Chevy 400 pros & cons

[chainsaw]

Any one running a 400 chevy, seems I heard they overheat. Pros or cons ? Thanks.

[99-LS1-SS]

Big block or small block?

[LeftCoast32]

I have run alot of small block 400's over the years. They have great torque and so long as you have a good cooling system they are no different then a 350.

[badblu97]

Actually getting ready to swap in a 400 in my 66....hope I can get the cooling under control!

[shortbed70]

I would suggest an aluminum waterpump and radiator and get a set of heads with the cooling holes and you should be fine. My buddy runs a 414 and it will run 185 all day running down the drag strip. Ive thought about building one if I could find one for nothing. Try to find a 509 block.

[Rich 5150 69]

I`ve found the biggest issue is timing, people not having the timing dialed in on 400`s or 350 `s for that matter, my coupe runs a 406 and early fuelies heads, just an electric fan up front, no room for mechanical, it runs at 180 on the road, slightly higher if I get caught in traffic about 200..[IMG][/IMG]

[bama63]

i have ran them on the local dirt tracks in all stroke combination's from 352s to 434s and have had no problems,just like any engine a good clean cooling system and adequate air flow and you wont have any problems as for drilling the steam holes in the heads if you are in a lot of heavy traffic then yes if you mostly drive freeway then no i personally have used them both ways and saw very little difference in temps with only a slight 10 degree increase if idling for a long periods and you also cant go beyond .040 overbore unless the casting is perfect when sonic tested

[jchav62]

I run a 400 in my 73 with a big block radiator. Never gets past 180. Awesome power. Very fun
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[chevyrestoguy]

I love them. The whole notion about them overheating is an old wive's tale. There are few differences in the blocks, however. The -511 blocks are the 4-bolt blocks, and believe it or not, they are the weakest of the bunch. They still make a great street engine, but if you're really stepping on them with nitrous, they have a limit (over 500 horsepower) where they can become a problem. The -509 and -817 blocks are the 2-bolt blocks and they are the desired block, especially if you have them drilled for the aftermarket splayed main caps. I wouldn't suggest anything over a .040 overbore because of the siamesed bores, and also because the 400 blocks are notorious for core shift.

Build it, you'll love it.

[Twiztid_66c10]

i had a 400 sbc in my 51 chevy coupe and loved it ran the stock 51 chevy raditor with it and never any problems. the thing ran storng and great tell i hooked up 100 shot of nitrous and blew #7 rod

[78 Chevyrado]

400's only have overheating problems is you use the wrong heads on them. as long as the steam holes are in the head, they're just fine.

[chainsaw]

Thanks for the info guys. The only 400 I had back in the day ended up having 2 cracked heads. Not the engines fault, but have been wary of them since.