Chris69

Recently acquired this ’69 which now has a 400ci and haven’t a clue as to what I’ve got. Seems to run pretty strong, but haven't fully 'tested' it. I know I don’t have much info to offer, but here’s all I know. Let me know what you think and if this is a decent combination of ‘stuff’ or otherwise. Tnx!

400ci. From who knows what. Maybe Pontiac. Has the 3 freeze plugs.

Crane Energizer cam. Part# 100072, grind 284 H12.

1.5 rockers

TRW pistons. Part# 400NP 30

Torker II intake

Holley 750 (don’t know which model, but has no choke)

Accel dual point dist., MSD 8mm wires, MSD Blaster 2 coil

Autolite 26 plugs (is this the right plug and what should the gap be?)


:flag

427V8

Nice!
What kinda Heads are on it? The Origional heads are pretty weak, small valves and stuff..

I doubt that it's a pontiac tho but that would be cool :smash:

Some chevy 400's had two freeze plugs some had 2..

Spark plug gap? good question...

OBTW, Beautifull car!

bnytro

gap it with 1970 400ci chevy specs, use 70 chevy plugs to since you car has an early 400 block

Fevre

Big cube sb are :cool: .



[Modified by Fevre, 7:54 AM 8/17/2003]

Chris69

Don't know about the heads, except they're iron.

The block number is 3951511 if that helps anything.

It's definitely a small block. I was told some Chevy's, like the El Camino had 400's, but they were 350 blocks and would have had just 2 freeze plugs.

I'll check the plugs specs for the '70 Chevy. The were gapped at .030, which seemed odd to me unless they weren't getting enough juice. I've replaced the coil and wires which were is sad shape.

The Money Pit

If the valve covers have 4 bolts I'm sure it's a Chevy SB,the Poncho 400 block is huge,looks like a BB.As for gap,most of the older points type ignitions ran .035-.040 gaps due to the low voltage coils. If the distributer is HEI gaps could run to .060.

I just saw the 511 block post. Mines a 511 too,which is a 400 4 bolt main block.


[Modified by The Money Pit, 12:00 PM 8/17/2003]

hudman

The 3951511 casting # was used twice

400 CID from 1970-73 Passenger, Chevelle, Monte Carlo 4 bolt main, 3 freeze plugs per side
400 CID from 75-80 Truck 4 bolt main, 3 freeze plugs per side

So you have an early 70's car motor or a late 70's truck motor. Either way, I do not think it matters.

Did you get the # of the heads when you had the valve covers off.

I got the above from the Catalog of Chevy V8 Engine Casting Numbers 1955-1993, It has numbers for every type of part in there.

Chris69

Sounds like we're getting somewhere! :steering:

I'll pull a valve cover off after it cools off a bit to check the number (just went for a short cruise to check out the new MSD wires and coil and gap set at .035). I can say that little combo improved things! I'll also take some engine pics today and post a link. Should I try .045 to see what happens? This car is so easy to get to things compared to the 'former' '81!!

I'll also try to get a number off the Holley to get some opinions on that. No telling what might have been done to it though.

Chris69

Here's a link to a few pics...
http://www.c3vettes.com/69_engine_pics.html

Fevre

First thing to do is get some headers to let those 400 ci breath! What are the specs ont he cam? I bet you got 30 to 50 hp (and a bunch of torq) just waiting/wanting to be unleashed. It does look nice and clean. :thumbs:

Jack71

Nice color & engine choice!

Chris69

The headers will eventually be there. I'm going to have to go with shorties to hook up to the factory sidepipes, so don't know how much I'll gain.

Hudman... here's what's stamped on the heads. 3951588. Just below that is K26 and about 2 inches over is a 9. The center of the heads are stamped with a GM13, and one area is stamped with ONV 4.

Here's more info...

Carb - Holley 3310-3, dual feed, vacuum secondaries

Accel Dist - 37100A

sb69coupe

Chris, I checked http://www.mortec.com and the only number similar to your heads was:

3951598....70......400..........76cc chambers

Could that be the number? Looks like 1970 heads if this is your number.

Shannon

Chris69

That's probably right, Shannon. Some of the numbers were a little hard to make out. So are those heads any good?

I tried to search the number on the pistons, but only found that they are made by TRW.

Is this Forum great or what!

hudman

Like the improvements that you have made (from the pics)!

The heads are not in my book at all. Glad Shannon could find them.

PRNDL

My next door neighbors have a 73 Caprice with the all original 400 ci smallblock and 2 barrel carb. :) MJ

maccc

same here.....pur a '71 /w a 400 ci also. Have you found any good websites for info on the small block chevy 400?