What to do 400 sbc problems

Old 09-26-2010, 06:46 AM
  #1  
carssteve36
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Default What to do 400 sbc problems

Here the problem got a 400 sbc from a guy on this web site ,first the roller lifter breaks in the first 75 miles not his fault I know he does't make the parts that failed.Next 1000miles later white smoke out the tail pipe no big deal pull off the head find 5 head bolt holes heli coiled and block is split .Next pull motor out and take apart and find it is not a 400 but a 377 so know do I keep it a 377 or go to a 406 I have a good 400 block but now I need a crank and pistons to make the 406 witch is what I wanted in the first place .If you think I should post the sellers name I will he doesn't return my emails so I will build it my self this time and I know it's done right. :roll:
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Old 09-26-2010, 07:22 AM
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mytmouz
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I have ran both in my avatar truck, both ran nearly identical motor times, the 377 was a tad faster on the bottle. I prefered the 377 simply because I like to twist mine, and the 406 ran out of breath about the time the 377 was just starting to sing. If my 377 stuff was good, and I had another block, I would go back with it, if I had to buy the stuff anyways, I probably would still do the 377, but if you prefer the 406, then it would be the time to do that. All boils down to what you want, and if I was unhappy with the sellers response, I might send them one more message that I was going to throw them under the bus...
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Old 09-26-2010, 12:35 PM
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carssteve36
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I have been reading up on the 377 I guess they are a good motor just never had one before the brg spacers took me by surprize is there any problems with them. :?
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Old 09-26-2010, 12:52 PM
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mytmouz
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Not to me, but I am a fan of 377's. Never spun a spacer...
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Old 09-26-2010, 12:56 PM
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fla1976
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Ran with bearing spacers and never had a problem. I think the 377 is a great engine combo.
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Old 09-26-2010, 01:01 PM
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carssteve36
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It did run good and could have got more out of it at the track if I new it was a 377. I was thinking it was a 406 so I tried to tune it has one more gear and a shorter tire should get it done and let it rev .
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Old 09-26-2010, 01:08 PM
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zipper06
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I always run spacers, plus there's an advantage to running them since the top spacer is grooved, i go 45 degrees and drill a 5/32" hole in the upper main bearing allowing more oil to the mains, i've had 4 or 5 377" motors including the one in my avatar car pictured.

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Old 09-26-2010, 01:24 PM
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carssteve36
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Iam feeling better now and so is my wallet just the bad work on the block is a joke if the heli coil didn't let go I wouldn't have a clue it was a 377 instead of a 400 but such is life .
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Old 09-26-2010, 07:27 PM
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zipper06
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If the original builder would have put plugs in the steam holes and used studs there is a chance that the theads would have never needed hili- coils, i always use plugs in the steam hole and the 3/8" water hole and fill the block to the bottom of the waterpump holes.

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Old 10-02-2010, 03:29 PM
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carssteve36
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Got the new block friday heads planed put it together my self just got back form the road test 377 makes great power now it's done right .
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