got a 400 block bored .40 over. wel the other day tlaking to a friend of mine's dad and told me that i should tery to get rid of the car b/c it is the 509 casting block. he said they were the worse block produced and i just wanted to see what all of you though before i possible try to get rid of the car

 

Thats one of the good 400 blocks i think... is it a 4 bolt or 2? in the 400's case, the 2 bolt is better than the 4 bolt block, but for a street engine, i doubt it makes a bit of difference in strength.

 

I think I commented on another thread of yours, but there's nothing wrong with the 509 casting, I have one in the garage I'm building this winter. Just make sure you have it magged before you throw money into it (like you should with every block).

 

Even though its a 2 bolt block, the 509 block is much more desirable than the popular 511 4 bolt block. The reason the 509 is better is basically this: The factory 4 bolt blocks acually weaken the webbing in the block, and cause cracks under serious power. 2 bolt blocks main webbing is acually stronger, and much better suited to splayed 4 bolt caps, which you shold DEFINATLEY use.

 

Your dad's friend is wrong...and 88 WS6 TransAm GTA is right...with the exception of the splayed caps...the stock 2 bolt 400's will be fine to 500 HP. Above that, go with splayed caps...and also keep the redline to 6000 rpm. You won't need to rev it to get the power you are looking for.

Good luck,

 

509 blocks were always 2 bolts. The 511 came both 2 and 4 bolt. I am not 100% sure with this one, but I believe that the 509 castings were 185hp stock , and the 511 were 265hp stock. But yes the 2 bolts are more desired as the webbing is stroner this way, but splayed caps over even 500hp is a given.

All in all the 509 block isn't all that desireable, but is not that bad of an engine either if done up porperly.

 

Um it is a 400 block. The heads and cam that came with it might suck but 400ci is 400ci. Unless it is a really really thin wall casting I can't see how it would be any less desireable than any other 400.

 

Well I don't think you read my post well enough now did you The 509 casting is infact 185hp where as the 511 casting is 265hp. I sure see a reason why one is more desireasble right away, don't you? But a 4 bolt 400 is in fact a bit more week and has a tendency to crack the webbing due to the thin design. So all in all 400 ci or not... the one is, and will be more desireable in all accounts. But yes they are both 400ci.

 

the short block has no bearing what so ever on the power output of the engine. The compression ratio means a little but a short block is either strong enough or it breaks dependand on the top of the engine. Unless you are going to actually use the factory heads the factory rated output of an engine means nothing in desireabily. Did you know that the most desireable 350 block came from trucks? Very little HP but thick walls, 4 bolt mains and extra nickle.

EDIT: DOH I forgot it was a foregon comclusion thaqt he had a 4 bolt block. They are more prone to cracking around the mains. Which makes my whole argument an excrecise in idocy . It is still 400 cubic inches though just not good for a really high out put motor. Although what i said still has valid points just not quite in this case.

 

1) the 265 hp version was from like 70-72, then the 73-74s were 150hp or 180hp and then the 75-76 was 175hp...

2) they changed the hp ratings around 72 from gross to net... thats why all engines seemed less powerful on paper... (which they did continue to decline tho)

i wouldnt complain one bit... that guy probably just wants you to say "yeah, i guess youre right... this block sucks.. you want it?" so he can have an awesome engine for nothing....

:hail: 400sbc

 

Come on people!!!!! We are opinionating on a bare 509 casting right?????!!!!!!!!! Not the freakin cam, heads or whatever else just a 509 casting!!! HP rating of the "motors" has nothing to do with the conversation! The 509 casting is a stronger casting and backed up with the splayed mains it is a very desirable BLOCK. In fact I am building a 406 at this moment with a 509 casting block rather than taking the chances with a 4 bolt main. You can decide on the HP rating for your 400 unless you plan on running a stock 400!?

 

my heads came into the shop today so i will try to get some pictures soon to keep you all posted, i decided to go with pro topline 200's so we will see how they go.

jay

 

well on a good note i got the heads today and pictures of them are getting developed. on the bad side they were $1079.15, but that was with the steam holes and all the work the shop did to them.

now i was wondering how am i going to get my original tach to work. im not sure on how to wire it up now that there is no computer. i was told there was a white wire but not where it was or how to splice into it. any help would be nice. thanks, have a good day, i know i have

jay

 

Since you removed that Computer you have to get and older HEI Distrubitor (NON-Computer HEI) and just hook that up the same way: (Tach:IGN). You cannot use the distributor from a computer control unit. Your tach will still work, it was not control by the computer....

 

which wire am i suppsoed to run to the tach plug on the hei?