Hello Andre'
Here is what I know. The 400 Small block is the only Small block to come
with 5.5" rods. All the other Small-blocks came with 5.7" rods. Chevy did
this . . . to make things fit better? I am guessing that they did not want
the wrist-pin so high on the piston. However, racers seem to "see"
advantage in longer rods and high wrist pin placement. The other compromise
was to simese the cylinder walls. This means that there is no water cooling
where the cylinders are closest. This might cause some minor distortion in
the cylinder wall because the non water cooled area will run a little
hotter, however; that is "no big deal" compared to the fifty plus cubic
inches gained. The reason I mention it is: the two mods Chevy made, work
against finding a good block. First the shortened rods increase the "rod
angle" a lot. Increased rod angle puts side load on the piston, and wears
out the cylinder walls faster. The other modification, the simesed cylinder
walls, make it difficult to overbore much without serious overheating
problems. Chevy says: Maximum safe overbore is .030" on a Small-block, and
.060" on a Big-block. I know machinists go way over those specs, but the
risk is a engine that always runs hot.
OK, sorry for the negitivity. Now for the plus side, my buddy Louie wore
out the 350 in his truck, and found a used 400. WOW, the torque increase is
fantastic. It is a completely different motor! It sounds different through
the exhaust, and the off idle torque is unreal. I will be looking for a
big-CI Small block for my next project.
Rob '67 Malibu
'67 El Camino (In a basket)
----- Original Message -----
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, July 10, 2002 4:57 AM
Subject: Re: [Chevelle-List] Small Block
> Hi everybody,
>
> Does somebody know if a production (not bowtie)400 cid small block can
> take 3,875" stroke without any big mods ?
> Same question for 4" stroke.
> We are talking about steel rods.
>
> Can a standard deck small block take longer rods than 6" (6,125" or
> 6,2")
>
> max overbore is 0,040", right ?
>
> I'm asking because a friend wants to give me his 400 block
> He says I can have it for free but i want to pay it, what is a fair
> price ?
>
> thanks !
>
> Andr�
>
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