New Guy here!!!! Little advice please
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Horndean Hants
New Guy here!!!! Little advice please
Hi all
I'm new to here, from UK.
Brought my First Vette about 6 months ago :D
Been a dream of mine since i was about 5yrs old.
Untill about 6 weeks ago now, when the engine blow on me :banghead: (hence the name)!!!
After taking it apart, we found out that the engine was about dead anyway, so it didnt seem like such a big loss.
So now, i have been searching for a new engine, or atleast a 350 small block.
I have been offered 305's and 327's but being stubban i wanted a 350 back in there.
Could i find one................ NO :cry
Until.... i have now brought a 400 small block, that will be reconditioned and put in instead, im am told it doesnt rev as high but it has more touque than the 350. :confused:
Can anyone explain these differences and whether it was a good idea to get a 6.6litre 400cui small block for my 1978 vette.
cheers
Jason
[img]c:\personnal\bmp\corvette.jpg[/img] :cheers:
[Modified by Engine-Boy, 12:22 PM 11/11/2003]
I'm new to here, from UK.
Brought my First Vette about 6 months ago :D
Been a dream of mine since i was about 5yrs old.
Untill about 6 weeks ago now, when the engine blow on me :banghead: (hence the name)!!!
After taking it apart, we found out that the engine was about dead anyway, so it didnt seem like such a big loss.
So now, i have been searching for a new engine, or atleast a 350 small block.
I have been offered 305's and 327's but being stubban i wanted a 350 back in there.
Could i find one................ NO :cry
Until.... i have now brought a 400 small block, that will be reconditioned and put in instead, im am told it doesnt rev as high but it has more touque than the 350. :confused:
Can anyone explain these differences and whether it was a good idea to get a 6.6litre 400cui small block for my 1978 vette.
cheers
Jason
[img]c:\personnal\bmp\corvette.jpg[/img] :cheers:
[Modified by Engine-Boy, 12:22 PM 11/11/2003]
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: New Guy here!!!! Little advice please (Engine-Boy)
Welcome aboard.
I myself have never done a 400 so I dont have any direct expierence with them. I have heard of some cooling issues that you may want to consider when choosing a 400. You will need a 400 flywheel and balancer as the 400's are externally balanced. All the other accesories such as water pump, pulleys, manifolds, alt, ac, ps pump should bolt right on. You can easily get 1 hp per cubic inch with mild to moderate mods so a 400 would provide good power. Its hard to believe you cant find a 350. There should be more of those available than anything else. They are the most common of the chevy small blocks. Good luck.
I myself have never done a 400 so I dont have any direct expierence with them. I have heard of some cooling issues that you may want to consider when choosing a 400. You will need a 400 flywheel and balancer as the 400's are externally balanced. All the other accesories such as water pump, pulleys, manifolds, alt, ac, ps pump should bolt right on. You can easily get 1 hp per cubic inch with mild to moderate mods so a 400 would provide good power. Its hard to believe you cant find a 350. There should be more of those available than anything else. They are the most common of the chevy small blocks. Good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
Re: New Guy here!!!! Little advice please (Engine-Boy)
The 400ci engine will have higher torque numbers and a lower max rpm due to the added stroke introduced by the crankshaft. Stroking the 350ci engine by adding a 400ci crankshaft is very popular here in the States. The common result/combination produces the 383ci engine (350 bored .030 inches over with 400 crank). Stroking adds torque but also imposes some limitations on max rpm due to the stroke. Not a bad tradeoff since you get the power sooner (lower rpm). If you intend to go road-racing with this engine and achieve very high rpms, I'd recommend the 302 engine. It is popular for its ability to rev into the stratosphere (producing power at high rpms also).
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
Re: New Guy here!!!! Little advice please (Jvette73)
The 400 block has siamese cylinders and you have to use 400 heads, unless you drill corresponding steam holes in your existing 350 heads...once you lay the 400 gasket on the 350 head, you will see the two holes that have to be drilled..The 400 is not a very high reving motor, due to the rod stroke ratio.
What is wrong with your 350 block? Why not go .030 over? Or has the block been bored to the max?
What is wrong with your 350 block? Why not go .030 over? Or has the block been bored to the max?
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Horndean Hants
Re: New Guy here!!!! Little advice please (Engine-Boy)
Thanks for the welcome and advice.
You wouldnt believe the trouble ive had in getting a 350, they are all snapped up by HOT ROD boys!!!! :steering:
But hopefully this make my C3 even sweeter :hurray:
You wouldnt believe the trouble ive had in getting a 350, they are all snapped up by HOT ROD boys!!!! :steering:
But hopefully this make my C3 even sweeter :hurray:
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Horndean Hants
Re: New Guy here!!!! Little advice please (GDaina)
I'm getting the 400 block re-bored and having all new pistons etc, the heads on the 400 seem ok at present, but my old 350 was totalled!!!!
the only thing left worth keeping were the pump and carb! the block itself had a whacking great hole in it and the pistons and camshaft etc where melted and broken, an old doggy repair job didnt really help matters.
but ohwell, it sounds like the 400 is better engine, depending on your needs, mine is just a weekend car, and appricate the car type of thing, if i could drive it everwhere i would.
i have the corvette BUG!!!! :thumbs:
the only thing left worth keeping were the pump and carb! the block itself had a whacking great hole in it and the pistons and camshaft etc where melted and broken, an old doggy repair job didnt really help matters.
but ohwell, it sounds like the 400 is better engine, depending on your needs, mine is just a weekend car, and appricate the car type of thing, if i could drive it everwhere i would.
i have the corvette BUG!!!! :thumbs:
Instructor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Bellevue WA
Re: New Guy here!!!! Little advice please (Engine-Boy)
Welcome, mate. Looks like you are getting broken in to life with an old Vette very quickly. From your last post, I can see you've even met our old friend "Bubba".
You'll love the Vette, but I sure wouldn't want to pay your gas prices. Take care.
You'll love the Vette, but I sure wouldn't want to pay your gas prices. Take care.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: Eau Claire WI
Re: New Guy here!!!! Little advice please (Engine-Boy)
i ran a 400 years ago in a 71 camaro & 65 impala. loved it, the added torque tore up most on red light runs.
the only time i ran into heat problems was running 140 mph for extended periods. it was a little limited on rpms (didn't like to execeed 6k) but the speed that it got there made up for it.
from a former limey, now a yank
the only time i ran into heat problems was running 140 mph for extended periods. it was a little limited on rpms (didn't like to execeed 6k) but the speed that it got there made up for it.
from a former limey, now a yank
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,342
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Area Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08
Re: New Guy here!!!! Little advice please (Engine-Boy)
I can't help you with the engine problem but, Welcome to the forum and congrats on your first Vette purchase. Good luck with the search.
I think if mine blew I'd buy a 383 crate motor. :cheers:
I think if mine blew I'd buy a 383 crate motor. :cheers:
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Horndean Hants
Re: New Guy here!!!! Little advice please (Engine-Boy)
Well the r-build is underway.
and after being 7weeks without my vette, i cant wait to get behind the wheel again!!! although ill have to take it easy for a while, till i run the engine in!!! :steering:
Thanks to all for the replies. this has to be the best corvette forum.
and after being 7weeks without my vette, i cant wait to get behind the wheel again!!! although ill have to take it easy for a while, till i run the engine in!!! :steering:
Thanks to all for the replies. this has to be the best corvette forum.