Hey guys, I'm busy trying to hunt down a 400 engine for my '68 to replace the Chev 350 that one of the previous owners had installed (for reasons unknown to me).
How much difference is there between this engine and a late 60s vintage 400 other than the heads and bolt on accesories? Just curious more than anything. I am looking to rebuild fairly stock, certainly nothing over 400hp.
Of course if anyone on here has a nice 400 for sale I'm all ears! :-)
The thickness of the web casting is thicker on the earlier blocks. Any 50557(will have to check this number) casting is the thinner webbed casting. There may be others. I have seen this personally and can confirm. I have also read that there may be a difference in the iron alloy used. This I cannot confirm. That being said, you'd be fine with the later block on a standard hp rebuild. Butler advised that anything under 600hp is OK.
I'm a hobbyist. Not a professional. Don't be hatin'!
The only other thing that I can think of (newbie) is the newer block will have all of the engine mount holes for all of the different options that have been evaiable through out the years. The older blocks only have two holes.
Thanks guys...I would definately much rather find a period correct engine here, its just that pickings seem slim in my area! Maybe I will hold out a bit longer especially at this price.
Thanks nofun for the link, I'll call and see what he has available and what the shipping is like. Unfortunately the Canadian dollar has shifted and I'm now paying 20% more for a US dollar so I have to take that into consideration too!
If you want, I can get something together for you, period correct.
Or find something within a few hundred miles, that suits you, and I will crate, take to Canada (Windsor) and ship whatever freight company you want.
I worked at a machine shop for years and still do from time to time. All I deal with is Pontiacs and know what to look for, what heads you may need, and whatever else.
I can even disassemble, bake and magnaflux all the parts so you know what you are getting is sound and not wasting your money.
Si Vis Pacem Parabellum
1967 Starlight black PMD Engineering 400 Auto 1968 Alpine Blue 400 4 speed 1968 Verdoro Green 400 HO 4 speed 2013 1LE 2SS/RS Inferno Orange Camaro.