Hi, I just got a 400 smallblock for a really good deal and I want to know if a 400 is any better than a 350. I own a 350 but this 400 is in excellent shape just minor stuff. What kind of advantages and disadvantages would be to go with a 400. Help would be great. Thanxs

 

all I need to know is if I should use the 400 instead of a 350? I need to know fairly soon.

 

The reason I don't like 400s is the thin cylinder wall. Just look at the sides of the block where they actually had to add material just to get the bore that big. They aren't as durable in that they can't be [reliably] bored out when it's time to rebuild it (which if you're getting a block second-hand is usually the thing to do). And some 350s are hard enough to cool as it is, but imagine a 400? Of course, I'm biased, since I live in Florida where it gets hot enough to make that a concern for a car I drive every day. If you don't drive it every day, like around town in city traffic, and since you live so far north, it might not be a problem for you.

 

A properly built 400 will last just fine. As long as your cooling system is up to par, make sure heads have steam holes drilled, and youll be fine. 400 ARE GOOD ENGINES. Go for it!

 

GO WITH THE 400. I BOUGHT A 400 IN A 74 MONTE CARLO NEW AND DROVE IT 165,000 MILES WITH NO PROBLEMS. IN FEB 2001, I HAD IT REBUILT AND PUT IT INTO MY 86 TRANS AM. THE MILEAGE IS HIGHER THAN THE 305 IT REPLACED, A LOT MORE POWER, AND I MEAN A LOT. I CAN COMPARE IT TO MY 90 IROC 350 AND I WOULD SAY IT HAS A LOT MORE LOW END PUNCH. I BUILT A STREET ENGINE AND RUN LOWER RPM WITH BIG TORQUE. BUT IT STILL SCREAMS FROM 60 UP TO 90 IN 3RD. JUST MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A GOOD BLOCK TO START WITH.

 

Good 400 blocks are hard to come by, if you have one, by all means use it.