Free 400 for me... worth it? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

toddtheodd · 02-08-2005, 09:55 PM

I've got a friend at work that wants me to pull a motor for him. The motor is basically a short block with heads.
He said that it was a pontiac 400.
He also said that if I pull the motor for him, I can have it.
Now what I'm needing to know, is how I can tell if it is indeed a pontiac 400, or something else.
I'm guessing that a pontiac 400 would not be compatible with my transmission. So would it even be worth it to take the motor, or would I just be taking something that I can't use?
If nothing else. I figured I could use the crank to make a 383, unless of course it's not really a 400. (The person he bought it from didn't really know anything about trucks or motors, he just comes across deals a lot)
What would you do?
How can I tell what I have?
Todd

Staceydude · 02-08-2005, 10:04 PM

I say go find a pontiac site on the net and figure out how to id the engine.

There has got to be some numbers and identifying things on it.

If it is an older motor I say grab it. You never know what kind of heads or other good parts it may have on it.

I also say google it. Gotta be easy to get then umbers off the heads and block.

What is it in right now?

I also do not think a Pontiac 400 is anything like a Chevy 400... but really I do not know.

If you turn it down. PM me, hell I may pull it for him...

Regards,

Stacey

toddtheodd · 02-08-2005, 11:11 PM

Quote:

What is it in right now?

1964 c-10

Quote:

If you turn it down. PM me, hell I may pull it for him...

If I don't take the motor, he said he'd pay me cash to pull it for him. I figure that the motor would be worth more than the cash.

I'm going to get any numbers off of it that I can find tomorrow. I'm crossing my fingers that it is actually a chevy 400, if for no other reason than to know that my transmission will bolt right up to it.

Todd

**Warrens69GMC** · 02-08-2005, 11:37 PM

ID:
http://www.spottsperformance.com/engineid.htm:

I personally like the pontiac 400. The pontiac 400 is a whole different ballgame than the chevy 400, and parts don't interchange easy. However, if you are getting this for next to nothing or free- grab it! If he has the automatic trans that is behind the engine, get it too!
The pontiac 400 is a mid-weight block- not small/or large. It is however very plentifull in the salvage yards and has MORE potential than the chevy 400 by comparison. Parts are a little more, but the engine rocks!
heads:
http://www.spottsperformance.com/head%20id
The valves are already unshrouded,with 1.96 or 2.19 valves(I) and 1.66 for(E) .
more ?'s - just ask
warrens69gmc

toddtheodd · 02-08-2005, 11:41 PM

Quote:

If he has the automatic trans that is behind the engine, get it too!

Trans is already gone. Which is the great part. This would be the easiest engine pull ever. All it has holding it in is the exhaust manifolds and the motor mounts.

krazy_texan · 02-09-2005, 12:50 AM

if you dont pull it let me do it or if you just let me know when i might just come help just for something to do.

HeavyD · 02-09-2005, 12:52 AM

Yes, take it by all means. There are many Pontiac people out there that will want it if you don't.

Purs · 02-09-2005, 07:03 AM

I couldn't GIVE a complete Pontiac 400 away down here. It was complete with all the brackets, accessories, pulleys, even the correct 4 barell Quadrajet! It had a Turbo 400 behind it too.... Anyway, the bellhousing will most likely have a different bolt pattern than the chevy. However, they did make a few that had both the chevy and pontiac bolt pattern. You just need to look.

Tx Firefighter · 02-09-2005, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purs

I couldn't GIVE a complete Pontiac 400 away down here. It was complete with all the brackets, accessories, pulleys, even the correct 4 barell Quadrajet! It had a Turbo 400 behind it too.... Anyway, the bellhousing will most likely have a different bolt pattern than the chevy. However, they did make a few that had both the chevy and pontiac bolt pattern. You just need to look.

Same here brother. I pulled a running 400 Poncho with auto trans, complete, air cleaner to drain plug, fan to driveshaft yoke. It was still warm from running it when I set it onto the ground. I could not find anyone to even take it for free.

It must be a regional thing.

Chevy Muscle · 02-09-2005, 02:39 PM

I had a P 400 in my 78 trans am. Great engine, but completely different from a chevy. I would take it and sell it to a pontiac person if I were you.

HeavyD · 02-09-2005, 02:39 PM

Unreal. I have sold many pontiac parts over the years...maybe that's because the guys here still like late 70's trans ams??

*chevytruckfan* · 02-09-2005, 04:33 PM

Trans dapt makes parts to mate Pontiac engines to chevy trans and vice versa. If you decide to use it that is. I agree the Pontiac 400 has more potential than the chevy 400.

