Ambulance engine - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

prg machine · 03-19-2008, 05:47 AM

I recently was told about this engine someone picked up out of a suburban type truck ambulance package . It was 4x4 and the engine is supposedly a "rare" GM ambulance engine with 400ci and 2.02 valves.

was there ever such an engine from the factory?
did this person realy find some rare "treasure"?

**too much stuff** · 03-19-2008, 05:55 AM

Never heard of such a thing. In a 68-72 4x4, the biggest v-8 was a 350. The 400 small block came in later years.

slammed1 · 03-19-2008, 08:11 AM

What year was this truck built? I have seen 400 small blocks dated late 69 personally. Also to my knowledge any 2.02 factory small block heads had screw in studs if I remember correctly.Sounds far fetched to me,but what do I know.New things show up all the time that make us go Hmmm.

**Bob B.** · 03-19-2008, 12:40 PM

2.02 Heads were never factory installed on any 400 small block. As the earlier post stated, 4X4's didn't come with Big Blocks (which usually had 2.06 intakes in standard performance/truck applications). My B.S. meter's ringing pretty hard on this one.....

**El Jay** · 03-19-2008, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob B.

2.02 Heads were never factory installed on any 400 small block. As the earlier post stated, 4X4's didn't come with Big Blocks (which usually had 2.06 intakes in standard performance/truck applications). My B.S. meter's ringing pretty hard on this one.....

How the hell do you guys remember all this technical stuff?

Inquiring minds wanna know?????????????????

67_C-30 · 03-19-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob B.

2.02 Heads were never factory installed on any 400 small block. As the earlier post stated, 4X4's didn't come with Big Blocks (which usually had 2.06 intakes in standard performance/truck applications). My B.S. meter's ringing pretty hard on this one.....

X2

**special-K** · 03-19-2008, 01:51 PM

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.

72armyswbtruck · 03-22-2008, 01:09 PM

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.

Quote:

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.

**special-K** · 03-23-2008, 03:08 PM

Quote:

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 · 03-23-2008, 06:04 PM

Quote:

"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 · 03-23-2008, 11:48 PM

Quote:

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!

**special-K** · 03-19-2008, 04:32 PM

I think red ambulances are faster than the white ones.

*ksjh1316* · 03-19-2008, 04:46 PM

Tims right the red ones were faster they had the ultra rare corvette option package.

**70cst** · 03-19-2008, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksjh1316

Tims right the red ones were faster they had the ultra rare corvette option package.

I think ksjh1316 is on to something? If I remember there was a rarely used and manufactured 400 MB that was produced back in the late 60's.
( MB=mid Block). To keep the HP up the ambulance was fitted with a rare but special Z06 quad exhaust. These ambulances used a new awd system and not 4x4 so they would give a softer ride in bad weather. Only someone with vast 67-72 Chevy knowledge would recognize the difference...someone like The Longhorn Man. Special-K was close to the paint...but it was actually a limited edition cor-orange color. The white painted amulances were actully use only for funeral homes and the ambulances (those that were used for the hospitals) that used the speclal limited cor-orange paint worked like this-the paint molecules were wind sensitive that at slow speeds the color was actually "corvette red" but once the driver put the pedal to the metal the wind resistance to the paint molecules transformed the paint to a brilliant "orange" color as a warning for others to look out...I am heading full speed to my desintaion. Once the ambulance went back to the speed limit (about 55-65 mph) the colors would revert back to the re-orange which again was the special "Corvette Red" option paint. Yes...this ambulance is very rare and if I remember right they still are being used in area 51. I hope this is helpful as you all know I would never pass on anything that would be rumor material.

ps...maybe I stretched it just a little.

redhead69 · 03-19-2008, 06:39 PM

thats some funny S&$^!!!

**special-K** · 03-19-2008, 06:47 PM

What`s the code on that paint?I wanna get me some of that shtuff.

prg machine · 03-19-2008, 07:22 PM

The plot thickens!

I tried to find out what year it was and the guy who knows the guy said it also had a "special" divorced transfercase as well!!!!

I would love to have seen this truck to confirm all of this.........................sounds more like a hodge podge of parts to me.

**special-K** · 03-19-2008, 07:38 PM

Some people try to make everything bigger than life,as if it`s not already interesting enough.That`s my guess on this guy.
I wonder if before the transfer case divorced the transmission they tryed counseling.I heard a pto mounted the trans then ended up mounting the t-case.Couldn`t keep track of it`s prop shaft to save it`s life.That stuff`s hard to forgive.

prg machine · 03-19-2008, 08:07 PM

auto tranny too! Turbo 400 they said!

