400ci engine gurus!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
400ci engine gurus!
Recently acquired this ’69 which now has a 400ci and haven’t a clue as to what I’ve got. Seems to run pretty strong, but haven't fully 'tested' it. I know I don’t have much info to offer, but here’s all I know. Let me know what you think and if this is a decent combination of ‘stuff’ or otherwise. Tnx!
400ci. From who knows what. Maybe Pontiac. Has the 3 freeze plugs.
Crane Energizer cam. Part# 100072, grind 284 H12.
1.5 rockers
TRW pistons. Part# 400NP 30
Torker II intake
Holley 750 (don’t know which model, but has no choke)
Accel dual point dist., MSD 8mm wires, MSD Blaster 2 coil
Autolite 26 plugs (is this the right plug and what should the gap be?)
:flag
400ci. From who knows what. Maybe Pontiac. Has the 3 freeze plugs.
Crane Energizer cam. Part# 100072, grind 284 H12.
1.5 rockers
TRW pistons. Part# 400NP 30
Torker II intake
Holley 750 (don’t know which model, but has no choke)
Accel dual point dist., MSD 8mm wires, MSD Blaster 2 coil
Autolite 26 plugs (is this the right plug and what should the gap be?)
:flag
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
Re: 400ci engine gurus! (Chris81)
Nice!
What kinda Heads are on it? The Origional heads are pretty weak, small valves and stuff..
I doubt that it's a pontiac tho but that would be cool :smash:
Some chevy 400's had two freeze plugs some had 2..
Spark plug gap? good question...
OBTW, Beautifull car!
What kinda Heads are on it? The Origional heads are pretty weak, small valves and stuff..
I doubt that it's a pontiac tho but that would be cool :smash:
Some chevy 400's had two freeze plugs some had 2..
Spark plug gap? good question...
OBTW, Beautifull car!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
Re: 400ci engine gurus! (427V8)
Don't know about the heads, except they're iron.
The block number is 3951511 if that helps anything.
It's definitely a small block. I was told some Chevy's, like the El Camino had 400's, but they were 350 blocks and would have had just 2 freeze plugs.
I'll check the plugs specs for the '70 Chevy. The were gapped at .030, which seemed odd to me unless they weren't getting enough juice. I've replaced the coil and wires which were is sad shape.
The block number is 3951511 if that helps anything.
It's definitely a small block. I was told some Chevy's, like the El Camino had 400's, but they were 350 blocks and would have had just 2 freeze plugs.
I'll check the plugs specs for the '70 Chevy. The were gapped at .030, which seemed odd to me unless they weren't getting enough juice. I've replaced the coil and wires which were is sad shape.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,842
Likes: 99
From: Orrtanna Pa.
Re: 400ci engine gurus! (Chris81)
If the valve covers have 4 bolts I'm sure it's a Chevy SB,the Poncho 400 block is huge,looks like a BB.As for gap,most of the older points type ignitions ran .035-.040 gaps due to the low voltage coils. If the distributer is HEI gaps could run to .060.
I just saw the 511 block post. Mines a 511 too,which is a 400 4 bolt main block.
[Modified by The Money Pit, 12:00 PM 8/17/2003]
I just saw the 511 block post. Mines a 511 too,which is a 400 4 bolt main block.
[Modified by The Money Pit, 12:00 PM 8/17/2003]
Racer
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh NC
Re: 400ci engine gurus! (Chris81)
The 3951511 casting # was used twice
400 CID from 1970-73 Passenger, Chevelle, Monte Carlo 4 bolt main, 3 freeze plugs per side
400 CID from 75-80 Truck 4 bolt main, 3 freeze plugs per side
So you have an early 70's car motor or a late 70's truck motor. Either way, I do not think it matters.
Did you get the # of the heads when you had the valve covers off.
I got the above from the Catalog of Chevy V8 Engine Casting Numbers 1955-1993, It has numbers for every type of part in there.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
Re: 400ci engine gurus! (hudman)
Sounds like we're getting somewhere! :steering:
I'll pull a valve cover off after it cools off a bit to check the number (just went for a short cruise to check out the new MSD wires and coil and gap set at .035). I can say that little combo improved things! I'll also take some engine pics today and post a link. Should I try .045 to see what happens? This car is so easy to get to things compared to the 'former' '81!!
I'll also try to get a number off the Holley to get some opinions on that. No telling what might have been done to it though.
I'll pull a valve cover off after it cools off a bit to check the number (just went for a short cruise to check out the new MSD wires and coil and gap set at .035). I can say that little combo improved things! I'll also take some engine pics today and post a link. Should I try .045 to see what happens? This car is so easy to get to things compared to the 'former' '81!!
I'll also try to get a number off the Holley to get some opinions on that. No telling what might have been done to it though.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
Re: 400ci engine gurus! (Chris81)
Here's a link to a few pics...
http://www.c3vettes.com/69_engine_pics.html
http://www.c3vettes.com/69_engine_pics.html
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: 400ci engine gurus! (Chris81)
First thing to do is get some headers to let those 400 ci breath! What are the specs ont he cam? I bet you got 30 to 50 hp (and a bunch of torq) just waiting/wanting to be unleashed. It does look nice and clean. :thumbs:
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,118
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Re: 400ci engine gurus! (Fevre)
The headers will eventually be there. I'm going to have to go with shorties to hook up to the factory sidepipes, so don't know how much I'll gain.
Hudman... here's what's stamped on the heads. 3951588. Just below that is K26 and about 2 inches over is a 9. The center of the heads are stamped with a GM13, and one area is stamped with ONV 4.
Here's more info...
Carb - Holley 3310-3, dual feed, vacuum secondaries
Accel Dist - 37100A
Hudman... here's what's stamped on the heads. 3951588. Just below that is K26 and about 2 inches over is a 9. The center of the heads are stamped with a GM13, and one area is stamped with ONV 4.
Here's more info...
Carb - Holley 3310-3, dual feed, vacuum secondaries
Accel Dist - 37100A
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,845
Likes: 2
From: Apex NC
Re: 400ci engine gurus! (Chris81)
Chris, I checked http://www.mortec.com and the only number similar to your heads was:
3951598....70......400..........76cc chambers
Could that be the number? Looks like 1970 heads if this is your number.
Shannon
3951598....70......400..........76cc chambers
Could that be the number? Looks like 1970 heads if this is your number.
Shannon
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
Re: 400ci engine gurus! (sb69coupe)
Chris, I checked http://www.mortec.com and the only number similar to your heads was:
3951598....70......400..........76cc chambers
Could that be the number? Looks like 1970 heads if this is your number.
Shannon
3951598....70......400..........76cc chambers
Could that be the number? Looks like 1970 heads if this is your number.
Shannon
I tried to search the number on the pistons, but only found that they are made by TRW.
Is this Forum great or what!
