Ambulance engine

[El Jay]

[QUOTE=prg machine;2636982]So if it "was" a "real" "factory" ambulance engine .....................then it must have been a 400, with 202 heads, 4 bolt, high compression Corvette bottom end, a divorced custom transfercase with a built turbo 400, and the guy had no idea what he had and the guy who got it scored a gold mine!!!!

Oh, I guess it supposedly had the rare factory tach as well!!!



All I can say is this amalance motor got a ton o' miles on it the last few daze, LOL!

[72swb_327stroker_?]

what about the 2 bolt 327's?

you can make some serious power with these things, and they rev up to 9,10 thousand if built right!

[prg machine]

I was at a car show 2 years ago and saw this hot rod that looked real cool......................the guy who is bragging the ambulance engine was standing by it with his chest puffed up............I asked if it was his? he said yes...........and then said "where's yours?" I was under the impression from the way he talked about the car that he had built it.
I have spent now 4 1/2 years working on my truck and it will never look anything near as sharp as that hot rod looked........

I recently found out that he purchased the car just as i saw it!!!He did none of the work on that car............got it on a swingin deal from some poor sap that was either in a divorce or got some terminal illness and had to sell it for almost nothing to pay his bills.
After hearing that............. my truck just became all that much more meaningfull to me.!!!

Same blowhard who has the garage full of 4-bolt engines!!!!

[Blue'72]

I would see your truck and talk to you about what you've done to it than spend a minute looking at his hot rod and hear how he wrote out a check for it! Even if it did have an ambulance engine...

[Blue'72]

[bad421]

Originally Posted by prg machine

Oh.....................it's supposed to be the rare 4-bolt main 400 also!!!

They did make 4 bolt main 400s, but the 2 bolts are better when studded, high hp will tend to snap a 4 bolt cap, where as a 2 bolt cap has the 45* slopes on the center 3 caps like a bbc.

[72armyswbtruck]

Actually I have seen GM Brochures with the Ambulance package, where you ordered it from the local GM Dealer and it was sent to a coach builder. I will have to dig thru my brochures to find the one I am talking about.
My BS meter is still going off about the 202 heads and the small block 400.

Originally Posted by special-K

There was no factory "special ambulance" motor offered from the factory,nor ambulances for that matter.A Suburban would have been ordered with a conversion in mind and many special equipment items could be ordered through the factory.But,no higher performance motor was ever offered in any truck.
A fire dept. could do whatever they wanted once the vehicle was in their hands.But,I doubt they would do more than minor performance enhancements.

[72gord]

Correct me if I'm wrong here, I seem to remember reading the 2 bolt 400's had 2 frost plugs on the side of the block and the 4 bolters had 3 frost plugs...anyone else heard that? or am I dreaming again!!

[LONGHAIR]

Correct me if I'm wrong here, I seem to remember reading the 2 bolt 400's had 2 frost plugs on the side of the block and the 4 bolters had 3 frost plugs...anyone else heard that?

I was under the impression the all 400s had 3 core plugs and the other small blocks have only 2.
I have also understood that 2-bolt caps are prefered in 400s....something to do with the webbing of the block.

[hotrod 80]

I'm not trying to justify this story , just add to the thread . I worked for a school district and my work truck was a 1986 3/4 ton lwb cab and chassis . It had a government package from Chevrolet . It was a 350 with a q-jet and had factory duals with tube style headers , true duals with no cats or pumps , and a turbo 400 . This truck was completely as ordered from the factory . They had bought 6 and they all where the same . I also had a good friend that bought a 1984 suburban 4x4 from auction , it was a border patrol vehicle and had a very similar package . He pulled the 350 and replaced it with a stock type 383 and it worked great . I am in harris county and we must emission test yearly for state inspections , he just tells them to check out the tag , and when they enter the vin it all goes through .

[72gord]

Longhair....that does sound right, had my info mixed up, the harmonic balancer counter weight and the 3 plugs on the side of the block was how to tell if you had a 400 compared to th others. Thanks for the correction.

[67_C-30]

Not all 400 SBC's have 3 freeze plugs in the side of block. Every one I have ever seen or owned had the casted boss for the middle freeze plug, but not all of them were machined. There used to be a myth that 3 freeze plugs meant 4 bolt main and 2 freeze plugs meant 2 bolt main. It is ,however, a myth because I have a 2 bolt 400 in the shop with 3 freeze plugs.

The 2 bolts are more sought after for high HP, high RPM applications. The 2bolt blocks are stronger because when the 2 outer holes on the 4 bolt blocks were drilled, the hole breaks through the main webbing and into the bore relief area at the bottom of the cylinder. Being that it is not a blind hole (meaning a hole with a bottom instead of through hole) it causes a weak spot for a crack. The reason the 400 is the only SBC block to do this is because of the larger 4.125" bore. When 2 bolt blocks are converted to 4 bolts, splayed main caps are used because the angle of the outer bolt keeps the threads in the meat of main webbing. That, plus the angled outer bolts add additional strength because it is a superior design.

