400 swap what do i need

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400 swap what do i need

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400 swap what do i need - 7/2/2008 9:06:58 AM

brassknukl

Posts: 238
Joined: 7/29/2007
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k so im gonna go buy this 400sbc in the next few days ive already looked it over and im buying it for sure.
its already built up and has an edelbrock torquer intake manifold and a holley carb, new heads new cam and was rebuilt by some famous camaro guy. idk if hes local or what but the guy im buying the engine from looked at me if it it was a crime for not knowing his name.
used to be in this guys old firebird. but its like a ''73 or ''74 he says he thinks it came out of some kinda wagon originally?
he saide the engines already got steam ports instead of water jackets? since the 400 had cooling issues.

i know ill need an fuel pump, ignition, distributor, and a flywheel for a 400. as well as all the accesories for the front.
these are just because there arent any on the engine and i dont wanna use my shxtty old parts from the 305.
plus my friend is gonna buy the 305.

but what else do i need to start looking for? there has to be something else.
anyone got ideas?
the engines not going in anytime soon (probably winter) since wanna get it all painted, put together and running first.
if you come up with any ideas before then lemme know ill subscribe this thread.

thanks.

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RE: 400 swap what do i need - 7/2/2008 2:00:46 PM

Jr. Mechanic

Posts: 329
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You would want to use the flex plate from the 305, it is the correct size and the correct amount of teeth for your starter. Is there anything actually wrong with the accessories from the 305? If not, I would just use them. Other than that, I really cant see you needing anything else. Does your car have electric fans? If not, I would do that or get a flex fan, clutch fans eat up power. You may also want to get a racing radiator to help cool that 400.

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RE: 400 swap what do i need - 7/2/2008 2:55:35 PM

bigjim

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Jr. Mechanic

You would want to use the flex plate from the 305, it is the correct size and the correct amount of teeth for your starter. Is there anything actually wrong with the accessories from the 305? If not, I would just use them. Other than that, I really cant see you needing anything else. Does your car have electric fans? If not, I would do that or get a flex fan, clutch fans eat up power. You may also want to get a racing radiator to help cool that 400.

You will need a flex plate and balancer for a 400 sbc do not use the one off the 305 they are internally balanced like the 350. The 400 is externally balanced count the number of teeth on your 305 flex plate and measure your converter bolt spacing. or just order a 168 tooth flex plate with a dual bolt pattern. all of your accessories will bolt up to this motor.

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RE: 400 swap what do i need - 7/2/2008 4:28:24 PM

Camaro 69

Posts: 1127
Joined: 10/17/2007
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quote:

ORIGINAL: brassknukl
he saide the engines already got steam ports instead of water jackets? since the 400 had cooling issues.

What that means is: all Chevy small blocks have water jackets between the cylinders...EXCEPT for the 400. The 400 has siamesed cylinders (no jacket space between them) in order to be able to cram 4.125" bores into a small block. Instead, they have a couple of steam holes in-between the cylinders (above and below center). You need to make sure that the heads you use have been drilled through to match the steam holes on the block, or you''ll have an overheating problem.
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/148_0306_chevrolet_406_big_block_torque/index.html

Oh yeah, and what bigjim said about the flexplate and harmonic balancer. You need to use the ones that are made for the external balance 400 engine.

< Message edited by Camaro 69 -- 7/2/2008 4:43:48 PM >

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RE: 400 swap what do i need - 7/3/2008 12:26:42 PM

brassknukl

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engine already has the external balancer on it. so i still need a flex plate for a 400. got it.
thanks for the steam port clarification it already has the right heads. i just wasnt sure on how it worked.
as for the accesories the 305 ones are just, well old.
i dont wanna put this beast in my camaro and make it all pretty then have a nasty ass 125,000 mile alternator on it.
yes i have elec. fans. and ive been told ill need a bigger radiator. makes sense especially with this diffrent colling setup on the 400.

just waiting for my student loans to transfer to my bank (should be there already.)then im buying it. ill post pics.

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RE: 400 swap what do i need - 7/3/2008 12:35:55 PM

brassknukl

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http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=SUM%2DG101SFI&autoview=sku
how this one look?

what kind of radiator should i be looking for?

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RE: 400 swap what do i need - 7/7/2008 9:05:21 AM

brassknukl

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Joined: 7/29/2007
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the bank i chose backed out of the schools program the day before the loans were processed???
go fxcking figure.
now i guess i gotta wait for the new bank idk.
ill put it up when i get it

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