Got my 400 today!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Hillsborough North Carolina
Got my 400 today!!
I finally broke down and got a 400engine today. It is a salvage yard engine. It appears to be unmolested. It is a 2 bolt main,"511" casting. I have already disassemled it and plan on taking it to the machine shop for hot tanking and checking the bores and crank. I am a little concerned about the crank. It appears to have a couple of "dings" on one of the rod journals. I am sure that it will have to be turned but, what is a safe amount to have on turned? I am not building a high dollar race engine or anything, just a mild street engine.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,597
Likes: 237
From: Bartlett Illinois
Re: (scorp508)
My guess would be around $150 to $200
I bought my 400 for $250.. which was from a friend who got it at a junkyard.. but he also had it cleaned and checked and I paid him the amount he had in it
I bought my 400 for $250.. which was from a friend who got it at a junkyard.. but he also had it cleaned and checked and I paid him the amount he had in it
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Hillsborough North Carolina
Re: Got my 400 today!! (piratemike)
Thanks for all the comments. As far as price goes...well...400's are becoming a rare item around here(north Carolina), bare blocks are going for $200-$250 and complete engines are in the $350-$400 range. These are junkyard engines with no work or cleaning having been done. Definitely not the prices you see in some of the car mags, where they say they picked up an engine in the junkyard for $100. But, I guess if you are gonna play....well you know the rest.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Hillsborough North Carolina
Re: Got my 400 today!! (piratemike)
I managed to get the engine disassembled and to the machine shop today. I had them "mic" it before going any further with cleaning, etc. It checked out fine. All the bores are standard and all the journals were on the low side of standard. It is now being hot tanked,checked for cracks and having cam bearings installed. Then it will have to sit in the garage for awhile , while I decide on exactly what parts to get.....oh well.
Later,
Mike
Later,
Mike
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 10,258
Likes: 1
From: Calif.
Re: Got my 400 today!! (TeenagerWith74Vette)
The Dude-
Are you saying that you have one for sale? I might be interested in it.
Jay
Are you saying that you have one for sale? I might be interested in it.
Jay
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
Re: Got my 400 today!! (The Dude)
Definately let me know. I'm trying to stockpile some parts for a 400. I don't have the money to build on right now, but I'm trying my hardest! It sux being 17 and paying for it all!! Anyway, keep me updated.
Jay
Jay
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 26
From: Clymer PA
Re: Got my 400 today!! (TeenagerWith74Vette)
400 small blocks are becoming harder and harder to find. I know around this area most of them get used in circle track cars.....which may last a couple of seasons at best.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 10,258
Likes: 1
From: Calif.
Re: Got my 400 today!! (TeenagerWith74Vette)
Definately let me know. I'm trying to stockpile some parts for a 400. I don't have the money to build on right now, but I'm trying my hardest! It sux being 17 and paying for it all!! Anyway, keep me updated.
Jay
Jay
Racer
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
Re: Got my 400 today!! (The Dude)
I assumed that it was a forged crank. That's what I really wanted. I'm in the planning stage of a 400 sbc with 6in rods and Forged Pistons. I really want to spin it to 7,000rpm. I don't know if that crank will be strong enough. I've been looking at the Scat 9000 cranks. They're only a little over $200, but you can't get any stroker cranks. Do you think your crank will be strong enough?
