. I'm starting off with getting the camshaft matched with the static compression ratio because that is the most common mistake made by newbies, just to choose the wildest cam grind they can find with no regard to the COMBINATION of parts that go into making an efficient motor.

Of course, as I usually say, everybody starts at the wrong end of the car. You need rear suspension upgrades, gears, tires and posi before you ever start on the motor.

my son and I are looking for our first build. sounds like we may have found a reel gem. This car is all original. motor has never been opened up

very cool info thanks gonna be alot of fun

I agree with tech, I have always thought of a 400 as a small block, but
a very good engine.
To me, a BB is a 496 and above CU inch with a BLOWER, of course all
in fun.

I saw a big block in a stock truck in the weeds on a farm this past week end and the badge on the truck was 400

All 402 engines were badged as 400 engines, except the SS Chevelles, which were badged as 396

Originally Posted by enjenjo

All 402 engines were badged as 400 engines, except the SS Chevelles, which were badged as 396

You are correct. I had forgotten that. The old wagon could have a big block in it.

Originally Posted by techinspector1

You are correct. I had forgotten that. The old wagon could have a big block in it.

yep i knew that but the old timers was in the way did get some out of wagons many moons a go last one i pick up out of a car was a 454 with a steel crank car was not bad shape but i just wanted the block and crank

My 71 Camaro with a 402 is also badged 396

Originally Posted by scottyo

My 71 Camaro with a 402 is also badged 396

hey another MI guy i been to milford many times

My Dad Had a 76 Chevy Caprice and it had the 400 small block in it but it was a special order. Though my Dad didn't order it, it was a floor room special car.
Loved that old chevy it ran great and the belts always seemed the whine a little, not bad though. But it did have it's own sound like most of the other chevy's of that year.
Kurt