67_C-30 · 03-20-2008, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

Some people try to make everything bigger than life,as if it`s not already interesting enough.That`s my guess on this guy.
I wonder if before the transfer case divorced the transmission they tryed counseling.I heard a pto mounted the trans then ended up mounting the t-case.Couldn`t keep track of it`s prop shaft to save it`s life.That stuff`s hard to forgive.

I know the engine that is currently mated to the transmission, and according to the it, the transfer case got the SHAFT!!!

bw4sale · 03-19-2008, 08:41 PM

Quote:

I wonder if before the transfer case divorced the transmission they tryed counseling.I heard a pto mounted the trans then ended up mounting the t-case.Couldn`t keep track of it`s prop shaft to save it`s life.That stuff`s hard to forgive.

Ha ha. That's pretty funny. Again, why am I always drinking something when I read this. My computer does not need another bath.

prg machine · 03-19-2008, 09:49 PM

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

drivethechevy · 03-19-2008, 10:43 PM

ahaha wow my grandpa worked at a chevy dealership from the 60s and into the 70s and i seem to remeber him telling me f these rare ambulance options and how they were completely hand built by gm executives and were the copo camaro of 67-72 trucks in ambulance forms trucks so rare that they were only government issue haha
thats some real funny bull s%&t haha

bad421 · 03-22-2008, 08:05 AM

Quote:

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.

slammed1 · 03-20-2008, 01:02 AM

I think a few already know prg machines take on 400 sb's anyway so its safe to assume he is "cracking" a good one here.

03-19-2008, 05:47 AM	#1
prg machine Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: oregon Posts: 1,069	Ambulance engine I recently was told about this engine someone picked up out of a suburban type truck ambulance package . It was 4x4 and the engine is supposedly a "rare" GM ambulance engine with 400ci and 2.02 valves. was there ever such an engine from the factory? did this person realy find some rare "treasure"? __________________ 69 K-20 cloned to a 67 with front clip and some other stuff. 383 .040 over Crane roller cam lifters and rockers ,1.6 intake ratio, Open chamber heads, 9.5-1 compression ratio, 2.02 intake valves , Edelbrock performer Air Gap manifold Carter AFB performer 750cfm, MSD ignition, SM465 NP205 4.10 gears:

03-19-2008, 05:55 AM	#2
too much stuff Roadtrip! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Grand Rapids MN Posts: 13,721	Re: Ambulance engine Never heard of such a thing. In a 68-72 4x4, the biggest v-8 was a 350. The 400 small block came in later years. __________________ 67 gmc custom lwb dakota truck. Sold...And bought back 69 swb 4x4 project (in progress) 70 c-10 lwb texas truck 70 4x4/BB/bkts/posi/tach(retired) 70 swb (wifes) 70 jimmy camper 71 K-5 factory 2wd 71 cheyenne 4x4/tach/posi/ plow rig 71 Cheyenne20 BB, buckets, tach, tilt, 4 speed 72 jimmy CST wyoming rig 72 jimmy Colorado rig 72 lifted texas 4x4 3/4 ton burb 65 fury conv. 383/auto 65 chrysler 300 "L" 413 auto

03-19-2008, 08:11 AM	#3
slammed1 1972 Chevrolet SWB Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: FT Smith AR Posts: 512	Re: Ambulance engine What year was this truck built? I have seen 400 small blocks dated late 69 personally. Also to my knowledge any 2.02 factory small block heads had screw in studs if I remember correctly.Sounds far fetched to me,but what do I know.New things show up all the time that make us go Hmmm. __________________ My New thread with pics (not my build thread yet.) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...46#post2573646 1972 Chevrolet 1/2 ton short wide bed,68 frt clip Project. 1980 Camaro Inherited when father passed,68K Miles 2003 Ford Mach1 FUN as Hell!! 2002 Dodge Ram 5-8 slam Rolling BillBoard (Gone not forgot) 2004 Dodge Ram HEMI 10" lifted on 37's and 2wd.

03-19-2008, 12:40 PM	#4
Bob B. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,327	Re: Ambulance engine 2.02 Heads were never factory installed on any 400 small block. As the earlier post stated, 4X4's didn't come with Big Blocks (which usually had 2.06 intakes in standard performance/truck applications). My B.S. meter's ringing pretty hard on this one..... __________________ 1967 GMC CM-2500 Camper Cruiser, 351E V-6, NP 435 4 speed, Dana 60, and factory A/C. 2012 GMC K-3500 WT regular cab, 6.0L Vortec, 6L90.

