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i recently baught a 74 vette with a 400 small block in it from original owner , and numbers match up ??? i am confused understanding that there where no 400 sb in 74 vettes ? can anyboby shed some light on this please
thank you
I believe that there were plans to introduce a 1973 “LT-1” based on the 400 cubic inch block. I’m sure that someone with a 1973 A.I.M. can verify this as I believe it is actually listed there. Fact is that there were no performance versions of that engine available and it was probably easier to simply update the 350 to L-82 specs.
It is possible that the original owner took the original engine and had it bored and stroked to somewhere near or above 400 cubic inches.
He could have swapped engines and installed a 400 sbc and re-stamped the 400 block with the matching numbers for the original block.
Either is possible.
If you can, contact the original owner and simply ask.
Take some pictures of the engine and a closeup of the stamp pad.
There are several experts here who can immediately spot a re-stamped engine pad and who can possibly identify the engine just by a visual.
I believe that there were plans to introduce a 1973 “LT-1” based on the 400 cubic inch block. I’m sure that someone with a 1973 A.I.M. can verify this as I believe it is actually listed there. Fact is that there were no performance versions of that engine available and it was probably easier to simply update the 350 to L-82 specs.
That’s my theory anyway.
Regards,
Stan Falenski
I pulled out my 73 AIM and it only references the L48, L82 as 350’s and the LS4 as 454.
At least in the engine sections of chapter 6.
If it’s listed as a 400 someplace else I didn’t see it, but I just did a quick scan.
Maybe the 74 AIM shows something different.
I pulled out my 73 AIM and it only references the L48, L82 as 350’s and the LS4 as 454.
At least in the engine sections of chapter 6.
If it’s listed as a 400 someplace else I didn’t see it, but I just did a quick scan.
Maybe the 74 AIM shows something different.
Thanks for checking Greg.
I know that I’ve seen the reference and pretty sure it was in the A.I.M…. Of course, there are multiple versions of the A.I.M. out there so perhaps it’s in an a different version (or I could be completely mistaken, which works too).
Did a little bit of research. The 400 CID LT-1 was intended for 1973 at some point, but was eventually axed (most likely early) for production. There is a page in the options section of SOME A.I.M.s that I haven’t been able to locate, but this page at least mentions it… Right side toward the bottom - LT1 V8 ENGINE 400 CID
Having said all this, I believe that most of us are aware that the 400 cid engine was never used in any production Corvette, so the OP almost certainly does not have a matching numbers 400 in his 1974.
Apparently, I wasn’t imagining things…
Did a little bit of research. The 400 CID LT-1 was intended for 1973 at some point, but was eventually axed (most likely early) for production. There is a page in the options section of SOME A.I.M.s that I haven’t been able to locate, but this page at least mentions it… Right side toward the bottom - LT1 V8 ENGINE 400 CID
Having said all this, I believe that most of us are aware that the 400 cid engine was never used in any production Corvette, so the OP almost certainly does not have a matching numbers 400 in his 1974.
Regards,
Stan Falenski
Nice find Stan!
Now I’m going to have to pull mine back to see if this page is in my revision.
the NCRS corvette spec guide does not even mention a 400ci engine in 1973 or 74. it only lists the run of the usual LS4 454, L48 350 195 HP, AND THE 350 250HP
the NCRS corvette spec guide does not even mention a 400ci engine in 1973 or 74. it only lists the run of the usual LS4 454, L48 350 195 HP, AND THE 350 250HP
as it should. they only list what was used in production
1974 vette 400
never!