**Warrens69GMC** · 02-09-2005, 09:01 PM

I frequent a few boards, and I have asked a few people to help you if you wish to keep it. "Supe" is waiting on his approval code to post.
http://www.maliburacing.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18300
a couple of the guys have just finished thier 400-455's and have LOTS of do's and don'ts.
warrens69gmc

incoma · 02-09-2005, 10:08 PM

I think the pontiac 400 had some similarities to an olds 403. Great engines, lots of torque, no overheating problems vs the 400 chevy.

ratrod67 · 02-09-2005, 10:33 PM

Look for the number and letter code on the heads. Maybe you'll get lucky and find a set of 6X heads.

toddtheodd · 02-10-2005, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warrens69GMC

I frequent a few boards, and I have asked a few people to help you if you wish to keep it. "Supe" is waiting on his approval code to post.
http://www.maliburacing.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18300
a couple of the guys have just finished thier 400-455's and have LOTS of do's and don'ts.
warrens69gmc

Thank you. I appreciate that.
Todd

02-08-2005, 09:55 PM	#1
toddtheodd The oddest Todd around Join Date: May 2004 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 1,418	Free 400 for me... worth it? I've got a friend at work that wants me to pull a motor for him. The motor is basically a short block with heads. He said that it was a pontiac 400. He also said that if I pull the motor for him, I can have it. Now what I'm needing to know, is how I can tell if it is indeed a pontiac 400, or something else. I'm guessing that a pontiac 400 would not be compatible with my transmission. So would it even be worth it to take the motor, or would I just be taking something that I can't use? If nothing else. I figured I could use the crank to make a 383, unless of course it's not really a 400. (The person he bought it from didn't really know anything about trucks or motors, he just comes across deals a lot) What would you do? How can I tell what I have? Todd __________________ "The greatest pleasure is to vanquish your enemies and chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth and see those dear to them bathed in tears, to ride their horses and clasp to your bosom their wives and daughters." Ghengis Khan IIOY???

02-08-2005, 11:37 PM	#4
Warrens69GMC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Safford,AZ Posts: 3,625	Pontiac ID: http://www.spottsperformance.com/engineid.htm: I personally like the pontiac 400. The pontiac 400 is a whole different ballgame than the chevy 400, and parts don't interchange easy. However, if you are getting this for next to nothing or free- grab it! If he has the automatic trans that is behind the engine, get it too! The pontiac 400 is a mid-weight block- not small/or large. It is however very plentifull in the salvage yards and has MORE potential than the chevy 400 by comparison. Parts are a little more, but the engine rocks! heads: http://www.spottsperformance.com/head%20id The valves are already unshrouded,with 1.96 or 2.19 valves(I) and 1.66 for(E) . more ?'s - just ask warrens69gmc __________________ 1969 307, t350 1950 Chevy Wagon 1978 Big 10 1967 C10, 250,3-OTT

02-09-2005, 12:50 AM	#6
krazy_texan Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Des Moines, Ia Posts: 3,233	if you dont pull it let me do it or if you just let me know when i might just come help just for something to do. __________________ Krazy Texan My Trucks are made with Wrenches not Chop Sticks 1967 GMC 3/4 ton "Johnny Cash" 1990 v1500 suburban 1967 Ford f100 Swb 4x4 "green bean" GOD BLESS JESUS, JOHN WAYNE, AND THE ALAMO

02-09-2005, 12:52 AM	#7
HeavyD Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wakaw, Sask, Canada Posts: 3,180	Yes, take it by all means. There are many Pontiac people out there that will want it if you don't. __________________ "You can take the man out of PA, but you can't take PA out of the man"

02-09-2005, 07:03 AM	#8
Purs Got Big Block? Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: West Texas Posts: 1,510	I couldn't GIVE a complete Pontiac 400 away down here. It was complete with all the brackets, accessories, pulleys, even the correct 4 barell Quadrajet! It had a Turbo 400 behind it too.... Anyway, the bellhousing will most likely have a different bolt pattern than the chevy. However, they did make a few that had both the chevy and pontiac bolt pattern. You just need to look. __________________ "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."

02-08-2005, 10:04 PM	#2
Staceydude Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: DFW Area Texas Posts: 436	I say go find a pontiac site on the net and figure out how to id the engine. There has got to be some numbers and identifying things on it. If it is an older motor I say grab it. You never know what kind of heads or other good parts it may have on it. I also say google it. Gotta be easy to get then umbers off the heads and block. What is it in right now? I also do not think a Pontiac 400 is anything like a Chevy 400... but really I do not know. If you turn it down. PM me, hell I may pull it for him... Regards, Stacey

02-09-2005, 02:39 PM	#10
Chevy Muscle < 69 Blazer Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Nevada, TX Posts: 292	I had a P 400 in my 78 trans am. Great engine, but completely different from a chevy. I would take it and sell it to a pontiac person if I were you.

02-09-2005, 04:33 PM	#12
chevytruckfan Account Suspended Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lake Placid, Florida Posts: 930	Trans dapt makes parts to mate Pontiac engines to chevy trans and vice versa. If you decide to use it that is. I agree the Pontiac 400 has more potential than the chevy 400.

02-09-2005, 09:01 PM	#13
Warrens69GMC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Safford,AZ Posts: 3,625	pontiac 400 I frequent a few boards, and I have asked a few people to help you if you wish to keep it. "Supe" is waiting on his approval code to post. http://www.maliburacing.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18300 a couple of the guys have just finished thier 400-455's and have LOTS of do's and don'ts. warrens69gmc __________________ 1969 307, t350 1950 Chevy Wagon 1978 Big 10 1967 C10, 250,3-OTT

02-09-2005, 10:08 PM	#14
incoma Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 865	I think the pontiac 400 had some similarities to an olds 403. Great engines, lots of torque, no overheating problems vs the 400 chevy.

02-09-2005, 10:33 PM	#15
ratrod67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 2,269	Look for the number and letter code on the heads. Maybe you'll get lucky and find a set of 6X heads.



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