Need a 400 block
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: High Point NC
Help!!!need some info
been looking for a 400 block & prices , interested in building a 406 ci..Are there any balanced kits with blocks that you can buy and assemble or is it one of those deals that you have to buy a crank here, rods there and so forth, not looking to build a top fuel rail or nothing, just something a little differnt in the publics eye
[Modified by Jays84Z51, 7:32 PM 9/3/2001]
[Modified by Jays84Z51, 7:32 PM 9/3/2001]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 1
From: NewCastle IN. USA
Re: Help!!!need some info (Jays84Z51)
check speed-o-motive,
lunati,
some of the ad's in chevy high preformance?
local scrap yard?
If all else fails, I think GM performance still makes it in a bow tie block. its expensive, but could be a better casting.
good luck
RJ
lunati,
some of the ad's in chevy high preformance?
local scrap yard?
If all else fails, I think GM performance still makes it in a bow tie block. its expensive, but could be a better casting.
good luck
RJ
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 45,085
Likes: 1
From: I was a young troubadour when I rode in on a song, and I'll be an old troubadour when I'm gone.
St. Jude Donor '08
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 0
From: Marietta, South Carolina, USA
Re: Help!!!need some info (Jays84Z51)
I dont know how much you want to spend, if you want a new block then you can find them in Jegs and Summit, they are from Dart and are called Little M and World Products makes a block called Motown that is good too they are from $1800 and up I think.
But if you want a used 400 block then it is best to find a engine that is in a car and is running because lot of the old block are cracked and sometimes you dont see it until after doing all the work to it and then you are out of all that money, so you dont want to pay a lot for a old 400 block until you know it is good.
You can get kits from 406ci to 434ci but I dont think that the TPI can feed that big of a motor.
When you go to a big motor like that you have to make sure you use the flexplate and balancer from a 400ci because it is a exturnaly balanced engine and the 350 is not, to use your old stuff you have to have the engine blanced inturnaly.
The 400ci+ motors run hotter then the 350ci+ motors.
Good luck with your engine.
Jay
But if you want a used 400 block then it is best to find a engine that is in a car and is running because lot of the old block are cracked and sometimes you dont see it until after doing all the work to it and then you are out of all that money, so you dont want to pay a lot for a old 400 block until you know it is good.
You can get kits from 406ci to 434ci but I dont think that the TPI can feed that big of a motor.
When you go to a big motor like that you have to make sure you use the flexplate and balancer from a 400ci because it is a exturnaly balanced engine and the 350 is not, to use your old stuff you have to have the engine blanced inturnaly.
The 400ci+ motors run hotter then the 350ci+ motors.
Good luck with your engine.
Jay
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,870
Likes: 25
From: Long Island, NY
Re: Help!!!need some info (MrJay)
I agree with MrJay, for a brand new block you can get a Bowtie block, a Dart block, or a Motown block. All are around $1800 + some machine work. These blocks are better than a Chevy production 400 block.
I priced out a Bowtie block for a 406 project and with the rotating assembly/oil pan/Cam/lifters/labor , it came to $5000. This was for just the short block, no heads, no intake.
Vic
Vic
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 110
From: Austin Texas
Re: Help!!!need some info (Jays84Z51)
Jay,
I've got to agree with the consensus. A new block is the best way to go here.
The newer castings are much stronger, and can reliably be punched out to 427+ cubes (actually, my machinist told me we could punch my Bowtie out to 440 cu/in). They incorporate many trick enhancements (like a raised cam to clear the swing of the crank) and can be worked easily by any competent machinist. The raised cam allows you to use a larger base-circle cam (just like a stock cam), which is stronger than what will be needed for a 400 cu/in block.
You can also get the new blocks with standard 350 bearings...not the 400 bearing sizes. It makes it a lot easier for buying the cranks.
You get what you pay for. I wouldn't want to spend that kind of money to build a block to have it fail soon after completion. It is a very real risk you take with buying a used 400 block. They are known for their failures.
I've got to agree with the consensus. A new block is the best way to go here.
The newer castings are much stronger, and can reliably be punched out to 427+ cubes (actually, my machinist told me we could punch my Bowtie out to 440 cu/in). They incorporate many trick enhancements (like a raised cam to clear the swing of the crank) and can be worked easily by any competent machinist. The raised cam allows you to use a larger base-circle cam (just like a stock cam), which is stronger than what will be needed for a 400 cu/in block.
You can also get the new blocks with standard 350 bearings...not the 400 bearing sizes. It makes it a lot easier for buying the cranks.
You get what you pay for. I wouldn't want to spend that kind of money to build a block to have it fail soon after completion. It is a very real risk you take with buying a used 400 block. They are known for their failures.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Re: Help!!!need some info (Jays84Z51)
i agree with the new block deal but you should know that a stock 400 block can be modified to work very well. i run a dirt late model with a stock block (680 hp) freshen it every season and it works good. billit main caps, plug the deck and good machine work. you can buy a block ready to go from Performance chevy in Phoenix, he ships nationwide and it'll set you back around $800.00. don't quote me on price though. i know the guys there and if you need any help with the project let me know. i'll call and ask the questions if you want.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 0
From: Marietta, South Carolina, USA
Re: Help!!!need some info (Jays84Z51)
I did not say that the stock 400 block are no good, Copper I was just saying that it is hard to find a good one unless you get it from a place that has all ready did all the work to them and found out that they are ok because offen when you get a used one you will find out after you get all the machine work done that they are no good because off a crack and then you have lost all the money you just spent on that block, but when you get a good one then they are just as good as the others, we have build a few that have been 434ci and they went 5.90's in the 1/8 with a little help from NOS about 200 shot but they could have gone any time.
Again I was not saying that the stock block was bad and if you think about it that block is over 30 year old so anything can happen to it if you start to race it.
Jay
Again I was not saying that the stock block was bad and if you think about it that block is over 30 year old so anything can happen to it if you start to race it.
Jay
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 1
From: NewCastle IN. USA
Re: Help!!!need some info (Jays84Z51)
some things I would like to add:
If you do go the used block route, get it tested for cracks before doing any machine work.
also, don't go over a .030" oversize bore job (not without checking the wall thickness first)
If you do go the used block route, get it tested for cracks before doing any machine work.
also, don't go over a .030" oversize bore job (not without checking the wall thickness first)
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,316
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Re: Help!!!need some info (miker61588)
There was a guy who specialized in getting 400 blocks, 400Gary. I think I have his phone number at home, I will look when I get there. Summitt has the motown blocks and bill mitchell kits for the internals $4000-$4500 for a short block, $4500 assembled, but all good pieces
