383 vs 396 rotating assembly
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,338
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From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
This is the approach I went with. Buy the expensive parts that can be reused in a bigger build. Things like AFR heads, Holley carb, roller lifters. Those items alone cost me about Cdn$3000 but were not all bought at the same time. So you don't want to be buying these all over in a larger size again if it can be avoided. A 750 Holley is fine for a 350-400+ sbc. My AFR heads are also good for 350-400+. My next phase is to stroke to a 383. I'd love to go to a 434 sbc but would mean starting all over again from scratch. Not at my age and I don't need 650+ HP.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 963
Likes: 57
From: Vancouver, BC
This is the approach I went with. Buy the expensive parts that can be reused in a bigger build. Things like AFR heads, Holley carb, roller lifters. Those items alone cost me about Cdn$3000 but were not all bought at the same time. So you don't want to be buying these all over in a larger size again if it can be avoided. A 750 Holley is fine for a 350-400+ sbc. My AFR heads are also good for 350-400+. My next phase is to stroke to a 383. I'd love to go to a 434 sbc but would mean starting all over again from scratch. Not at my age and I don't need 650+ HP.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
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From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
350 - 400 parts' similarities
OP
a crank that fits a 350 block's smaller main saddles also fits 400 block's larger main saddles; If spacers or spacer-bearings are used in the 400. But Not vv.
any rod that fits a 350 block will fit a 400 block.
350-based pistons and 400-based pistons are Not interchangeable; two different bore diameters.
Heads from a 350-based motor can be used on a 400-based motor, although steam holes should be drilled ... IK200 will interchange.
Both 350 & 400-based cam & lifters* are interchangeable, 'though a grind for a smaller displacement motor will be somewhat "tamer" in a bigger motor & vv.
* Exception: OE GM roller lifters from '87-up will Not fit an OE GM 400 block Nor other GM blocks with 2-pc rear main seal.
Suggest you refrain from waffling. Formalize a credible plan; then execute.
Ya know, in this matter, I'm liking cardo0's advice.
a crank that fits a 350 block's smaller main saddles also fits 400 block's larger main saddles; If spacers or spacer-bearings are used in the 400. But Not vv.
any rod that fits a 350 block will fit a 400 block.
350-based pistons and 400-based pistons are Not interchangeable; two different bore diameters.
Heads from a 350-based motor can be used on a 400-based motor, although steam holes should be drilled ... IK200 will interchange.
Both 350 & 400-based cam & lifters* are interchangeable, 'though a grind for a smaller displacement motor will be somewhat "tamer" in a bigger motor & vv.
* Exception: OE GM roller lifters from '87-up will Not fit an OE GM 400 block Nor other GM blocks with 2-pc rear main seal.
Suggest you refrain from waffling. Formalize a credible plan; then execute.
Ya know, in this matter, I'm liking cardo0's advice.
