i have a 88rs thats i want to put a 400 in, but not having a broad knowledge of car history i don't know what cars other than some 70 monte & impalas(not likely to get the block out of one of those though) and some trucks until 80 something having this size engine. of course summit and jegs bu i dont want a $1400 block. im in the middle of tampa fl and its kinda sad i cant find one. if anyone knows more cars to look for or better web sites that might sell remachined blocks, please post

 

I'm finding the exact same problem and I'm from ottawa, ont... so if anyones got any ideas for me, I'm open as well (adding to the thread not stealing...I sware LOL)

 

Some machine shops keep 'stocked up' on used shortblocks. You should call around, see who does that, and if they have any 400s.

 

Most larger towns have a core yard that rebuilders turn to when they have a trashed part on their hands(crank,block,etc.)Look for one of those in your town,but be sure to bring a set of calipers,as these blocks can only bore .040 safely,as a rule.If you are caliper illiterate,buy or borrow a digital one,your looking for 4.155 or less on the bore size.A cheap digital caliper will only set you back around $40 at your local Harbor Freight store,and they are real handy little gadgets to keep around for things like this.
As far as models go,your pretty well dead on as far as what they came in,there were a few in big cars like Caprices,station wagons,etc.One other option is if any local race tracks,drag or stock car,have a website with a message board,every now and then one will turn up on these.
Good luck,and hold out for a 400,I know that 383s are very popular these days,and I'm not knocking them,but they just can't put the power out like a 406

 

alot of mid 70's caprice/impala had 400 sbc....monte carlos also...they are getting harder to find that for sure...I actually got mine from a old truck (POS). bought it just to get the motor..lol...it was actually out of a car thou...

 

I had to drive about 650 miles to pick up my 509 400 engine.

 

Wow,guess we're pretty lucky here in the midwest,the cars rust out from around the good stuff!They are scarce here,but you can still find one

 

Got mine from a 1976 El Camino..

 

Get to know the old car guys in your town. They love to talk cars, know where the good stuffs at and have alot of knowledge. That is how I have bought my last 2 400's the guy had over 36 cores, (only 2 400's) he had collected since mid 70's and decided to downsize. I paid 100.00 for one complete 817 shortblock that was in great shape and 40.00 for a 511 4 bolt block only that needed a fair amount of cleanup(rusty).