Z-TARD Posted May 18, 2002 Share Posted May 18, 2002 Finally found a small block 400 last week. It has already been bored .040 over stock, although the cylinder walls feel like they may be thick enough to go to .060. How thin can the cylinder walls be before my engine becomes a pipe bomb? Is this engine destined to become a really heavy paperweight? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted May 18, 2002 Share Posted May 18, 2002 My suggestion; remove all doubt. Have the block sonic checked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-TARD Posted May 18, 2002 Author Share Posted May 18, 2002 The block is also a high nickel casting, it has the 010 and 020 cast behind the flexplate. At .060 it would be a 412, even better. If it does end up being to thin to use, I'll probably use the crank out of it to make a 383. Either way, not bad for $168. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted May 18, 2002 Share Posted May 18, 2002 Quantrex is right. In reading a book of Vizard's, he recommends not dropping below .15 inches of wall thickness. The only way to find out what your block currently has is to have it sonic checked by a reputable machine shop. Remember, it all depends on the block casting, not necessarily the amount it's been bored over. Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gbvol54 Posted May 18, 2002 Share Posted May 18, 2002 Concur with Davy Z. The wall thickness is not necessary uniform for a certain block type. The only way to be sure is a sonic check of the wall thickness. Extra cost, but cheaper than boring a "thin" block. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted May 18, 2002 Share Posted May 18, 2002 Another reason to sonic check it. If it will take a .060" overbore and you can afford Scat's 4.00" stroker crank setup, you'll have a 440cid SBC. If it doesn't pass muster, you can always sleeve it and have a big-main hd block for a 383 buildup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted May 20, 2002 Share Posted May 20, 2002 Originally posted by Quantrex:Another reason to sonic check it. If it will take a .060" overbore and you can afford Scat's 4.00" stroker crank setup, you'll have a 440cid SBC. Good Golly Miss Molly! That sounds mighty tasty indeed!!! I have been looking for a 400 SBC in the JY around here with no luck. I suppose I'm stuck with searching the classifieds unless I get a lucky break and score a 400 engine cheap. Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted May 20, 2002 Share Posted May 20, 2002 Do like a friend of mine did. Look for an early '70s Chevy wagon sitting in somebody's backyard. He told the owner he only needed the bumper and grille and offered to tow the rest away for $50. The guy was glad to get it out of his yard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl327 Posted May 20, 2002 Share Posted May 20, 2002 imma have to look into a 400, having a 406,415,427 whatever sbc has to be really nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.