03-19-2008, 01:51 PM	#7
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,859	Re: Ambulance engine 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. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 03-19-2008 at 04:31 PM.

03-19-2008, 04:32 PM	#12
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,859	Re: Ambulance engine I think red ambulances are faster than the white ones. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-19-2008, 04:46 PM	#13
ksjh1316 Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 1,599	Re: Ambulance engine Tims right the red ones were faster they had the ultra rare corvette option package.

03-19-2008, 06:39 PM	#15
redhead69 fugedaboutit Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gresham, OR Posts: 832	Re: Ambulance engine thats some funny S&$^!!! __________________ Currently truckless

03-19-2008, 06:47 PM	#16
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,859	Re: Ambulance engine What`s the code on that paint?I wanna get me some of that shtuff. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-19-2008, 07:22 PM	#17
prg machine Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: oregon Posts: 1,069	Re: Ambulance engine The plot thickens! I tried to find out what year it was and the guy who knows the guy said it also had a "special" divorced transfercase as well!!!! I would love to have seen this truck to confirm all of this.........................sounds more like a hodge podge of parts to me. __________________ 69 K-20 cloned to a 67 with front clip and some other stuff. 383 .040 over Crane roller cam lifters and rockers ,1.6 intake ratio, Open chamber heads, 9.5-1 compression ratio, 2.02 intake valves , Edelbrock performer Air Gap manifold Carter AFB performer 750cfm, MSD ignition, SM465 NP205 4.10 gears:

03-19-2008, 07:38 PM	#18
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,859	Re: Ambulance engine Some people try to make everything bigger than life,as if it`s not already interesting enough.That`s my guess on this guy. I wonder if before the transfer case divorced the transmission they tryed counseling.I heard a pto mounted the trans then ended up mounting the t-case.Couldn`t keep track of it`s prop shaft to save it`s life.That stuff`s hard to forgive. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-19-2008, 08:07 PM	#19
prg machine Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: oregon Posts: 1,069	Re: Ambulance engine auto tranny too! Turbo 400 they said! __________________ 69 K-20 cloned to a 67 with front clip and some other stuff. 383 .040 over Crane roller cam lifters and rockers ,1.6 intake ratio, Open chamber heads, 9.5-1 compression ratio, 2.02 intake valves , Edelbrock performer Air Gap manifold Carter AFB performer 750cfm, MSD ignition, SM465 NP205 4.10 gears:

03-19-2008, 09:49 PM	#22
prg machine Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: oregon Posts: 1,069	Re: Ambulance engine Oh.....................it's supposed to be the rare 4-bolt main 400 also!!! __________________ 69 K-20 cloned to a 67 with front clip and some other stuff. 383 .040 over Crane roller cam lifters and rockers ,1.6 intake ratio, Open chamber heads, 9.5-1 compression ratio, 2.02 intake valves , Edelbrock performer Air Gap manifold Carter AFB performer 750cfm, MSD ignition, SM465 NP205 4.10 gears:

03-19-2008, 10:43 PM	#23
drivethechevy Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Buffalo MN Posts: 606	Re: Ambulance engine ahaha wow my grandpa worked at a chevy dealership from the 60s and into the 70s and i seem to remeber him telling me f these rare ambulance options and how they were completely hand built by gm executives and were the copo camaro of 67-72 trucks in ambulance forms trucks so rare that they were only government issue haha thats some real funny bull s%&t haha __________________ Trial and Error, its expensive but its a mistake i most likely wont make again 1971 chevy k10 custom deluxe http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=341257 1968 chevy k/10 fleet http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=334731 1948 desoto custom coupe fluid drive(family heirloom)

03-20-2008, 01:02 AM	#25
slammed1 1972 Chevrolet SWB Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: FT Smith AR Posts: 512	Re: Ambulance engine I think a few already know prg machines take on 400 sb's anyway so its safe to assume he is "cracking" a good one here. __________________ My New thread with pics (not my build thread yet.) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...46#post2573646 1972 Chevrolet 1/2 ton short wide bed,68 frt clip Project. 1980 Camaro Inherited when father passed,68K Miles 2003 Ford Mach1 FUN as Hell!! 2002 Dodge Ram 5-8 slam Rolling BillBoard (Gone not forgot) 2004 Dodge Ram HEMI 10" lifted on 37's and 2wd.



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