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Edit: Help me BUILD a 400 - 9/7 engine is back home.

Which engine

  • Pre 86 Block with 2 piece rear main

    Votes: 6 17.1%

  • Post 86 Block with 1 pc seal and Vortec heads

    Votes: 23 65.7%

  • Keep the smoking 350 in it, use the money to go somewhere fancy with your wife and maybe get nekkid

    Votes: 6 17.1%
  • Total voters
    35
400, JE Pistons Part#: 206043 a 350 crank 6.00" rods ,Vortec Heads, LT4 Hot cam, Edelbrock Peformer RPM intake,Jet Stage 2 q-jet,MSD Distributor and 6AL box, 2.5" exhaust.

Thats the combo I have in my Stepside has tons off torque and the mileage is really good,
 
chalet2506 said:
So, still kicking this around. Stopped by Wayne Calvert Precision (linky) this morning to see what they might charge me to rebuild my 350. Have been driving past that place for years and didn't realize who he was until I looked it up on the web.

Wayne was manning the counter when I walked in. Introduced myself and he was kind enough to take a few minutes and discuss some general options. He gave me a rough estimate of $2000 to rebuild my 350. He also agreed the later Vortec would be a good engine to go with.

Thinking now maybe I'll just buy vortec heads and intake, use my 350 block, and have him reman lower end and put it together. Best of both worlds maybe? Stock flexplate, fuel pump and mounts. Guess I would need to work out roller cam for my 350 and if its worth the extra dough.

I know, six of one or half dozen of another. But, I wouldn't mind paying a little more to have local shop with great rep build it. GM doesn't warranty their engines if its now used in the correct application. So, later model longblock in my 72 will have no warranty. Not sure if I want to risk that the way things are built these days.
Click to expand...

i was gonna say this option. have your block rebuilt and instead of having the heads reworked, just pick up a set of the vortec heads. supposed to be good to about 40hp over standard heads and usually pretty cheap adn easy.
 
Yea, well this was some bits of the conversation.

Me. " I'm going to lift this thing a couple of inches and add a little bit bigger tires. Don't drive over 60 and only do a little offroading. Looking for better than stock low end torque and a really good midrange power. Also, best mileage I can out of it. "insert his few minutes of comments on $4/gal gas" Let's upgrade the heads with maybe some vortecs and intake, maybe a little bit of a cam."

Wayne "sounds good, we'll open it up and let you know"

Me "I don't want to overbore this anymore than I have to"

Wane "Good, cause I don't like to bore them anymore than they need"

Me "I've been reading up on this, think I can bring in my own parts once you know the block is good"


Wayne "We use our own parts. #1 I make a little money there, but also warranty the parts and work. #2 Usually people that try that don't know what they are doing. I've been doing this for 50 years, tell me what you want and I'll decide the best way to do it" Will call you in about a week.

Me - Sounds good.


My wife says I'm a control freak. I can see why as that last part bugged me a bit for a little while after I left. But cruising to work I thought "**** it". He knows what he's doing, I don't know **** about engines. Let the man work and it should come out alright.
 
well having a local shop with a documented warrenty will be a big plus. especially if your doing an engine for reliability. anything goes wrong its on them.
 
Nope. But at Southern Junction in Rockwall Texas you cook your own steak. I love that place.

I'm totally alright paying extra and letting him make decisions. #1, I've been running my own business for about 10 years and I hate it when customers pick apart my pricing, operation, or nickel and dime me. I try not to do it to other people.

#2, I want it done right and the way I fix things I'd be prob end up adjusting the valves with a 4# sledge and big screwdriver or something else just as stupid.
 
chalet2506 said:
Nope. But at Southern Junction in Rockwall Texas you cook your own steak. I love that place.

I'm totally alright paying extra and letting him make decisions. #1, I've been running my own business for about 10 years and I hate it when customers pick apart my pricing, operation, or nickel and dime me. I try not to do it to other people.

#2, I want it done right and the way I fix things I'd be prob end up adjusting the valves with a 4# sledge and big screwdriver or something else just as stupid.
Click to expand...
sounds like my last engine rebuild. :doah:
 
Don't want to say much about this as it's going to be a relatively mild engine. But finalized specs today and gave him a deposit. New vortec heads, new cam, edlebrock performer intake, stock pistons and a few other small doodads. Haven't talked hp #'s, but he smiled today and said "it ought to run really good, and that cam and heads will give it a nice shot in the arm"...... Goood enough for me I said.


I sure am enjoying the heck out of stopping by the shop and visiting with that old guy once a week.
 
Mmmm 400:thumb:
Yours sounds like its going to be way Kick***. Mines pretty much stock just bored to a 408, but stock rods and pistons, just all new everything else and roller rockers. I wish I had the money to a roller cam setup, oh well.


DSCF9725.jpg
 
After running this engine in my 76 stock, I don't think they need a whole lot of kick. Yours is looking good.
 
Picked it up today. Tried to scan in and upload dyno sheets, but the files are too big.

Vortec heads, looks like .020 over bore, sealed power 400ap pistons, speed pro cam part# cs-1013R.

P1010002-2.jpg


P1010007-1.jpg


Yes, the Fram filter is going away. He said to change the oil after about 500 miles.

P1010005-2.jpg


P1010004-3.jpg
 
I'm trying dude, this stupid thing called work keeps getting in the way.
 
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