I finnally decided that I'm going to have a 406 put in my car.

Going to be ditching all the emmisions and TBI. Going old school with a carbed set-up.

I just fried my 700R4 tranny. So I was thinking about having it built to work with the 406.

After searching this place I have become quite confused.

I'm wondering if they will work together. In example of the flywheel, starter, bellhousing.

The engine will be a rebuildable core out of a late 70's truck.

 

I'm no expert here.

I have a stroker 400 (420). I'm going to hook it up to my 700R4 late March. My 700R4 was rebulit to handle 600hp. I dont see any problems here. The flexplate need to be setup for 2 piece rear main and will be 168 tooth. Since the 305/350 uses 152 (Might be off a tooth). You'll need a new starter.

 

Where are going to be getting your starter from?


I like the 700R4 because of the OD.

But I may just go to a salvage yard & pull the whole engine and tranny just to be certain that I will have a matching set. The TH350 tranny isn't bad either.

 

I got mine off of another board.
But you can buy the starter off of Summit Racing or Jegs. You can get the universal ones...

 

Yes it can work. It might work with the smaller flex plate, but probably not; it'll definitely work with the large one.

There's no such thing as a "matching set". The parts either fit, or they don't.

 

I've got a remanufactured high-torque big block starter from napa on my 10.xx:1 compression 406 and it works great. Fits easily with Hedman longtubes and only cost 80 or 90 bucks. I would recommend this route. I bought a cheap "high-torque" mini starter off of ebay and the thing crapped out after a month. Like these other guys have said, you will need a 168-tooth flexplate as well.

 

I am your real help right here because I've done it already.
Since ALL 400s are external balanced you have to use 168 tooth flex plate, now the trick with the starter and it depends on your block and headers.
Let me make it a little simple, if you look at your 400 block most likely the two holes for the bolts for the starter are offset (not next each other on the same line), if you do you can not use a regular SBC starter, on the other hand if you are using shorty header like me with 3" collector there is no way in the hell you can fit mini starter at all. Your only solution is to use late model 454 mini starter, yes I said 454 mini starter. For the bell housing it will fit with no problem.
I hope that will help.
Ivan>>>

 

All factory 400s are, but not all rebuilt ones.

 

let me make it a bit better, All stock cranks are external on 400s

 

My 400 is out of a 73 malibu or something like that, I used the stock flywheel, i have hooker long tubes, and a 700R4. I used a LT1 starter on it. I don't see what the big deal is. maybe i missed something.

 

I dont understand all the confusion about the starters with this swap either. You can use a stock 400 starter no problems. I havent had any problems with header clearance. Or turning over the higher compression.

 

The problem I am mentioned was short headers clearance.

 

I had to use a ministarter with my hooker longtubes,,,,no way would the stock starter have fit, And as sais the bolt pattern is different from the other small blocks.

 

I used a downsized starter with the staggered bolt pattern from a mid 90's Chev pickup with the 350 engine. I gave me nice clearance for my Hooker 2210's and for a rebuilt one they aren't a bad price.

 

Yeah I no the bolt pattern is different, thats why its easy to use the stock 400 starter. Ive used three different brands of headers. Hooker, edelbrock, and SLP, all shortys but they never gave me a problem with the stock starter and clearance. Didnt know about the long tubes never used them on a thirdgen.

 

maybe your starter was not stock.
Anyways if you are thinking about swaping 400, with stock flex plate, and some shorty headers Think ahead

 

yep stock replacement 400 starter...heavy as hell...same type ive been using for the last 15 years or so.

 

There was no way that the stock starter would fit with the long tubes.

 

Will on a van which has as tight or tighter an engine compartment than a F-body.

 

There is a big diffrent between stock manifold and headers.