SBC 400 UPGRADES???'s

[dickeymoore]

I have a complete original sbc 400 engine that is supposed to have low mileage and has sat in a climate controlled garage for 30 plus years,I got the engine started and it runs great,would it be okay to install aftermarket aluminum heads,cam,etc and have a great sbc 400 engine?Thanks

 

[pagrunt]

One thing up front, the OE heads on the 400 has specific holes in the heads to match the ones in the block to help with cooling as the cylinders are siamese bores with outh the spacing between them like all other SBC's. This also could limit max boring if the block would ever need it. But most typical SBC upgrades work to get some extra fun out of them.

 

[79 USA 1]

As stated above the heads need the steam holes drilled between the cylinders for street use. Long crank stroke with a short connecting rod makes the 400 a great torque engines but be warned in stock form 5500 RPM is the safe threshold with the stock 5.56 connecting rods.
Just a side note without removing the oil pan, 2 freeze plugs on the side of the 400 engine block normally denotes a two bolt main block, 3 freeze plugs is normally a 4 bolt main block. Two bolt main blocks have the boss cast into it but not machined.

 

[dickeymoore]

I have sbc edelbrock heads with steamholes and hyd roller camshaft and parts in my daily driver now that all of a sudden developed oil blow by just want to swap all parts to the original sbc 400 engine.

 

[565bbchevy]

Yes they will all swap over

 

[bracketchev1221]

Won’t be a problem it’ll be fine. If they’re 64 cc heads it’ll wake up the stock 400 some.

 

[dickeymoore]

10-4

 

[Cauterize]

I've wanted to do something similar to the 400 in my wife's S10. It only has 20000 miles but she isn't keen to change anything yet.