Okay guys. Building a carbed SBC 400, later will be switching to Mini or Stealth. I am building the motor with the switch in mind down the road. Stock crank and rods, bored +.020. Full roller setup, with 1.5 roller rockers, 7.5" pushrods, and V6 Hyd. lifters. Heads are from a +'87 350, manifold modified to fit bolt angles. Heads were rebuilt at machine shop when the block was machined, but the heads were built using stock 350 springs. I am going to use a LT4 HotCam for this motor, which I believe is going to be too much for stock springs. I understand I need to look for springs with a maximum lift of 200. I am just looking for either advise, words of wisdom, or a cheap set of springs that will not bind under that cam. Thanks, and if I left out any information that will help just ask.

 

if you're looking for cheap springs why not just use what you already have, you don't seem to care much about spring actually working and since you already know the length of the push rods you need why not guess at springs too.

 

glad we have helpful mods

check on summit, and see which springs they recommended.

 

Thank you SellManB...I'll hop on the Summit sight and see what I can dig up. In the meantime, everyone reading this topic, please add comments and or suggestions. Also, as a side subject just brought to my attention, how about a disscussion about how people respond to other people, expressing that they don't know what they need, or where to look for the best options. I have no problem admitting I need help finding a set of springs, since I have never worked on heads before. Did I miss-word my topic? Did I come off sounding like a dummy who needed to be put in his place? The one thing I knew when I posted the topic was that the stock springs would probably bind and cause problems...maybe expensive problems. What do you all feel?
Thanks guys...

 

Maybe I missed it...how is this related to third gen f-bodies? You don't have one listed in the cars you own.

I don't claim to know anything about building engines, so I'm curious how you are building a small block 400. I thought 400s were all big blocks?

 

Very simple. I don't own a 3rd Gen F-body. At first, this SBC 400 was to be a TPI motor. That would have put it more in the realm of the 3rd Gen's because the intake and ECU are way more complicated to me than the engine workings. That's how I found the sight, and it's un-ending pool of kowledgable patrons. As I picked people's brains, asking questions, I soon found out that building a TPI 400, would be a waste of time. Carbing it, or using a Stealth or Mini Ram would be a far better method of fuel injection. For that purpose, I remained on the sight as I continued building this engine, and will do so until it is finished.
For your second question, GM designed the SBC with many CI variations. Here are just a few. 305, 307, 327, 350, 400...They were all small blocks, sharing the same casting, with the occasional small changes. Pontiac's portion of GM motors did in fact use a 400, which was a big block, and obviously Dodge's 400 is a big block. So you are correct that most 400's are big blocks. But in this case, a Chevy 400 is a small block cast the same as any 350 with the exception of the starter location mounting holes...I think. Anyone? Did I miss anything?

 

You missed the site guidelines limiting posts to 3rd gen cars...not engines or induction systems...cars.

I put an LS1 in my 3rd gen, doesn't make it a 4th gen.

Buuuuuhhhh bye.

 

I can't argue that I did indeed miss the "Guidelines" saying a 3rd Gen must be parked in the driveway. Probably because I was invited by a member when I told him of my SBC 400 rebuild, using TPI, going in my 1977 vette. I have to this point not touched on any subject that would not be just as valuable to any 3rd Gen owner, as not. In fact, my spring question, which was the point of this topic, would be fine for any 3rd Gen owner putting a 400 in his car, with binding springs. Is that incorrect?

 

no it wouldn't it's a site for thirdgen f bodys, ask the questions and leave any referance to what it's going in out if it's not a thirdgern f body and it'll work

 

My fault! I asked, he answered. Up till now he hasn't mentioned a specific vehicle it was going in.