[slammed1]

The early and late model 400s are where differences come in also. Both my 400s were 70 models and had the 3 freeze plugs per side. I believe 511 or 509 blocks are a common 400 block casting number.later model 400 blocks had the 2 freeze plugs from my findings. Yes the 4 bolts are weeker,dont mean they arent worth anything though,just means if your a 6,000+ rpm guy,try to find a 2 bolt and splay it. For those who have seen a 4bolt main cap set up with the webbing underneath you would see what these guys are talking about......just another one of those hmmmmm things.

[prg machine]

Originally Posted by slammed1

The early and late model 400s are where differences come in also. Both my 400s were 70 models and had the 3 freeze plugs per side. I believe 511 or 509 blocks are a common 400 block casting number.later model 400 blocks had the 2 freeze plugs from my findings. Yes the 4 bolts are weeker,dont mean they arent worth anything though,just means if your a 6,000+ rpm guy,try to find a 2 bolt and splay it. For those who have seen a 4bolt main cap set up with the webbing underneath you would see what these guys are talking about......just another one of those hmmmmm things.

"hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm things"????????????? meaning 400small block ,,,,,,,,,by chance?


I agree....... get the same hmmmmmmmmmmm???????????? thing whenever I hear about the 400!~!!

[special-K]

Originally Posted by 72armyswbtruck

Actually I have seen GM Brochures with the Ambulance package, where you ordered it from the local GM Dealer and it was sent to a coach builder. I will have to dig thru my brochures to find the one I am talking about.

This is from a`72 Silver Book.What I had said was there was no special factory ambulance "motor".Either way,though,these are not "factory" ambulances.They are upfitted in the aftermarket.I guess you could call them "dealer installed".

About those speial no-cat `80s trucks.It didn`t have to be a special gov`t order.This is to do with the transition to no-lead only gas sales.I had a friend that owned a loaded`86 K/20 Silverado with the factory duals/no cat/regular gas set-up.It had to be verified through his VIN that it was factory to satisfy the emmisions police.

[LONGHAIR]

"hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm things"????????????? meaning 400small block ,,,,,,,,,by chance?


I agree....... get the same hmmmmmmmmmmm???????????? thing whenever I hear about the 400!~!!

Man, don't even get me started on that one..........
I mean, you don't say "327 small block" do you? so why 400? it is just as synonimus.

There is no such thing as a 400BB, so why?

I know......it's Chevy's fault, but most of the poeple that say "400SB" don't have a clue about why they say it.....

[prg machine]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

Man, don't even get me started on that one..........
I mean, you don't say "327 small block" do you? so why 400? it is just as synonimus.

There is no such thing as a 400BB, so why?

I know......it's Chevy's fault, but most of the poeple that say "400SB" don't have a clue about why they say it.....

I just say 400......................say no to a 400...............just say no!

[454_72_4X4]

My wife's 80 K20 has a 2 freeze plug 400. Even though I know it factory installed it still seems strange to me because they supposedly quit building 400's in the early 70's IIRC?

I'd wager most of those cracked 400's out there would be more correctly blamed on the "geniuses " behind the wheel and an engineer's idea of an adequate cooling system than on the actual engine block design.

All the "big" motors were killed by the 70's BS. The 400 just happened to be not big enough for the "big" trucks, and "too big" for small trucks/cars.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by 454_72_4X4

My wife's 80 K20 has a 2 freeze plug 400. Even though I know it factory installed it still seems strange to me because they supposedly quit building 400's in the early 70's IIRC?

GM produced 400 small blocks (sorry LONGHAIR) from 1970-1980. GM produced 400 blocks (which were actually 402 cu in) from 1970-1972.

Originally Posted by 454_72_4X4

I'd wager most of those cracked 400's out there would be more correctly blamed on the "geniuses " behind the wheel and an engineer's idea of an adequate cooling system than on the actual engine block design.

The geniuses behind the wheel had a lot to with it, but the fcat is not everybody is a mechanic or even mechanically inclined. In fact, we are the VAST minority. Manufacturers have to make their products as idiot proof (for lack of a better term) as they can. The 400 SBC isn't as forgiving to overheating as most SBC's are, and can't be over bored as much, and wear out quicker due to the short rods. As I said before though, a good 400 with little core shift and the high nickel make-up is an awesome power making engine if built right. 5.7" - or better yet - 6.0" rods make the stroke to rod ratio a lot more ideal.

