Question about fender emblems - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*dtlilly* · 02-03-2004, 10:34 PM

I looked at a truck yesterday and was wondering about the fender emblems. The truck is a 72 C-20, and the front fender emblems say "8-400". There is no motor and glove box door is missing. Does this emblem mean this was originally a big block truck with either a 396 or 402 motor?

ozarkhippie · 02-03-2004, 10:36 PM

Yes
If it was a 72 it was a 402

Hooter · 02-03-2004, 11:56 PM

ya they called the 402 which was actually a 396 a "400" confused yet?

ozarkhippie · 02-04-2004, 12:02 AM

actualy a 402 is a 30 over bored 396. but came from the fact as 402 not 396

1969 GMC · 02-04-2004, 01:59 AM

wasnt there a casting defect or something, which made them bore the 396 out to 402? I know they belong to the same family, the "baby big blocks".

Longhorn Man · 02-04-2004, 02:03 AM

it was inner company politics. The top GM brass didn't want a small block that was bigger than a big block, so the year that the 400 small block was released, (1970) they bored the 396 out to a 420. The 402 kept the 396 name in performance aplications becouse it already had a good name for winning races, however, there is no telling why they called them 400 in a truck, that just makes no sence.

*dtlilly* · 02-04-2004, 02:12 AM

Thanks for the responses. I really want this truck, but not sure if I can swing the 5K he wants for it. I sold the GMC today, but for only 1/2 of what he wants, then I'd need a big block, th-400 tranny, and paint. It's extremely clean and well optioned. If I decide not to get it, I will let the board know of this deal. Thanks again, Don.

02-03-2004, 10:34 PM	#1
dtlilly Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Shadow of Lambeau Field Posts: 5,597	Question about fender emblems I looked at a truck yesterday and was wondering about the fender emblems. The truck is a 72 C-20, and the front fender emblems say "8-400". There is no motor and glove box door is missing. Does this emblem mean this was originally a big block truck with either a 396 or 402 motor?

02-03-2004, 10:36 PM	#2
ozarkhippie Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Eureka Springs AR Posts: 494	Yes If it was a 72 it was a 402 __________________ Buy Sale or Trade 71 3/4 4x4 72 1/2 ton cheyenne 4x4

02-03-2004, 11:56 PM	#3
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	ya they called the 402 which was actually a 396 a "400" confused yet? __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

02-04-2004, 12:02 AM	#4
ozarkhippie Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Eureka Springs AR Posts: 494	actualy a 402 is a 30 over bored 396. but came from the fact as 402 not 396 __________________ Buy Sale or Trade 71 3/4 4x4 72 1/2 ton cheyenne 4x4

02-04-2004, 01:59 AM	#5
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	wasnt there a casting defect or something, which made them bore the 396 out to 402? I know they belong to the same family, the "baby big blocks". __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

02-04-2004, 02:03 AM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	it was inner company politics. The top GM brass didn't want a small block that was bigger than a big block, so the year that the 400 small block was released, (1970) they bored the 396 out to a 420. The 402 kept the 396 name in performance aplications becouse it already had a good name for winning races, however, there is no telling why they called them 400 in a truck, that just makes no sence.

02-04-2004, 02:12 AM	#7
dtlilly Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Shadow of Lambeau Field Posts: 5,597	Thanks for the responses. I really want this truck, but not sure if I can swing the 5K he wants for it. I sold the GMC today, but for only 1/2 of what he wants, then I'd need a big block, th-400 tranny, and paint. It's extremely clean and well optioned. If I decide not to get it, I will let the board know of this deal. Thanks again, Don.



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