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Old 03-13-2008, 01:18 AM   #1
Hittman
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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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Old 03-13-2008, 01:22 AM   #2
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Re: 350 or 400?

The 400 is a strong motor; that would get my vote.
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Old 03-13-2008, 01:25 AM   #3
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Re: 350 or 400?

400 gets my vote!
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Old 03-13-2008, 01:43 AM   #4
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Re: 350 or 400?

400 would be my choice. I have a 400 in my 50.'

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Old 03-13-2008, 02:16 AM   #5
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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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Old 03-13-2008, 02:23 AM   #6
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Re: 350 or 400?

easy.....400
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Old 03-13-2008, 02:36 AM   #7
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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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Old 03-13-2008, 03:49 AM   #8
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Re: 350 or 400?

three fiddy! (350)
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Old 03-13-2008, 04:28 AM   #9
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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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Old 03-13-2008, 04:44 AM   #10
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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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Old 03-13-2008, 05:01 AM   #11
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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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Old 03-13-2008, 05:02 AM   #12
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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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Old 03-13-2008, 05:04 AM   #13
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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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Old 03-13-2008, 05:16 AM   #14
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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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Old 03-13-2008, 05:28 AM   #15
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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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Old 03-13-2008, 05:37 AM   #16
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Re: 350 or 400?

bigger is always better (400)
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Old 03-13-2008, 05:47 AM   #17
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Re: 350 or 400?

Quote:
Originally Posted by wibilly View Post
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
Wibilly is right about that. The one I had in my chevelle was pretty mild & I wouldnt take it over 6 just to keep it together. It still ran high 12's & would last a long time keeping the revs down. Those small block 400's are stump pullers!

Last edited by corn; 03-13-2008 at 05:48 AM.
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Old 03-13-2008, 06:27 AM   #18
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Re: 350 or 400?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 70cst View Post
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
i dont think this 400 is a big block. actully, none of them were lol
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Old 03-13-2008, 06:27 AM   #19
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Re: 350 or 400?

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Originally Posted by oldsmobilekindofguy View Post
bigger is always better (400)


not really... i'll be proving that this summer hopefully with my nova
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Old 03-16-2008, 11:35 AM   #20
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Re: 350 or 400?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 70cst View Post
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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Old 03-16-2008, 05:43 PM   #21
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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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Old 03-16-2008, 07:35 PM   #22
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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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Old 03-16-2008, 08:41 PM   #23
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Re: 350 or 400?

400s is funner`na 3 fitty`at`s fer sure.
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Old 03-16-2008, 08:49 PM   #24
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Re: 350 or 400?

No replacement for displacement.
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Old 03-16-2008, 09:32 PM   #25
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Re: 350 or 400?

400 is easier to add and multiply than 350
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