Averystingray75

So I bought a 400sbc with a new crank, flat-top pistons and rods (350 style) supposedly installed. I put it in my 75 c3 so, I only paid 500$ for it and its a '509 casting. However the crappy 882 heads are failing (valve guides shot, probably more) its burning oil bad. I got a set of '906 vortecs for 40$ I want to know, can I ONLY drill steam holes, and slap them on my 400 with a good gasket??? I have the rockers allready with it. And I'm going to get the proper intake to use a carb. The 400 I have supposedly still has the stock cam, so I'm not worried about the poor lift the vortecs have, I don't want crazy power I don't want big lift or anything besides as little money spent possible to use these vortecs on my engine. Ive done lots of research but not found the answer to "is it actually possible" without anything besides intake manifold and steamholes.

Averystingray75

Well to answer my own post I actually did it.
And it works great been going now for 3 years.

cv67

vid would be great

for a 400 the chevy bowtie vortecs could really step it up some very nice head.

Averystingray75

Video of what? The install procedure or it running?

Got a set of "906" off '97 k1500 at junkyard
Had them shaved and checked at local machine shop
New head gaskets, special intake manifold off e-bay

3-400 horsepower/torque all day long pulls like a big block I love it

techinspector1

Depending on piston crown configuration, gasket thickness and piston deck height, static compression ratio should be close to 11:1. How are you preventing detonation on pump gas using iron heads?

Averystingray75

#1 might have lucked out and have dish pistons probably stock

According to my research the “heart shaped” combustion chambers resist detonation then I run 93 octane.
I have adjusted my timing base from 0 up to +35* without ever having any detonation whatsoever