Thanks guys for your input... I pulled the engine today and set it up on my stand and pulled the intake and head. The #3 and #5 pistons are toast. The pistons look as though they were starved of oil they also looked real heated up (brown). When I turned the engine over all pistons were working and going up and down. On top of the #3 piston almost looked like there was some kind of threaded screw or something...not real sure if it was or not because it was melted into the piston. What I don't get is why the damage would have spread over to the #5 piston. Is there anything else I should look for? The cylinders walls don't look bad, but the #3 cylinder has a slight scuff on one part. the #5 cylinder looks allright.
The engine was not hot when I was driving either it was at 190 degrees. Does anyone else have any thoughts? Can anyone come up with a combo using any of my parts from this Chevy 400 that makes a legit 425HP? All of your replies have been excellent. thanks a bunch!!!!