i found a 400sb pontiac engine and i was wondering if it i a good deal for $100? it has never been rebuilt and it comes complete with heads, oil pan, dist., etc.. i would like to put it in my car and i just wanted to know what you guys think about it. tia

 

are you sure its not a Small block CHEVY 400?

all the Pontiacs were big blocks.

the 400 Poncho would fit, but it would take some heavy modifying to go in.

if its a chevy 400, then go for it, as long as it runs.

 

No, they arent big blocks. Not small blocks either.

Anyway, to the question, its not a direct bolt in by any means and would take some effort to get it all setup right. I'd shop around for a cheap Chevy block.

 

thanks guys... the quest continues!!

 

Wish I was closer... I'd buy it. Building a Poncho 400 for my 87 Camaro. $100??? the heads alone are worth that, What year is the engine? There is no small/big block, same block size just different bore and stroke. The Pontiac is a torquey engine. Does cost a lot more for parts, for a simple switch find a sb Chevy. If you got $ to throw into it reconsider. Will need BOP tranny. Indian Adventures is in the process of making mounts and headers for this swap.

 

If its a pontiac block I wouldnt get it. IMO, Pontiac, Olds, and Buick engines suck because there isnt a whole lot of aftermarket for them, especially for our cars. Now on the other hand, if its a small block chevy 400 then I would jump on it because a SBC 400 will bolt right in, and the only problems it causes are due to the external balance (flexplate, harmonic balancer).

 

BOP engines smack chevy's up and down the block easy, and they have just as much of a aftermarket as the chevy/ford/mopar. the joys of the BOP engines is you can use most all of the stock parts and make alot of power, and the pontiacs and buicks had great stock heads. the pontiacs had stock 2.11/1.77 valves which that 400 you have will have unless it was a 2bbl engine, but for 100$ you get a steal. also dont forget the 400 P is the same bore/stroke as the chevy, but has MUCH thicker cylinder walls and mains then the 400 C.

 

Thank you TempesT
Not to start a fight but a lot of power from an old Pontiac... Remember the "Judge"? I'm kinda cheating putting BBC Eagle rods and rocker studs in mine with +.030 455 pistons, should walk all around a Chevy 350 or 400. The aftermarket is there but pricier because Ford and Chevy have dominated the market. For $100 buy it and set it aside... good investment. As said before, 6x4 heads are going for that in my area.

 

its a motor out of a 70 pontiac catalina. about 120,000 miles an it has a two barrel manifold.

 

I too am considering the purchase of a poncho 400. Why does everyone say the swap is so difficult? What are the differences in the block that make it so hard? I want to know so I know whether or not to "invest" in a poncho powertrain.

:hail: to the persons that can help

 

its not that hard, all you have to do is test fit the the engine, mark where the motor mounts need to be, drill, install the motor mounts and install the engine, easy as that. but if you want to keep your current trans you need a trans adapter plate, TCI makes one and there about 40$

 

Okay to set all you people strate. A Pontiac 400 is technicly a Small Block. The only reason for that is because it was based on the Pontiac 350 sb. The only reaone why people think that it's a Big Block, is due to the size of the heads. Measurement wise they are bigger then a Chevy 350 and the combustion chamber is also bigger, 91-101cc About 4.5 inch Bores, about 3.5 inche stroke gives the motor huge amount of tourqe. I would say yes it was a good deal to get a 400 for $100... that motor has 10.5:1 compression stock it also will have around 325hp stock. Have fun with your new motor. The motor in my 76 is is out of a 72 catalina.

 

there was an aticle in Hot Rod I think i was, and a guy did the same swap(cept it was a 455, but its the same block as a 400)and he had to relocate the strut towers to clear the exhaust(that wasnt even headers), and had to bash the firewal back.

Also, I was under the impression that the 700r4 was a universal tranny? maybe imthinking the 2004r?

 

with 120K on it , would need a basic rebuild. Find an intake and good quadrajunk... er, quadrajet 4 barrel (I perfer Holley). valves should be 2.11/1.66, would like to know which heads are on it. These wont spin as high as the Chevy but they have the torque! If you change the the cam you will need to put in adjustable valve train, some heads have pressed in rocker studs. Find out what heads it has and can give more info.
Bob

 

ahem...
4.121 bore
3.750 stroke
CR depends on heads, about 8.2 Had my 6x4's milled to 81cc to get 9.5
The exhaust is the main issue (was told it cant be done), as said before Indian Adventures is in process of making headers for this swap. Round ports first, then D ports.

 

pontiac blocks are probley one of the strongest blocks made,they are rare, especally in good shape and are worth allot of money but by no means a direct bolt in, even though all second gen firebirds had them as least at an option, so if you want to convert it's a starting place, for $100 I'd buy it even if not to put in your car, as somthing rare to hold on to