Originally Posted by 454_72_4X4

All the "big" motors were killed by the 70's BS. The 400 just happened to be not big enough for the "big" trucks, and "too big" for small trucks/cars.

The biggest big block (454) and the biggest small block (400) were produced from started in 1970 and all the way through the 70's. (until the newer 8.1L's and 427 LS7's were produced)

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by 67_C-30

The biggest big block (454) and the biggest small block (400) were produced from started in 1970 and all the way through the 70's. (until the newer 8.1L's and 427 LS7's were produced)

BTW, Gas prices sky rocketed in the 70's and in late 90's - currently, and the biggest engines GM ever built were produced during those periods. Coincidence??

[454_72_4X4]

Originally Posted by 67_C-30

1. GM produced 400 small blocks (sorry LONGHAIR) from 1970-1980. GM produced 400 blocks (which were actually 402 cu in) from 1970-1972.

2. The geniuses behind the wheel had a lot to with it, but the fcat is not everybody is a mechanic or even mechanically inclined. In fact, we are the VAST minority.

3. The biggest big block (454) and the biggest small block (400) were produced from started in 1970 and all the way through the 70's. (until the newer 8.1L's and 427 LS7's were produced)

I agree with ya on most counts 67_C-30.

With the exception;
1. All 400's were small block engines. There were no exceptions.
The trucks/cars badged as 400 that had big blocks were 402's which is just a overbored 396 block. There is no such thing as a 400 big block. I'm with longhair here, it's a peeve of mine.

2. You're 100% right. That's why about 95% of the people on the road today should be walkin.

3. I guess I refrenced "big" in a general term. Mostly referring to horsepower, but cubic inches was in there too. The 454 survived because it was "the" truck motor. 73? was about the last 454 powered cars. The 400 just didn't have a "place" during those years. A few surfaced in some trucks, (IE my wife's 80), but there just wasn't enough demand for it to continue.

The 400 in my wife's 80 has been rebuilt once, (keep in mind it's 28 years old now), and it's still goin strong. Sounds like a decent platform to me..

Now if ya wanna talk about junk that chevy built, there's always the 307....LOL

[454_72_4X4]

Originally Posted by 67_C-30

BTW, Gas prices sky rocketed in the 70's and in late 90's - currently, and the biggest engines GM ever built were produced during those periods. Coincidence??

Hmmm.....

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by 454_72_4X4

I agree with ya on most counts 67_C-30.

With the exception;
1. All 400's were small block engines. There were no exceptions.
The trucks/cars badged as 400 that had big blocks were 402's which is just a overbored 396 block. There is no such thing as a 400 big block. I'm with longhair here, it's a peeve of mine.

2. You're 100% right. That's why about 95% of the people on the road today should be walkin.

3. I guess I refrenced "big" in a general term. Mostly referring to horsepower, but cubic inches was in there too. The 454 survived because it was "the" truck motor. 73? was about the last 454 powered cars. The 400 just didn't have a "place" during those years. A few surfaced in some trucks, (IE my wife's 80), but there just wasn't enough demand for it to continue.

The 400 in my wife's 80 has been rebuilt once, (keep in mind it's 28 years old now), and it's still goin strong. Sounds like a decent platform to me..

Now if ya wanna talk about junk that chevy built, there's always the 307....LOL

Oh I yeah, I definitely know there were no 400 BBC's (which is why I said they were actually 402 cu in) but the fact is, its another case of those geniuses again. If you don't at least make reference to the 400 BBC, there's always people who say "But my truck has a 400 Big Block!" That's why you kinda have to differentiate which engine you're talking about. Why in the world GM just didn't badge them as 402 we'll never know. 402 sounds cooler to me anyway!

I got another good one for ya. I guy once told me that Chevy made a big and small block version of ALL their engines. Of course, I said "um, NO!" He said that I, being a motor man, should know that. I told him that he was mistaken. He said he'd bring me PROOF! I told to him to knock yourself out. He comes back a little later with a Recon or Jasper catalog and PROVES it to me. He said, "See, I told you! 350 longblock, 350 shortblock - 454 long block, 454 short block, etc. A couple of my buddies were there at the shop, and even though the urge to really grill him in front of an audience was there, I nicely explained the difference between the longblock and shortblock.

[454_72_4X4]

Hahaha, yea that's a good one!

[special-K]

You have to say 400 big block or 400 small block so people know which engine you`re talking about.I don`t understand how that could bother anyone.We don`t say 327 small block because there were only small block 327s.No need to clarify.But with trucks equipped with 402s having emblems that read "400",which we all know are big blocks,then also making 400 small blocks it seems simple to see why we need to say which one we`re talking about.When we punch out a 400 to 427 we need to say 427 small block since anyone would automatically assume you mean a 427 big block.