Will this block fit my needs?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 567
Likes: 0
From: Oswego Illinois
Will this block fit my needs?
I am planning on building a 406 and I am now in the process of looking for a block. I have come across one on ebay, the guy selling it says that three of the oil pan bolt have broken off. it is a 511 heres the link511 block on ebay All I am really trying to ask is, is this block in too bad of shape and will it handle 450hp 500tq.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,970
Likes: 20
From: San Marcos Texas
Oil pan bolts, no biggy. Any machine shop or mechanic with half a brain can fix that. The problem is you have no idea the block is good. You could buy it and then get it to the machine shop and they can find a crack that you cant see. But that is the case with all used blocks. Try a couple of machine shops in your area and ask them about a used 400 block. They may have some leads for you. Or throw caution to the wind and go for it.
Last edited by chriswtx; Oct 26, 2004 at 09:20 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 2
From: Castro Valley Calif.
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Vetteguy, I agree with Chris in trying some shops in your area, as all blocks are a crapshoot as to their reputed condition. You won't know for sure about core shift either, since you won't have a chance to sonic check it before you buy it and that's an important consideration on a siamesed bore going out .030 over.
I see you're in the same state, is the seller close enough in proximity to allow you to talk to the shop that allegedly did the mag and cleaning to confirm it actually did get magged? I suppose you could always have a look at the cam bosses for evidence of core shift, but that just helps as an "educated guess"........a 400 sbc should always be sonic checked before you spend any money on it.
And yes, to answer your question, it should hold that kind of power on a street car, but..............do you feel lucky? A 400 dollar bill for splayed mains is cheap insurance for a multi thousand dollar investment in a motor. After all, I bet you're not going 406 just to run the kids back and forth to school
I see you're in the same state, is the seller close enough in proximity to allow you to talk to the shop that allegedly did the mag and cleaning to confirm it actually did get magged? I suppose you could always have a look at the cam bosses for evidence of core shift, but that just helps as an "educated guess"........a 400 sbc should always be sonic checked before you spend any money on it.
And yes, to answer your question, it should hold that kind of power on a street car, but..............do you feel lucky? A 400 dollar bill for splayed mains is cheap insurance for a multi thousand dollar investment in a motor. After all, I bet you're not going 406 just to run the kids back and forth to school
