AHH! No 350, but a 400! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Longhorn Al · 07-08-2002, 09:02 PM

I took my truck to a guy to have the heads and ram horns replaced because I had a really bad leak and no compression. Today we get a call saying that I don't have a 350. He says it's actually a 400!

I'm feeling a bit frustrated and excited. My options sheet says a 350. The previous owner said it was a 350. This is the first time it's been ripped into. The guy said he's already found a pair of 400 heads to replace mine with. He had to trade a 327 for them. I have to pay an extra $150 for them. He said mine have a cracked valve and are just worn out, and would cost a fortune to repair.

So now the whole deal is $325 for a pair of rebuilt 400sb heads (he's going to replace valve seals, etc), a pair of ram horn manifolds for $90, and installation. Does this sound like an ok deal?

I know I'm talking a lot, but this is crazy.

Also, how much extra horse power do 400's get than 350's considering both are stock? But, if someone went through the trouble of putting in a 400, what are the odds that it is stock?

*Randy70C-10* · 07-08-2002, 09:08 PM

Hmmm, you got ripped off. I'll bring you a 350 to trade for the 400.

*Randy70C-10* · 07-08-2002, 09:10 PM

BTW- I wouldn't do that for just anyone.

lukecp · 07-08-2002, 09:27 PM

$90 sounds really high for the ramshorns. I sold a pair on the parts board for $40 plus shipping not to long ago, and they were in almost perfect shape. I have seen them go anywhere from $40-$60. For $110, you can get a set of headers and pick up some more hp, and 1mpg or two. A 400 has more potentiatl than a 350, becasuse of the extra displacment. The 400 proably has as much, if not more, potential for power than a 383 stroker. Stock, there proably isn't more than 20hp of difference between the two. But the 400 is known for being a gas hog.

Longhorn Man · 07-08-2002, 10:57 PM

In stock form, the 400 is a wheezing fat pig in the upper horse power range, but the torque off the line is better than a 350. Some people think 400s are junk, but they are not, and I hate seeing people canabalize them for the crank to make a smaller displacement engine, that costs more to build.

If it wasn't for the Caddy engine, i would be building up my 400 block with 2 bolt mains that I have sittin in my storage unit.
The price you are getting is not too bad. The manifolds are a bit steep, but here in Columbus, you'd be hard pressed to find a local deal any better. I just wonder what "400 heads" he's putting on there. Try to get a casting number off of him, and MAKE SURE they have steam holes. This is a MUST DO.
400s can be awsome animals with just a little $$ put into them.
Find out what year the engine is too, and let me know if you would.

Super Chevy · 07-09-2002, 12:22 AM

ill trade you a 350 for it, so the glovebox will match the engine...

S-C

speeddemon · 07-09-2002, 12:35 AM

First of all check the balancer. If it is not a solid unit than yes it is as a 400. 400's are Ext. ballanced there should be a low spot on the inside of the balancer. Do you have a weight on the flywheel? Don't just go by what someone tells you. Chek theses items first!

07-08-2002, 09:02 PM	#1
Longhorn Al Texas Longhorn For Life Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 698	AHH! No 350, but a 400! I took my truck to a guy to have the heads and ram horns replaced because I had a really bad leak and no compression. Today we get a call saying that I don't have a 350. He says it's actually a 400! I'm feeling a bit frustrated and excited. My options sheet says a 350. The previous owner said it was a 350. This is the first time it's been ripped into. The guy said he's already found a pair of 400 heads to replace mine with. He had to trade a 327 for them. I have to pay an extra $150 for them. He said mine have a cracked valve and are just worn out, and would cost a fortune to repair. So now the whole deal is $325 for a pair of rebuilt 400sb heads (he's going to replace valve seals, etc), a pair of ram horn manifolds for $90, and installation. Does this sound like an ok deal? I know I'm talking a lot, but this is crazy. Also, how much extra horse power do 400's get than 350's considering both are stock? But, if someone went through the trouble of putting in a 400, what are the odds that it is stock? __________________ 1970 C-10 named HOSS 400SB/TH350, PS, PB, 3.07 gears \m/ Hook 'Em from Austin, TEXAS

07-08-2002, 09:27 PM	#4
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	$90 sounds really high for the ramshorns. I sold a pair on the parts board for $40 plus shipping not to long ago, and they were in almost perfect shape. I have seen them go anywhere from $40-$60. For $110, you can get a set of headers and pick up some more hp, and 1mpg or two. A 400 has more potentiatl than a 350, becasuse of the extra displacment. The 400 proably has as much, if not more, potential for power than a 383 stroker. Stock, there proably isn't more than 20hp of difference between the two. But the 400 is known for being a gas hog. __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

07-08-2002, 10:57 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	In stock form, the 400 is a wheezing fat pig in the upper horse power range, but the torque off the line is better than a 350. Some people think 400s are junk, but they are not, and I hate seeing people canabalize them for the crank to make a smaller displacement engine, that costs more to build. If it wasn't for the Caddy engine, i would be building up my 400 block with 2 bolt mains that I have sittin in my storage unit. The price you are getting is not too bad. The manifolds are a bit steep, but here in Columbus, you'd be hard pressed to find a local deal any better. I just wonder what "400 heads" he's putting on there. Try to get a casting number off of him, and MAKE SURE they have steam holes. This is a MUST DO. 400s can be awsome animals with just a little $$ put into them. Find out what year the engine is too, and let me know if you would. Last edited by Longhorn Man; 07-08-2002 at 11:47 PM.

07-09-2002, 12:35 AM	#7
speeddemon Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: lexington,South Carolina Posts: 158	First of all check the balancer. If it is not a solid unit than yes it is as a 400. 400's are Ext. ballanced there should be a low spot on the inside of the balancer. Do you have a weight on the flywheel? Don't just go by what someone tells you. Chek theses items first! __________________ 69-C10 LWB 71- fleetside shortbed It's a shame stupidity isn't painful Never play leapfrog with a unicorn

07-08-2002, 09:08 PM	#2
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	Hmmm, you got ripped off. I'll bring you a 350 to trade for the 400.

07-08-2002, 09:10 PM	#3
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	BTW- I wouldn't do that for just anyone.

07-09-2002, 12:22 AM	#6
Super Chevy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,025	ill trade you a 350 for it, so the glovebox will match the engine... S-C



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