SBC 400 UPGRADES???'s

Status
Not open for further replies.

dickeymoore

G-Body Guru
May 6, 2009
924
113
43
Atlanta,Georgia
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

Geezer
Sep 14, 2014
9,124
15,255
113
Elderton, Pa
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.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

79 USA 1

Royal Smart Person
Sep 2, 2011
1,062
2,033
113
Cheektowaga, New York
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.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

dickeymoore

G-Body Guru
May 6, 2009
924
113
43
Atlanta,Georgia
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

Geezer
Aug 8, 2011
9,590
12,612
113
Michigan
Yes they will all swap over
 

bracketchev1221

Royal Smart Person
Jan 18, 2018
1,386
1,599
113
Won’t be a problem it’ll be fine. If they’re 64 cc heads it’ll wake up the stock 400 some.
 

Cauterize

Floater of Valves
Supporting Member
Feb 9, 2019
509
1,528
93
Deathbridge
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.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user
Status
Not open for further replies.

GBodyForum is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Please support GBodyForum Sponsors

Classic Truck Consoles Dixie Restoration Depot UMI Performance

Contact [email protected] for info on becoming a sponsor