Why the small block Chevy 400 is different

Here i explain the differences between the SBC 400 and its other family members.

[markwallace]

I always drill the steam holes on heads going on a 400 I know a lot of people that don’t but I say they are there for a reason and easy to do

[CamaroSS]

Ahem....ummm, .040 over, 11:1, Holley 780 dbl pumper, Comp cam 292 .480 lift, Muncie M22 Rock Crusher(close ratio), 12 bolt 3.73 posi in my 69 Camaro SS....hurtin feelings since 1987 and still pullin teeth!! 😉💪🏎💨💥

[JohnSmith-kgim]

I had one of these 400 SB’s in my 1972 Impala. Nothing could “inadvertently” light up those back tires leaving a stop light like that 400!

[formerfarmer]

My 400 SBC performed pretty damn good. 1977 K20 locked in 4WD Detroit Locker pulling a 16’ gooseneck with 400 bushels (22, 400#) of corn out of soft fields. All. Day.

[n.a.s.garage]

I love the way a 400 sounds. I got one in my 73 monte.

[joshuagarvey]

Great motor for sure.Torque is amazing like A big block.So many people say steam holes steam holes.I have ran A few 400 sbc and never did steam holes and no overheating problems.Nice water pump and good 4 core radiator and fan, no issues.These motors do not take much to get them to run strong.I would never choose any other sbc.The power and weight, you just can’t compare.

[chevyfarmersgarage]

you forgot to mention the 400 is externally balanced. its the only sbc that is. takes a 400 specific balancer and flexpate. my favorite sbc. i have built many of them over the years.

[mschiffel]

A 400 with the right bolt on parts is an amazing torque monster. They were designed for heavy vehicles.

[harryharris]

G'day bloke. I've got a 400sbc block on the engine stand at the moment. With the right piston and rod bearing alterations I'm running a 6inch rod and stroked it out by 2 dozen cubes.

[clintarmstrong]

I’ve had several gm pickups over the years with the 4.3 v6, 454 BB. 6.5l turbo diesel. The single best, smoothest running engine was a 509 cast 400 SB like this. The rest of the 57 Chevy truck it was is was a parts beater, but the engine was perfect.

[victorvondoom]

This engine 400 SBC was slated to Know as LT2 in 1971 before gas / insurance crisis halted continued development. A 4 bolt main design was first step in engine design and the power of a 400 SBC was never known unless a wise performance team build. We at SBR -Still Building Rockets and Wells Engineering were building this LT2 engine back in early 1990's and having great success long before the 383 came out. HP was at 375+ and when we introduced Nascar heads.. this combination was over 450HP.

[donk]

Thanks for the info. I had one of these engines in my old Caprice. 245K miles on it, no work ever done, except for timing chain and water pump. Wish I still had that car today...

[countrygrandpa]

One important point is that small block 400s are externally balanced at the flywheel and harmonic balancer. Think that's worth mentioning

[fleetwin]

I had a 400 in my 73 caprice coupe...240, 000 miles and still ran fine, although I'm sure it was well worn out. Doesn't look mike much "metal" left between those cylinders, glad I never overheated it....

[dougstevenson]

Run a eight inch stroked scat crank, 6 inch eagle rods, 40 over bore. Internally balance with Mallory. Forget the bolt on factory balance stuff and it won't break.you'll come up with around 430 ci. We Ran these for years in late models and super lates and won a lot, including track championships.

[lilibethdoherty]

The 350 was always easier to build but the 400 feels like it makes gobs more torque of the line!

[Tinman]

So almost ready to post the build? That would be awesome 😎 it's hard to find a good 400 build to watch thees days

[rmanor]

Depending on what year 400 you get, 1 has flat top pistons, other dished

[sendit]

if you know what your doing the 400 done right is by far the meanest small block you can stroke them out to get insane hp and torque just do your research or find some one who knows how to get that power from that engine

[wduvernay]

Actually, Chevy DID plan for the 400 to be a high performance engine. They were trying to develop one for the 70's camaro, and it got cancelled.