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03-13-2008, 01:18 AM
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#1 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Maryville, MO
Posts: 49
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350 or 400?
 I am currently in the middle of tearing down my 1970 C20 to transfer the body/engine to a 71 3/4T 4x4 chassis. My plan was to just pull the original 59K mile 350, clean it up and give it the old puff can Chevy orange paint job and put it in the new frame since it is running fine. However I have an opportunity to get a hold of a good running 400 small block. A neighbor of mine just pulled it out of his 1971 Cheyenne as he replaced it with a fuel injected late model 350 he just had rebuilt. He is a GM mechanic who found this low mileage 1972 400 about 10 years ago. At that time he opened it up and replaced the bearings, re-ringed it put in a mild cam. He believes there to be about 60-70K on the rebuild and says it was running fine when he pulled it this winter. He thought he might have added a quart every 1K miles or so but nothing excessive. He is a stickler for maintenence and I don't believe it was ever abused really. I know it sounded really good when it was still in the truck but I never rode or drove it to compare to my current 350.My question out there to you guys is what would you do? Keep the original, numbers matching, never gone through as far as I know 350 that I know runs fine and doesn't use much oil OR drop in the similar mileage rebuilt 400? I have a guy who will buy mine for $250 and I can get this one for $300 so it's really a wash. I know the only thing I would have to do is get a flywheel for around $65 as the 400 I guess is externally balanced where as a 350 is internally balanced. Check me on that one - just what I hear. Is a 400 going to be any more impressive than a 350? Are rebuild kits that much higher for a 400 when it does come time to rebuild? Thanks guys,
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1970 C20 350 4-Speed no options but only 56K original miles.....Now a K20 mutt with a SB400! 2002 Impala LS (wife's car) |
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03-13-2008, 01:22 AM
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#2 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Athens, GA
Posts: 112
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Re: 350 or 400?
The 400 is a strong motor; that would get my vote.
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1968 C10 Stepside 396 bored .030 TH400 |
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03-13-2008, 01:25 AM
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#3 |
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Recovering 67-72 Addict
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: North Bend, WA
Posts: 1,788
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Re: 350 or 400?
400 gets my vote!
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68 Short Fleet 4x4; 427; BTO Level 3 700R4; NP205; Dana 60 front and rear; 4" lift with 35's; Disc brakes; AGR variable ratio steering; factory bucket seats; factory tach and tilt. "Friends call me cruzer cuz I like fast cars and fast women" |
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03-13-2008, 01:43 AM
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#4 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: VANCOUVER ISLAND, B.C., Canada
Posts: 1,602
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Re: 350 or 400?
400 would be my choice. I have a 400 in my 50.'
esll. 
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Tomorrow is for doing today's stuff.  ************************************* This truck has just the right amount of energy for me! Author: Warren Lake .... (member) |
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03-13-2008, 02:16 AM
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#5 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: waco tx
Posts: 584
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Re: 350 or 400?
I put a 400 in my son's 72 about 3 years ago.Still running strong no problems at all.
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77 swb starting all over again. |
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03-13-2008, 02:23 AM
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#6 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: here
Posts: 5,789
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Re: 350 or 400?
easy.....400
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03-13-2008, 02:36 AM
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#7 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Grundy Virginia
Posts: 385
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Re: 350 or 400?
just to be different I'll say the 350...but the 400 is one tough cookie
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"OLE BLUE" Goodwrench 350, 5speed, Tilt, PS, PB, "some guys got into cars for money or girls but i got into cars because of the cars" -Jay Leno |
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03-13-2008, 03:49 AM
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#8 |
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Project: years too late.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Almonte,ON,Canada
Posts: 550
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Re: 350 or 400?
three fiddy! (350)
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1971 C10 Stepper LSX 5.3/4L60E 3.73 12bolt posi. Father Son Project. In Memory of Bruce C. Shorten. Rest easy Dad. Ill take it fryom here. |
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03-13-2008, 04:28 AM
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#9 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Clinton Twp. MI
Posts: 66
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Re: 350 or 400?
I was in the exact same position and i chose the 400 - much stronger motor and more rare. Yes the 400 is externally balanced so you would need to get a new flywheel but technically you need to have it balanced to your rotating assembly.
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67' C-10 Project Truck Clinton Township MI My Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=287690 |
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03-13-2008, 04:44 AM
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#10 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Muskegon,MI,USA
Posts: 6,026
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Re: 350 or 400?
I really like the 400 engines but the rebuild kits for them are more pricey.
Jim
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1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC |
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03-13-2008, 05:01 AM
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#11 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Grand Forks ND
Posts: 434
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Re: 350 or 400?
