Thread: "fuelie" sbc 400

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Thanks, alot of info!

Sorry for leaving out the all important details!

The heads, when I bought them they had already been to the machine shop. I took them to my machinist anyway and had him- boil, crack check, flat check, drill steam holes, install threaded rocker studs and guides, drill out the old push rod holes. As far as valve size they are an original 2.02, the previous machinist installed hardened seats and new valves. The ports have not been touched. The valve springs... my machinist and I had a long talk because I told him I want them to see a half inch of lift (that's why we put the threaded studs in them). This is where my confusion comes in. He told me if we test the pressure of the springs it will tell us and sure enough I was told there "good z-28 springs". He then shimmed/checked the height on every spring. I trust him but am still unsure of the exact cam (and lift)!
The engine (now short block) was pulled out of a one ton some years ago and sits in my shop. Yes I'm hoping it checks out, I would like to keep the stock crank, everything else is open!
The th-350 has already had the shift kit installed and is sitting next to a B&M2500 stall.
The parts were bought and biult for an el-camino but didn't end up needing them, so I already have them, but if I need to will change, side note- I have a factory 4-wheel drive th-400...

I am trying to stay on a budget but I will do whatever it takes to keep this a "happy setup".
Hope that helps thanks!
..

Glen, Don, Dave, and Pat McCarthy and Jerry Clayton can steer you down the straight path, it's what they do to make spendin' money - it sure ain't very narrow, though. I'd like to toss my two cents in, though: in my experience, as to cams and their manners, what might be getting pretty "edgy" in a 350 will turn out to be quite "mannerly" in a 400. I had 400s in most of my work trucks, and never left them be, I just had to mess with them a bit, and they are good engines in my estimation, and make great street/strip pieces. On a different note, the T400 you have will rebuild into a nice heavy duty trans with just the replacement of the output shaft and tailshaft housing from a non-four wheel drive, and a good performance upgrade build; not a tough thing at all.

Originally Posted by double deuce

Thanks, alot of info!

Sorry for leaving out the all important details!

The heads, when I bought them they had already been to the machine shop. I took them to my machinist anyway and had him- boil, crack check, flat check, drill steam holes, install threaded rocker studs and guides, drill out the old push rod holes. As far as valve size they are an original 2.02, the previous machinist installed hardened seats and new valves. The ports have not been touched. The valve springs... my machinist and I had a long talk because I told him I want them to see a half inch of lift (that's why we put the threaded studs in them). This is where my confusion comes in. He told me if we test the pressure of the springs it will tell us and sure enough I was told there "good z-28 springs". He then shimmed/checked the height on every spring. I trust him but am still unsure of the exact cam (and lift)!
The engine (now short block) was pulled out of a one ton some years ago and sits in my shop. Yes I'm hoping it checks out, I would like to keep the stock crank, everything else is open!
The th-350 has already had the shift kit installed and is sitting next to a B&M2500 stall.
The parts were bought and biult for an el-camino but didn't end up needing them, so I already have them, but if I need to will change, side note- I have a factory 4-wheel drive th-400...

I am trying to stay on a budget but I will do whatever it takes to keep this a "happy setup".
Hope that helps thanks!
..

"Z28" springs are usually installed at 1.735" and are good for 0.525" lift before they begin to coil bind. Problem is, they are good only for a flat tappet cam, not a roller tappet cam. If you have read any of my posts, you know that I am opposed to flat tappet cams because everything has to be exactly perfect or you will end up pooching a lifter. Money well spent is installing a roller cam and those springs will not work with a roller cam.