[ChopperScott]

Hello there. I've got a complete small block Chevy top end off an engine that I threw a rod through. I am now entertaining the thought of another build. The parts I have include...

•AFR 220 Eliminators, 1110 competition ported heads, 8027 spring upgrade, titanium retainers, 65cc
•Crower stainless steel full roller rockers, 1.5 ratio
•AFR stud girdles
•Comp Cams 300BR-6 solid roller, 260/270 @.050, .630/.630, 106° lsa
•Comp Cams roller lifters
•Weiand Team G 7531 single plane manifold with 2" raised plenum, port matched
•One complete virgin Chevy 400 2-bolt engine (never disassembled)

•Rotating assembly... to be determined

I'm looking to build a high compression 406 cu in full race engine for nostalgia bracket racing.

-My first option is to have the Chevy 400 block machined for 4-bolt splayed main caps, punch it out to 4.155, and drill steam holes in the AFR heads.
-Next option is to purchase an aftermarket block and have the required machine work completed

If this was your build...
-Which option would you choose?
-Which aftermarket block would you choose?
-What are the pros and cons of each?

 

[Randy Wilson]

After market. SHP or better.

 

[Speed_Metal]

Spend the money and buy a Dart Little M or SHP. Forget about the Chevy 400 SBC blocks. They're the weakest of the bunch.

 

[THORNY]

SHP, Little M, Motown, You'll gain up to 20 hp with the better block. Cylinder bore stability, better ring seal, and stronger block that can be bored without thinning walls.

 

[novafornow]

I've been at this a while. Didn't have good blocks years ago. You will have a lot of money in the block going the splayed route. In the end the block may still crack. I know that some will say they got away with it, so did I for two seasons. Then split. Not to mention loss of power due to ring seal. SHP is a no brainer.

 

[Pc3427]

motown 4 bolt main billet caps cant go wrong race ready just add your flavors

 

[fastfox420n/a]

Dart block for the long haul !

 

[hr1090]

Forget the stock block idea all together, aftermarket and consider buying an assembled short block it is cheaper i the long run. Ohio crank has them for $4600 ready for your top end and valve train. I have had great luck with their engines.

 

[goneracin]

right now, whatever you can find.
and that is pretty much nothing iron.
All my builds currently are aluminum unless the guy happens to want to use one of the iron i have on hand.
Good luck..lol.

 

[BOOT]

I have bad luck what ever I do but deff wouldn't try a stock block. I'd buy an all aftermarket shortblock and then take it apart to check it & send it back if I found a problem LOL

 

[Eroc406]

Little M for the win !'
I have had several 400 SBC and still run a stock block in my " street car" altho it has been good to be I still limit it to 6400 -6500 rpm I have witnessed several of them fail. When I got my Little M and felt the weight of the block and the casting I know that it could take what ever I could throw at it and probably more.

 

[Curly1]

I would not use a factory 400 block for anything. Little M.

 

[crazees#2]

Be lucky if it isn't already cracked. I'm done with stock blocks after the two I have wear out. I think the last 2 or 3 I've took in were bad.

 

[SMJr]

Lot of very good results with the newer Motown blocks!!!

 

[ChopperScott]

Thanks for the informative replies. I was asking about the stock block because my old man has had that stock 400 sitting in his garage for decades. He always wanted to do a 406 track build with it and never got around to it. I was already leaning towards a Dart SHP, as I have another recently completed 11:1 434 build with the SHP.

 

[bigblockmark]

Don't need steam holes in heads for racing. 400 needs lots of work to the decks to stand a chance of living. Plug the steam holes, plug the big coolant holes and redrill small holes. Additional holes along the bottom coolant holes. (Copy what Bill Jenkins did in his engine books.) SHP or Little M will get you 421" pretty easy. and free HP. Will be a good long term investment, good for several rebuilds. Used parts are bring a premium. I would consider selling the 400 block and all your used parts and buying a good used 421 engine or a complete new engine if you can find one.( I just happen to have a complete Little M aluminum head engine sitting in the corner that needs nothing.) Just sayin..

 

[Pc3427]

427 / 434 go big or go home

 

[ChopperScott]

Top end in question…

 

[ChopperScott]

427 / 434 go big or go home

I'm not interested in going any bigger. My goal is to build the engine my father wanted to build, but never got around to it. Not to mention, I already have a recently completed 434 build...

427 SBC: The Quest for 10.00 @ 135...on Pump Gas

Hello ladies and gentlemen. I'd like to share the latest build for my NETO/N Pro-street bracket car... •Long block assembly by Big Sal's Racing Engines •Dyno tuning at Bison Engine and Machine •427 .030 over (434 cu in) Small Block Chevy •4.155 bore x 4.000 stroke •11:1 compression •Dart SHP...

www.yellowbullet.com

 

[Oldjoe87]

Hard to find blocks shp, and little m good luck