I would say it depends on what you plan on doing with the truck, pulling trailers, mudding how hard will you work it. If you are going to cruise with light wheeling the 350 will work great even with a medium sized trailer otherwise there is no replacement for displacement. I am going to put a 283 in my 67 1/2 ton and it should work fine for what I want to do with it.
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"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy" Ben Franklin  67 Chevy 1/2 lwb, 67 GMC 1/2 lwb (parts) Last edited by bhoeger70; 03-13-2008 at 05:03 AM. |
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03-13-2008, 05:02 AM
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#12 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Salina, Kansas
Posts: 1,998
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Re: 350 or 400?
i think the 400 would sound better with a really good exhaust sytem since its bigger
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1972 C-10...402/400..flowmaster 40 series 1967 Mustang 347 stroker/C-4 1966 Mustang 289/3-speed 2013 Mustang V6/6speed w/300 ponies I may be 23, but i sure do knows 67-72s are sexy! Its not MPG its smiles per gallon! build started 11/25/08 build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=2993796 |
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03-13-2008, 05:04 AM
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#13 |
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1967newheartbeat
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: rentz , georgia
Posts: 96
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Re: 350 or 400?
a friend of mine has the 400 in his 72 and it is a beast. i'd definately go with the 400.they are hard to find where i'm from
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03-13-2008, 05:16 AM
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#14 |
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Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: New Madison, Ohio
Posts: 21,373
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Re: 350 or 400?
My question out there to you guys is what would you do? Keep the original, numbers matching...
Once you change the chassis and other pieces...the number matching really won't mean a thing. I would go with the 400. You just can't beat the sound of a healthy 400BB. JMHO
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A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy.  67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk.  1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc   JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder! Last edited by 70cst; 03-13-2008 at 05:17 AM. |
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03-13-2008, 06:27 AM
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#15 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CA
Posts: 2,057
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Re: 350 or 400?
Quote:
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03-16-2008, 11:35 AM
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#16 | |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: VANCOUVER ISLAND, B.C., Canada
Posts: 1,602
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Re: 350 or 400?
Quote:
Always keep a #'s truck original. [jmho] esll.
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Tomorrow is for doing today's stuff. ************************************* This truck has just the right amount of energy for me! Author: Warren Lake .... (member) |
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03-16-2008, 05:43 PM
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#17 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: New Madison, Ohio
Posts: 21,373
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Re: 350 or 400?
Meeee Bad!!
 I missed the small 400 part? My 350 in my 70 Chevelle was rock solid as it was my very first car and I hate to say but I did abuse it with poor PM...with that being said it was still solid when I sold it with 80,000 miles. Maybe thats why I have a 70cst 402BB....I am reliving my childhood.  Besides I can not afford a muscle car at today's prices. Good luck with your decision.
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A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder! |
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03-13-2008, 05:28 AM
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#18 |
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: northwestern wi
Posts: 2,111
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Re: 350 or 400?
personaly i like the torque of a 400 but if you wanna wind it up tight[above 6000 rpms] your better off with the 350
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common sense isn't so common anymore |
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03-13-2008, 05:47 AM
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#19 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: here
Posts: 5,789
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Re: 350 or 400?
Quote:
Last edited by corn; 03-13-2008 at 05:48 AM. |
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03-13-2008, 05:37 AM
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#20 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Stratford,SD
Posts: 296
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Re: 350 or 400?
bigger is always better (400)
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1967 c-10 longbox project, check it out in projects 1969 c-10 parts pickup, twisted frame Daily driver- 1970 Olds delta 88, 2dr., 455, gotta love the big block |
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03-13-2008, 06:27 AM
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#21 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CA
Posts: 2,057
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Re: 350 or 400?
Quote:
not really... i'll be proving that this summer hopefully with my nova 
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03-16-2008, 07:35 PM
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#22 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: las vegas
Posts: 88
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Re: 350 or 400?
I got a 400 in my shortbed and a 350 in my c20 and believe you me the extra 50 cubes makes quite a difference- I just had to replace the drive shaft on the shortbed 'cuz the old one couldnt handle the torqe!! I would think a 400 in a 4x4 would be pretty sweet! Go for it.
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69 shorty w/ 67 front clip
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03-16-2008, 08:41 PM
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#23 |
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Special Order
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,851
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Re: 350 or 400?
400s is funner`na 3 fitty`at`s fer sure.
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 03-16-2008 at 08:42 PM. |
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03-16-2008, 08:49 PM
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#24 |
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Account Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,051
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Re: 350 or 400?
No replacement for displacement.
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03-16-2008, 09:32 PM
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#25 |
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Special Order
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,851
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Re: 350 or 400?
400 is easier to add and multiply than 350
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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